At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses.
—Numbers 9:23 (ESV)
The children of Israel were elated, but they were also somewhat dismayed and apprehensive about their future. God had just redeemed them from Egyptian bondage. He had done so with a mighty hand (cf. Exodus 3:19; 6:6). But they had yet to reach their final, divinely-appointed destination. An eleven day journey (Deuteronomy 1:2) and one question still remained. The Lord had led them out of Egypt, but would He continue to lead them into the Promised Land?
According to Exodus 13:20–22 and Numbers 9:15–23, a radiant cloud of guidance hovered in the sky both day and night. This new phenomenon first appeared unto the Israelites while still in Egypt, at Succoth (Exodus 13:20). It came to rest upon the Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting, once that Holy structure was erected (Numbers 9:15). But this cloud of guidance was not ordained to be static. It continued to move as the Lord saw fit. If it stood still, the people were to sojourn. If it moved, they were to mobilize. Wherever the cloud went, the Israelites were to follow. At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out (Numbers 9:23).
The writer of Hebrews informs us that those established by God’s grace under the New Covenant are likewise surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). Sixty-six witnesses to be exact. All inspired; all God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We call this “great cloud of witnesses,” the Bible. It is God’s Guidebook for wayworn travelers—Those who tread upon this forlorn earth. The Word of God moves us along towards Heaven’s Gloryland, if we will but choose to follow its commands by faith.
—Ron Metheny
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