Numbers 10:33
And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.
The march resumed from Sinai toward Kadesh on the borders of Canaan when the cloud gave the signal for onward movement. Only eleven days' journey lay between Sinai and Kadesh, and the prospect was of speedily entering the goodly land. The people were encouraged by the wonders wrought in bringing them from Egypt, by having covenanted to accept God as sovereign, and by having been acknowledged as His chosen people from whom great blessings could be expected.
They left Sinai with reluctance after a long encampment there and had come to regard it almost as home. Within the shelter of its granite walls God had gathered them apart from other nations to repeat His holy law. They loved to look on the sacred mount where divine glory had often been displayed, feeling the scene so joined to the presence of God and holy angels that it was too sacred to leave thoughtlessly or gladly.
The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journey to search out a resting place for them, a sacred chest containing God's holy law. God Himself directed Israel in all their travels through the wilderness for His glory and their good. His will to pitch and abide was signified by the pillar of cloud resting directly over the tabernacle, and His will to journey again by the cloud being lifted high above the tabernacle, with the cloud of the Lord upon them by day when they journeyed. Moses followed the route marked by the guiding cloud.
All their journeyings and resting were in perfect order, with the people traveling in ordered groups with every tribe marching under its own standard bearing the sign of its father's house. When they rested the tabernacle was erected and the tribes pitched their tents in order around it at a distance in just the positions God commanded. The ark, borne by the sons of Kohath, led the van, with Moses and Aaron going before it and priests bearing silver trumpets stationed near. Those priests received directions from Moses and communicated them to the people by the trumpets, whereupon the leaders of each company gave definite directions for every movement as indicated by the trumpets, and whoever neglected to comply was punished with death.
When the ark set out Moses asked God to scatter Israel's enemies, and when it rested he asked God to return to Israel. After Israel had traveled three days complaints arose, placed after this three-day journey. That dissatisfaction was directed at the route even though the people knew it was under divine guidance.
The leading of Israel shows God's order and system, for God is a God of order and everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, with subjection and thorough discipline marking the movements of the angelic host. Success comes only by order and harmonious action. The same order and system required in the days of Israel is required now, and all who work for Him are to labor intelligently and not in a careless, haphazard manner, doing His work with faith and exactness that He may place the seal of His approval upon it.