Numbers 9:21
And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
God himself decided where Israel should camp and when they should journey, by the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle, for their good and for his glory. While the cloud rested low over the tabernacle they stayed in camp, and when it lifted high above the tabernacle they journeyed, even when it abode only from evening until morning, whether it was taken up by day or by night, then and not till then. The cloud, which is Christ as the light of the world, thus marked the Lord's direction for when to rest and when to move, leading and protecting them and watching over them by day and by night. So his people still are to adjust their movements to the guidance of his Spirit rather than their own plans, keeping advancing when he leads and remaining where he guides them to remain, ready to move understandingly and prayerfully just when the cloud moves.
God's Guidance by Cloud
God himself decided where Israel should camp and when they should journey, by the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle, and he did so for the good of the people and for his glory. When it was for their good and his glory to pitch in a certain 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 journey again. While the cloud rested low the people stayed in camp, and when the cloud of glory was lifted high above the tabernacle that lifting was his signal to journey. Their stopping and going was not left to individual choice but was under his direction, and their encamping and journeying were under perfect order that he required in all their movements. That order placed each tribe in its commanded place under its own standard around the tabernacle, both in camp and on the march.
Even when the cloud abode only from evening until morning and was taken up in the morning, they journeyed; whether it was taken up by day or by night, they journeyed then and not till it was taken up. The descent of the cloud marked the place of encampment, and as long as it rested they remained in camp, and when it lifted they pursued their journey. While it hovered over the tabernacle and gave no sign of moving, the people remained in place, eager to follow it toward Canaan. The tabernacle was constructed to be taken to pieces and borne with them in all their journeyings, with the ark containing the law of God borne before them and the cloud of the Lord upon them by day. Both the halt and the departure were marked by a solemn invocation in which Moses asked the Lord to rise up and scatter his enemies when the ark set forward and to return to the many thousands of Israel when it rested.
The cloud marked the Lord's direction for when to rest and when to move, and its presence led and protected them and watched over them by day and by night along the way. The cloud is Christ as the light of the world directing the people when to rest and when to move, and Jesus Christ himself led the people through the wilderness in it.
Following the Cloud Today
Israel journeyed whenever the cloud lifted, even after resting only from evening until morning or at night, and the movements of the cloud directed when to advance and when to halt. God's people are to adjust their movements to the guidance of His Spirit in the same way, keeping advancing when He leads and not remaining where they are. To stop spiritual progress is to decline, while to follow His guidance brings harmony with Him and enables cooperation with divine power. That following means following the guidance of His Spirit rather than their own plans, trusting their Leader through difficulties, remaining where He guides to remain and going onward when He directs, even when the way ahead cannot be seen. The only safe course is to be ready to move just when the cloud moves, which is to move understandingly and prayerfully under God's direction, praying for Him to direct, trusting He is willing to make known early where to go, and following His providence when He signifies it is time to leave one place and locate the work in another.
The same readiness applies to deciding where to locate the publishing house, where the safe course is to be prepared to move when God indicates the time and place. When the cloud remains over the tabernacle the tents are not to be taken down, but the people are to stay and continue seeking the Lord and giving the warning message. A camp meeting is therefore to continue while it remains necessary and while the people are under conviction. The principle also governs waiting for God's direction to move from a place of labor, whether remaining in California and continuing writing until God calls to move, or remaining at home until God directs to go elsewhere.
Applied to the work, it means keeping up an existing effort until God opens the way, then following His leading rather than moving ahead of it. While the cloud does not move there is no direction to leave, so no move should be made. Changes are to be made when the cloud moves, at the time God indicates, rather than through human haste.