Week 1 Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 9:23

Explanation

God’s commandments in this passage are connected to his presence and leading. Two actions are summarized here- journeying and resting. There was a time for work and there was a time for rest. The commands came through His relationship to them.

The cloud and the pillar rested at the tabernacle. This was the place that God accepted their sacrifices and atoned for their sin. This was all a picture of the coming Christ- the lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world.

This entire section is a chiasm with the focus being obedience:

• A- At the command of the Lord the people would camp (18)
  • B- The people would not journey as long as the cloud continued. (19)
    • X- They would remain and journey by the cloud (20)
    • X- They would remain and journey by the cloud (21)
  • B- The people would not journey as long as the cloud continued. (22)
• A- At the command ofthe Lord the people would remained encamped. (23)

Application

Redemption can not come through our obedience, but because of Christ’s obedience we can receive redemption. Redemption always should lead to obedeince. Look to the great commission. God calls us to teach them “to observe all things I have commanded you.”

God elected to give the promises and covenants through Israel. he chose to reveal Himself to them. As a result of that election He rightly demands obedience. Obedience to Him was always what was best for them.

So it is with us. When we respond to God’s offer of forgiveness, He redeems us and puts us into His family. As a loving Father he desires obedience from us and for us. The good news is that He also empowers and enables us to do it by His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This leads to His glory being magnified by our lives!

Response

1. Is God being honored in your life by obedience to His leading?
2. Is there any area of your life where you aren’t honoring the Lord?

Week 1 Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

And so it was, when the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in the tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from evening unto morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it was 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.

Numbers 9:20-22

Explanation:

This explained the circumstances in which obedience was demanded by the presence of the Lord.

1. Obedience at any time of the day- morning, noon, or night.
2. Obedience in waiting for 2 days, a month, or a year, or in traveling every day. There was no printed agenda. Where would they be next Thursday at 9am? Wherever the cloud was. They abode with God and God provided direction, protection and affection.

Application

Just like them, I don’t have a printed out “God Calendar”. I can make plans, but the Lord orders my steps. I should ask him to intervene. I do this by being with God every day, and letting him abide in me.

Response

• I am going to pray for God’s direction.
• I should be courageous and wise in my obedience to Him today.

Week 1 Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not.

Explanation:

When the presence of the Lord, represented by the cloud and the fire, rested in one spot, then the people would “keep watch” over it.  They wanted to see  if and when it would move.  This “keeping watch” was not just done by a specially appointed person, although we do know that there was a levitical “guard duty”.  Here it describes those as watching as the children of Israel more generally.  Obedience to God was being executed to both exacting and complete.

Application:

There is a growing part to waiting.  God did not necessarily reveal to them why He moved.   He did not move only at certain times.  He did not answer to them.  They answered to Him and obeyed him in his movement.

They like us, have to be willing to wait on God and yet be active and faithful while we are patiently waiting.  There is an active waiting that is necessary.  We need to “keep watch” over what God wants us to do to move us or keep us in any given situation.  We must actively wait.

Response:

• Pray- God, let me be open to your direction and presence in my life as I seek you in prayer and study.
• Be active in doing what you know you ought to do, even though we don’t always know God’s timing more specifically.

Week 1 Passage-  Numbers 9:15-23

Numbers 9:17-18

¹⁷ And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.¹⁸ At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

Explanation:

It seems from this text that the cloud would move from the tabernacle.  This indicated the leading of the Lord.  Where the cloud stayed the people camped.  They saw the movement of the cloud as the command of God.  When they cloud stayed in one place, they rested.  They stayed.  They were prompted by the movement of God.

Application:

1. The people camped around the tabernacle as it was directed by the cloud.  They set up their lives for obedience to God.  This was important for their development because God wanted to teach them obedience.  He was preparing them for Canaan.  Just see Deuteronomy 8:1-6.  “All the commandments shall ye observe to do…And thous shalt remember, the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no.”
2. I may think it supernatural that they had a cloud, but they would think it supernatural that we have God’s Word available to every person containing the mystery now revealed.  Will I obey?

Response:

• Set up my life for obedience to the leading of the Lord.
• For more reading, see Ephesians 3, and 2 Peter 1:20-21