cloud
In this Sunday’s reading from the book of Numbers 11:25–29 (NABRE), God comes down “in a cloud.” This is a rather common occurrence in the Torah, and a brief look at what’s going on with the language may help us understand why.
The Hebrew word for cloud, עָנָן (anan), is related to the word meaning “to cover” or “to veil over.” Clouds can be seen as the veil that separates heaven (the sky) from earth—just as there is a veil in the Temple at Jerusalem that separates the holy of holies from the rest of the Temple.
Why is such a veil necessary? Prior to Christ, we know from the book of Exodus 33:20 (NABRE) that no one can see God’s face and live. When God comes before people, then, he covers or veils his face with a cloud.
you also may like our two-part study of the prophets
Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided examines the prophets in historical context using the First and Second Books of the Kings and other Old Testament passages written before the Babylonian Exile. Volume II: Restoration & Redemption looks at the post-exilic prophets. This 51-lesson Catholic Bible study builds on The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King. Click on these links to view a lesson from Volume I and another from Volume II.
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