The cloud over the tabernacle was no ordinary cloud. It was a dramatic symbol of God’s presence and the means by which the Lord directed His people’s movements.
On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant, and from evening until morning it was over the tabernacle, having the appearance of fire.
It was always so: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night.
Whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, then the Israelites would set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the Israelites would camp (Numbers 9:15-17).
Verse 16’s phrase, “it was always so,” signifies that if the cloud of fire’s presence were ever missing, something would be wrong. The good news for the Israelites was that they experienced the constant presence of the cloud and a sense of comfort and protection for the people.
Verse 17 uses two verbs to describe the cloud’s presence as a symbol of God’s nearness: one means “to cover,” and the other means “to settle.” The verb “to settle” is used in the expression “wherever the cloud settles,” forming the basis for the concept of the Shekinah glory.
Although “Shekinah” is not a biblical word, it is derived from the verb meaning “to dwell.” The Hebrew text resonates with the sound of “Shekinah,” as this verb also forms the root of the term “tabernacle.”
John used the Greek form of “tabernacle” to describe the activity of Jesus in his prologue to the Gospel.
And the Word became flesh and lived [Greek – tabernacled] among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
The cloud served as a primary means by which God communicated with His people and directed the movements and resting periods of Israel.
At the command of the Lord the Israelites would set out, and at the command of the Lord they would camp. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they would remain in camp.
Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites would keep the charge of the Lord and would not set out.
Sometimes the cloud would remain a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they would remain in camp; then according to the command of the Lord they would set out (Numbers 9:18-20).
Reflection
As I sit at my computer and write this reflection, I imagine Henry Blackby speaking to me: “Bob, this is precisely why we shouldn’t make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should recognize God’s presence, discover where He is working, and join Him in His activity.”
If this cloud of fire holds any meaning for modern readers, Blackaby’s imagined conversation with me, rooted in his Experiencing God material, gives us a compelling reason to read about it, meditate on it, and most importantly, live by its lesson.
The March Begins
Led by the Lord in His wondrous cloud, the Israelites embarked on their first journey after 11 months near Mount Sinai. They were now moving from the Sinai desert toward the land of Canaan.
In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the covenant.
Then the Israelites set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran.
They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses (*Numbers 10:11-13).
Turning the page in our Bibles from Chapter 10 to Chapter 11, we observe that the people, who had been obediently following the Lord, begin to voice complaints. These grievances will be the subject of tomorrow’s blog article.
Today, let us instead reflect on the journey God has us on. Can we cultivate a spirit of obedience, listening to His direction, and following it without complaint?
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 