Exodus 40:38, commentary and pictures

The cloud of the Lord by day and fire by night rested upon and over the tabernacle as a visible pillar, at times resting low and directly over it, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their wilderness journeys. That resting presence showed that God had accepted the tabernacle and had come to dwell among the people, with His glory as the holy Shekinah above the mercy seat. The tabernacle itself was made to be dismantled and carried with them, so that His dwelling moved with their moving.

The cloud directed when Israel should camp and when they should travel: while it remained over the tabernacle they stayed, camped and rested, and when it lifted they set out and journeyed again. Its resting in a place marked God's will for them to pitch their tents and remain in that exact place, including to work there, until He would have them journey again. All such encamping and journeying under that sign was under the Lord's guidance and was to be done in perfect order, with each tribe traveling and pitching its tents under its own standard as commanded, and with His requirements followed carefully and not carelessly.

The sign continually reminded the people of the living God and assured them that He was near, directing, guiding and caring for them, inspiring awe and gratitude, and it helped Moses lead the people and point them toward right actions. Christ Himself was with Israel in the wilderness as their instructor and guide, and His continual presence among them revealed His love and patience. After the death of Moses the cloud by day and fire by night assured Israel that God had not left them, and that He would continue to guide and help them if they walked in the way of His commandments. The cloud's movement is thus a pattern for readiness to relocate when God directs, marking the time and place to move, as in leaving Battle Creek for the publishing work when His providence indicates.