Números 9

Números 9

Morris - So it was alway. This was another daily miracle during the wilderness years, in addition to the manna and the water. The "shekinah" cloud, assuring the people of God's continual presence (Exodus 33:14), guided them by day and night from the time they built the tabernacle until this time (Exodus 40:36,38). (Defender's Study Bible) TSK - This cloud not only enlightened the Israelites, but also protected them, and was a continual pledge of God's presence and protection. To this manifestation of the Divine glory, the prophet Isaiah alludes, when he says, (Isa 4:5,) "The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night." God is the director, protector, and glory of His people. Numbers 9:17 Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp. when the cloud: Nu 10:11,33,34 Ex 40:36-38 Ps 80:1,2 Isa 49:10 Joh 10:3-5,9 and in the: Ex 33:14,15 Ps 32:8 73:24 Joh 10:3,4,9 FOLLOWING THE STARTS AND STOPS OF THE CLOUD Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp Irving Jensen explains that "If up to this point there was any question in an Israelite’s mind as to who was really the captain leading the hosts and planning the strategy, there could be none now. For in a clearly visible, undeniably miraculous way, the caller of the signals, the Captain of the hosts, was identified—the God of creation. The visible object was a miraculous cloud. That the cloud was miraculous is seen by the facts: (1) it never dissipated; (2) it did not move according to normal meteorological functions—it might even tarry in one spot for an indefinite period (Nu 9:22); (3) at night it took on the appearance of fire (Nu 9:16). The sequence was not, whenever the Israelites stopped the cloud stopped. Rather, whenever the cloud stopped the Israelites were to stop. The principle was that of leadership and following. If the cloud moved, the Israelites must follow; if the cloud stopped, the Israelites must obey (Nu 9:17). (Ibid) Numbers 9:18 At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped. at the: Nu 9:20 10:13 Ex 17:1 2Jn 1:6 as long as: 1Co 10:1 At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped Irving Jensen explains that "The action of the cloud was very explicitly identified with the voice of the Lord as Captain: “At the commandment of Jehovah the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Jehovah they encamped” (Nu 9:18). Again and again in Nu 9:15–23 this point is reiterated. In no other place in Numbers is this emphasis by repetition even matched. The point must have been clear to the Israelites: follow the signals of God!" (Ibid) THOUGHT - "Note the sequence: obeying the Lord, waiting on the Lord, following the Lord. God has His times and His routes, and we must watch for His leading. Perhaps the most difficult time for us is when God tarries and we have to wait (Nu 9:19). It is also the most dangerous time, for human nature wants to rush ahead. We must “rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” (Ps. 37:7+). Never be afraid of the will of God; God’s will is the expression of God’s love, and it comes from His heart (Ps. 33:11). It is food, not medicine (John 4:31–34), and nourishes us as we obey. Oswald Chambers was correct when he said, “Doing God’s will is never hard. The only thing that is hard is not doing His will.” Are you doing His will now?" (