Exodus ends with a summary of what followed. The Israelites packed up and moved whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle. The cloud during the day and pillar of fire at night were ever-present reminders of God’s presence and guidance and of His grace and mercy.

The cloud and pillar were what the people followed out of Egypt the year before. Although the people had grumbled against God repeatedly, even though they had rebelled against Him by worshipping the golden calf, the book ends with His leading them the same way. He was faithful, even as they were faithless at times. He would continue to be faithful, even after the people refused to enter the land He had given them.

It’s a fitting end to the book. God’s unchanging faithfulness on display for a people who did not deserve it. It’s a fitting picture for God’s relationship with Israel of the Old Testament, and it is a fitting picture for us. It is a picture of the Gospel.

• How have you seen God’s undeserved faithfulness in your life?