Topical Bible: Pillar: As a Road Sign

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In biblical times, pillars served not only as structural supports or memorials but also as significant markers or road signs. These pillars were often erected to commemorate divine encounters, covenantal events, or to serve as navigational aids in the landscape of the ancient Near East.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

1. Jacob's Pillar at Bethel: One of the most notable instances of a pillar serving as a sign is found in the account of Jacob. After his dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, Jacob set up a stone pillar at Bethel as a memorial of God's promise to him. This pillar acted as a signpost of divine encounter and promise. Genesis 28:18-19 states, "Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it, and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz."

2. Pillars as Boundary Markers: In the ancient world, pillars often marked territorial boundaries or significant locations. These stone markers served as road signs, guiding travelers and delineating sacred or significant spaces. In Genesis 31:45-52, Jacob and Laban set up a heap of stones and a pillar as a witness to their covenant, serving as a boundary marker between them.

3. Pillars in the Wilderness: During the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them through the wilderness. These pillars were divine road signs, ensuring the Israelites knew the path they were to take. Exodus 13:21 records, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night."

4. Memorial Pillars: Joshua set up twelve stones as a memorial after crossing the Jordan River, serving as a sign for future generations to remember the miraculous crossing. Joshua 4:20-22 states, "And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future, when your children ask their fathers, "What is the meaning of these stones?" you are to tell them, "Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground."'"

Theological Implications

Pillars as road signs in the Bible often symbolize God's guidance, faithfulness, and the establishment of His promises. They serve as tangible reminders of spiritual truths and divine interventions. These markers not only directed physical journeys but also pointed to spiritual realities, encouraging the faithful to remember God's past deeds and trust in His future guidance.

In the broader biblical narrative, pillars as road signs underscore the importance of remembering and commemorating God's work in the lives of His people. They invite believers to reflect on their spiritual journey, recognizing the markers of God's presence and direction in their own lives.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 20:19
And when you have stayed three days, then you shall go down quickly, and come to the place where you did hide yourself when the business was in hand, and shall remain by the stone Ezel.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Guiding Pillar
... and therefore quick to perceive, the slightest sign of motion ... We need perpetual
watchfulness lest the pillar should lift ... our tents and take to the road, if God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the guiding pillar.htm

Christ the Light of the World.
... A road as it lies in the distance often looks impassably ... we are not consulted in
the matter; as the pillar of fire ... God does not now lead us by a sign which we ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xviii christ the light of.htm

From a Hindu Point of view
... bells here in the compound and out on the road, and there is ... The pillar on which
stands this infernal spike has three circles scored into it, sign of the ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxvi from a hindu.htm

The Light of the World
... journey will be over, and 'the fiery, cloudy pillar,' that 'guided ... are cleared out
of a man's road by the ... the cloud resting on the Tabernacle"a sign that for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the light of the world.htm

The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
... prescribes that we should walk, but that road in which ... dominion; to the other they
were the sign of their ... The pillar which symbolised the presence of God sent ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two-fold aspect of the.htm

In Judaea
... Yet a third time was Rachel's pillar, twice before ... there also passed the great
caravan-road, which connected ... And this increasingly, as sign after sign seemed ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... there were no Moses, no Jethro, no manna, no pillar? ... and pains are met on the road
of departure ... Tearing their dresses, in sign of mourning, they bravely ring ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

The Charge to the Soldier of the Lord
... what may be waiting round the next turn of the road. ... drop down from the pure
supernatural of the guiding pillar. ... The ark was the sign that God had entered into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the charge to the soldier.htm

Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
... of daily life may have in them a sign of our ... a thing by itself and unapproachable,
a solitary pillar rising up ... tokens that Jesus has been on the road before us? ...
/.../suffering with christ a condition.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... the army, and leaving the level, dust-cushioned road behind, plunged ... fire, climbing
in and out of the pillar's heart ... At a sign from the king, the messenger came ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm