Numbers 9:22
Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
As long as the cloud rested upon the tabernacle, whether for two days or a month or a year, Israel stayed in camp and did not travel, but when it lifted high they set out, its resting low being the sign to remain and its rising the sign to move. This waiting and moving was for their good and for God's glory, training them in submission, discipline and united action under His order, with every tribe in its appointed place around the tabernacle and marching under its own standard with the ark going before them. The cloud was the presence of Christ leading, directing, guarding and protecting them through the wilderness, calling for trust and praise instead of murmuring. It stands as the pattern for halting or advancing with God's Spirit rather than by one's own plans, waiting cheerfully where He keeps one, following when He leads, and trusting Him through difficulties even when the way ahead cannot be seen.
How the Cloud Guided Israel
The cloud resting over the tabernacle meant stay, and its being lifted up meant move, so whether it tarried two days or a month or a year the children of Israel abode in their tents and journeyed not, but when it was taken up they journeyed. God signified His will to pitch in a certain place by causing the cloud to rest low directly over the tabernacle, and it remained there until He would have them journey again, when the cloud of glory was lifted up high above the tabernacle. The Lord thus directed the Israelites in all their travels through the wilderness, with the cloud's position directing when and where they journeyed.
This staying and moving was for the good of the people and for the glory of God. It taught subjection and thorough discipline and harmonious action under divine arrangement instead of each pursuing his own course independent of his brethren. In all their journeying and camping they observed perfect order, each tribe camping in its commanded position around the tabernacle at a distance under its own standard with the sign of its father's house, and marching in order under its own standard when they traveled. When they journeyed the ark of the covenant was borne before them, and when they rested the tabernacle was erected with the tribes pitched about it in that order.
The cloud was Christ's presence as the light of the world, by whom they were led through the forty years in the wilderness. By it He gave directions and watched over them, with angels watching over them and Christ protecting them throughout their journey. Their proper response to this guidance was to trust and praise God rather than murmur or complain.
On the very border of Canaan with only the Jordan between them and the promised land, after victory over the Amorites and the hosts of Bashan, Israel kept their eyes fixed on the cloudy pillar with eager expectation for it to lead them on. It gave no sign of moving but hovered above the tops of the mountains overshadowing the tabernacle, so they remained in suspense and waiting. Moses used the delay to prepare them for permanent occupation of Canaan.
Waiting for God's Direction
Israel's camping and marching give the pattern for halting or advancing in step with the guidance of God's Spirit rather than following plans of one's own. To stay while the cloud remained over the tabernacle, whether for two days or a month or a year, and to journey when it was lifted, is to keep pace with God. Keeping pace with Him in this way means continual spiritual advancement and makes human cooperation with divine power possible.
That cooperation calls for waiting cheerfully where He keeps one, following when He leads, and trusting Him through difficulties even when the way ahead cannot be seen. Readiness to move just when the cloud moves is the only safe course. It means moving understandingly and prayerfully under God's direction, praying for Him to direct and trusting He is willing to make known early where to locate His work such as a publishing house. His providence signifies when to leave a place, and His people are to be ready to move to another location when He directs.
The same principle governs moving to another field of labor and abiding where one is until God directs a move elsewhere. While the cloud did not move there was no direction to depart. Changes should be made when the cloud moves, at a time that brings progress rather than defeat. Applied to the work, this teaches to keep and strengthen the interests already begun and to follow when God opens the way, without launching plans or occupying more ground than available workers and means can serve well.
The same rule was applied to waiting for God's direction before leaving California for camp meetings. The cloud's continued presence represents a camp meeting's continuing necessity, so because it had not been lifted the tents were not to be taken down yet and the meeting was to continue. Its continuance gives the people time to seek the Lord and to share the warning message while they are under conviction.