Following the LORD's Lead [Numbers 9]


15Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning.  16So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17Whenever 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. 18At 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. 19Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the LORD'S charge and not set out. 20If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then according to the command of the LORD they set out. 21If sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out. 22Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out. 23At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out; they kept the LORD'S charge, according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

 

This passage intrigues me.  There was no way the people or the leader's could anticipate when to move or when to camp.  They were at the complete mercy of the command of the LORD, demonstrated by the cloud over the tabernacle.  "Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out."   I can't imagine myself content to sit for a year waiting for the cloud to lift!  I think I would give it maybe a month and then I would decide that God was waiting for me to use the mind He had given me to figure out that it was time to move.

 

What a picture of walking by faith.  What a picture of dependence on God.  He took care of all their needs  - they had manna to eat, their shoes and clothes didn't wear out and they didn't get sick.  They just needed to move when He moved and trust Him to lead. 

 

Galatians 2:19-21 "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." May we live in dependence on Him today. 

 

Jesus I praise You that You loved me and gave Yourself up for me.  You live in me and it is no longer my life to live.  Cause me to live to God by faith in You.  Cause me to wait on You to lead me.  You know my tendency to jump and do, just to be moving.  Today, I want to wait on You.  You will lead clearly.  There will be doubt when the cloud moves.

Verna McCrillis, 7/15/2010