In biblical terminology, the concept of a "rearguard" refers to the protection and defense provided to the rear of a moving group, often in a military context. This term is used metaphorically in the Scriptures to describe God's protective presence over His people, ensuring their safety from behind as they advance.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 14:19-20: In the account of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, the angel of God and the pillar of cloud moved from before the Israelites to behind them, serving as a rearguard. "Then the Angel of God, who had been traveling in front of the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them, so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So all night long neither camp went near the other."

2. Isaiah 52:12: The prophet Isaiah speaks of God's assurance to the Israelites as they prepare to leave Babylonian captivity. "For you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." This passage emphasizes that God not only leads His people but also protects them from behind, ensuring their complete safety.

3. Isaiah 58:8: In a passage discussing the blessings of true fasting and righteousness, Isaiah declares, "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." Here, the rearguard is associated with the glory of the Lord, symbolizing divine protection and the assurance of God's presence.

Theological Significance:

The concept of the rearguard in Scripture underscores the comprehensive nature of God's protection over His people. It illustrates that God is not only a guide and leader but also a protector who ensures that His followers are safe from any threats that may arise from behind. This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness and His commitment to the well-being of His people.

In the context of spiritual warfare, the rearguard can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual protection that God provides to believers. Just as a military rearguard defends against surprise attacks from behind, God shields His people from spiritual dangers and unseen threats. This protection is part of the broader armor of God that believers are encouraged to put on, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Practical Application:

For believers today, the imagery of God as a rearguard offers comfort and assurance. It reminds Christians that they are never alone in their journey of faith. As they move forward in obedience to God's call, they can trust that He is both leading them and protecting them from behind. This understanding encourages a life of faith, free from fear of the unknown, and confident in the Lord's sovereign care.

A Path in the Sea
... When an army has to ford a river in the face of hostile forces, the hazardous operation
is possible only if a strong rearguard is left on the enemy's side, to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

That Divine Love More Excellently Sanctifies the virtues when they ...
... him, we do not fail to give each part of his army due credit for its own share;
we say that the vanguard did this, the main body that, the rearguard the other ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv that divine love.htm

'Is it I?'
... The man 'who fears no fall' is sure to have one. It is perilous to march through
an enemy's country in loose order, without scouts and rearguard. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/is it i.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... prayers which date from before the time of our Lord; [5190] in the formula from
age to age,' world without end,' it forms, so to speak, the rearguard to every ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm

Israel in Egypt
... Let us be of good cheer: the rearguard shall soon be where the vanguard already
is; the last of the chosen shall soon have landed; the last of God's elect ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

Rearguard (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rearguard (3 Occurrences). Joshua 6:9 And the armed
men went before the priests who blew with the trumpets ...
/r/rearguard.htm - 7k

Marching (17 Occurrences)
... Joshua 6:9 And the armed men went before the priests who blew with the trumpets,
and the rearguard came after the ark; they blew with the trumpets in marching. ...
/m/marching.htm - 12k

Reared (22 Occurrences)

/r/reared.htm - 13k

Rear-guard (4 Occurrences)
Rear-guard. Rearguard, Rear-guard. Rearing . Multi-Version Concordance
Rear-guard (4 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Rearguard, Rear-guard. Rearing . Reference
/r/rear-guard.htm - 7k

Blast-trumpets (3 Occurrences)
... seven blast-trumpets before the ark of Jehovah went on and blew continually with
the trumpets; and the armed men went before them, and the rearguard went after ...
/b/blast-trumpets.htm - 7k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... There was a rearguard (called in the King James Version "rereward," in the Revised
Version (British and American) "rearward") to give protection on the march ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

War (529 Occurrences)
... There was a rearguard (called in the King James Version "rereward," in the Revised
Version (British and American) "rearward") to give protection on the march ...
/w/war.htm - 64k

Carrying (88 Occurrences)
... seven blast-trumpets before the ark of Jehovah went on and blew continually with
the trumpets; and the armed men went before them, and the rearguard went after ...
/c/carrying.htm - 32k

Dawn (70 Occurrences)
... break forth as the dawn, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy
righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of Jehovah shall be thy rearguard. ...
/d/dawn.htm - 28k

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