Israelite Camp Around the Tabernacle from AboveBible World
40:36Exodus 40:36
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
When the cloud was taken up and lifted from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward and resumed their journeys in all their travels, and while it remained and rested low directly over the tabernacle they stayed encamped. The lifting of the cloud was the signal that it was time to resume the journey, and its remaining there meant the people were to stay where they were. The cloud and the fire guided Israel throughout the wilderness travels, and the portable tabernacle accompanied them as they traveled, so the cloud's lifting and resting directed their travels and signaled God's direction and presence.
God Himself decided when Israel should camp and when they should journey by the pillar of cloud, rather than leaving their movements to careless choice. When it was for the good of the people and for His glory that they pitch their tents in a certain place, He showed His will by causing the cloud to rest directly over the tabernacle, where it stayed until He wanted them to move again, and its lifting was the signal to go onward. All journeying under that signal required perfect order and organized discipline under appointed order rather than indiscriminate or independent action. Every tribe marched and pitched under its own standard bearing its distinguishing sign, with the sacred ark borne only as appointed in the midst under the Levites, and with Moses and Aaron and the trumpets giving direction.
The cloud resting on the tabernacle was a continuing sign that God was with Israel and guiding them, and its presence distinguished Israel from other nations. Christ Himself was with Israel in the wilderness as their instructor, teacher and guide leading them onward in their journeys, and His glory dwelt in the tabernacle in the holy shekinah above the mercy-seat, as it afterward did in the temple, constantly manifesting the riches of His love and patience in their behalf. That presence and guidance belonged to God's design to make Israel a praise and a glory, giving them every spiritual advantage and withholding nothing favorable to forming a character that would represent Himself. Through Israel He designed to impart rich blessings to all peoples and to prepare the way for diffusing His light to the whole world when the nations had lost knowledge of Him through corrupt practices, giving opportunity to know Him through His church and making the principles revealed through His people the means of restoring in man the moral image of God, a purpose that holds for His institutions today.
By application, the cloud's lifting marks readiness to move when God directs, and its settling signifies that God's people should work in that place.
When the cloud was taken up and lifted from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward and resumed their journeys in all their travels, and while it remained and rested low directly over the tabernacle they stayed encamped. The lifting of the cloud was the signal that it was time to resume the journey, and its remaining there meant the people were to stay where they were. The cloud and the fire guided Israel throughout the wilderness travels, and the portable tabernacle accompanied them as they traveled, so the cloud's lifting and resting directed their travels and signaled God's direction and presence.
God Himself decided when Israel should camp and when they should journey by the pillar of cloud, rather than leaving their movements to careless choice. When it was for the good of the people and for His glory that they pitch their tents in a certain place, He showed His will by causing the cloud to rest directly over the tabernacle, where it stayed until He wanted them to move again, and its lifting was the signal to go onward. All journeying under that signal required perfect order and organized discipline under appointed order rather than indiscriminate or independent action. Every tribe marched and pitched under its own standard bearing its distinguishing sign, with the sacred ark borne only as appointed in the midst under the Levites, and with Moses and Aaron and the trumpets giving direction.
The cloud resting on the tabernacle was a continuing sign that God was with Israel and guiding them, and its presence distinguished Israel from other nations. Christ Himself was with Israel in the wilderness as their instructor, teacher and guide leading them onward in their journeys, and His glory dwelt in the tabernacle in the holy shekinah above the mercy-seat, as it afterward did in the temple, constantly manifesting the riches of His love and patience in their behalf. That presence and guidance belonged to God's design to make Israel a praise and a glory, giving them every spiritual advantage and withholding nothing favorable to forming a character that would represent Himself. Through Israel He designed to impart rich blessings to all peoples and to prepare the way for diffusing His light to the whole world when the nations had lost knowledge of Him through corrupt practices, giving opportunity to know Him through His church and making the principles revealed through His people the means of restoring in man the moral image of God, a purpose that holds for His institutions today.
By application, the cloud's lifting marks readiness to move when God directs, and its settling signifies that God's people should work in that place.