Hebrews 12:1 English Standard Version
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Exodus 13:21-22 English Standard Version
21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
This great cloud of witnesses refers back to Hebrews 11, the faith chapter of the bible. There is listed a number of men of faith and they are examples of men of faith but why the expression “a cloud of witnesses”? This letter to the Hebrews is filled with historical markers they could relate to in the experiences of their ancestors, men that walked before them. They would have remembered the days gone past that this cloud would have significant meaning. We might miss the point if it were not for the Old Testament writings.
Did Hebrews 12:1 remind you of Exodus 13? Do you have a vision of what it must be like to follow the millions that went before us by faith? Those in the forefront had a clear view of the pillar of cloud that they followed. The people in the back, the ones furthest from the pillar might not see the pillar at all because of the dust being kicked up by those in front of them. At some point they would have relied on the faith of others to lead them.
At this point in our walk Hebrews 12:1 takes on significant meaning.
Nahum 1:3b English Standard Version (ESV) His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.