What did the cloud do at the Red Sea?
At the Red Sea, the cloud protected the Israelites from the Egyptian onslaught. To the Egyptians it became black darkness, but to the Jews it was protection. At night it became the pillar of fire. This was the same cloud that later rested over the Holy of Holies.
Les explains that the cloud at the Red Sea was the same cloud that later came and rested over the Holy of Holies, the very presence of the glory of God, called the Shekinah glory in other places. At the Red Sea, the only thing that protected Israel from the onslaught of the Egyptians was the cloud. To the Egyptians it became black darkness, while to the Israelis, the Jews, it was His protection, and at night it became the pillar of fire. That same cloud later covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so that even Moses could not enter.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
See the restMore Questions
Was the cloud over the tabernacle the same as the cloud at the Red Sea?
The cloud that came and rested over the tabernacle was the same cloud that first appeared when Israel came out of Goshen and encamped by the Red Sea.