Numbers 9:20, commentary and pictures

God himself decided for Israel's good and for his glory when and where to camp and when to journey, by the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle resting low upon it as the sign to pitch and abide until he would have them move, and being lifted high above it as the signal to set out. Even when the cloud remained only a few days they stayed in their tents the whole time it rested over the tabernacle and journeyed only at the Lord's command, taking its continued presence to mean it was not yet time to break camp. That cloud was the presence of Christ guiding and protecting them through the wilderness, showing them where to rest and when to move and watching over them in all their travels. In all their abiding and journeying they were bound to perfect order and thorough discipline in pitching by tribes under their standards around the tabernacle and in marching under trumpet signals, because God is particular about reverence for holy things. The same God of order still requires his people to halt readily when he directs and to move understandingly and prayerfully when he leads, trusting and following him even when the way ahead cannot be seen.

Cloud Guided Israel's Journey

God himself decided for the people's good and for his glory when and where Israel camped and when they journeyed, by the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle. When they were to pitch their tents and abide in a place, he signified his will by causing the cloud to rest low directly over the tabernacle, and it remained there until he would have them move again. When he would have them journey, the cloud of glory was lifted up high above the tabernacle as the signal to set out, and then they journeyed. Its low position marked the place to stay and its lifting marked the time to move, so that according to his command they pitched and according to his command they journeyed.

Even when the cloud stayed only a few days, the people remained in their tents for as long as it remained over the tabernacle and journeyed only according to the commandment of the Lord, rather than deciding for themselves when to move. Its continued presence meant it was not yet time to break camp, and its stopping and lifting marked where to camp and when to travel, whether halting or setting out. They stayed in camp while it rested and moved when it lifted, governed in all their movements by his command in readiness to follow his guidance. They were to remain where he placed them and follow when he led them onward, trusting and obeying even through difficulties and when the way ahead could not be seen.

In all their abiding and journeying they were required to observe perfect order and thorough discipline, every tribe under its own standard and moving together instead of each choosing his own course. Abiding meant erecting the tabernacle, which was made to be taken to pieces and borne with them, with every tribe pitching in its commanded position around it at a distance under its own standard bearing the sign of its father's house. Journeying meant marching in order under their standards with the ark of the covenant borne before them and the cloud upon them by day, with the appointed Levite families bearing and setting up the tabernacle. Moses and Aaron went before the ark, and the sons of Aaron gave distinct trumpet signals received from Moses that all were bound to hear and obey without confusion of movement. Disobedience, willful ignorance, curiosity, disorder, or coming near or touching the sanctuary and its furniture was on pain of death, because God is particular about the sacredness and reverence of holy things; and the same God of order requires order, discipline, and united harmonious action from his people now.

The cloud was Christ's presence guiding and protecting Israel through the wilderness, showing them where to rest and when to move and watching over them throughout their travels, and Jesus Christ led them during those forty years.

Ready Obedience Today

The verse teaches readiness to halt when God directs and to move when He leads, with abiding or journeying always according to His command rather than by human choice. To follow such guidance is to advance rather than to stand still, refusing to choose one's own course. It is to move understandingly and prayerfully, trusting God and following His direction even through difficulties and when the way ahead cannot be seen. The cloud resting and then lifting gave Israel guidance for the journey, for they were to remain where God placed them and follow onward when He led.

Applied to locating the publishing house, the lesson is prayerful readiness to move when God directs. The only safe course is to be ready to move just when the cloud moves, praying for His direction and following His providence as the sign to leave Battle Creek. There is assurance that the Lord is willing to make known right early where to locate the publishing house.

Where the cloud has not lifted there is no direction to depart, for its continued presence means it is not yet time to break camp. Applied to gatherings, this means the camp meeting remains necessary and should continue while the cloud has not moved. The people are therefore to remain where they are and keep seeking the Lord and giving the warning message.

Applied to the work, the verse teaches to stay or to go according to God's direction rather than acting from uncertainty or personal preference. An existing effort is to be maintained and strengthened until God opens the way to move on, without expanding beyond the help and means available to complete the work well. The cloud's movement sets the time for travel and marks the right time for action, so waiting for God's direction before acting is required. Changes should wait until He indicates that the time has come, so that they can be made in victory rather than defeat.