"Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lords’ command wherever he told them to go.
Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle.”
Numbers 9:17-18
The Cloud the Israelites followed was not a storm cloud…it was a cloud of protection and guidance. Whether it lingered one night, two weeks, or several months, when the Cloud lifted, the Israelites packed their bags and followed, moving only when the Cloud moved.
Consequently, I would think the first item on everyone’s agenda each morning would be to look out their tent door and see if the Cloud had moved! At all times, people had to be aware of its position, so the Cloud became their focus.
I wonder if the Israelites ever complained when the Cloud remained in one place too long. I remember grumbling about some extended years at an unwanted camp site. I told God, “We could have been there by now!” But did I really know where there was? God knew, and He was preparing me for the steps HE knew were needed to get there. Finally, after reading this passage I wrote in my journal, “Even if I end up camping here for a while, I will leave at HIS command and do whatever HE tells me!”
Did the Israelites know the right direction, the kind of terrain ahead, or the length of the journey? No. They simply had to keep their focus on the Cloud of God's Presence…great advice for me too!
