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

Numbers 9:15-16

¹⁵ And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

¹⁶ So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

Explanation:

The first 10 chapters of Numbers record the final preparations of Israel as they prepare to go from wilderness wandering to conquering Canaan.  When they completely finish the tabernacle of the tent of testimony, the cloud, symbolizing the presence of God with His people, covered the erected structure.  At night it was fire until the morning.  This was God’s regular action towards them.  He presented himself as a cloud by day and a fire by night.

In Genesis 12 and 15 God covenants with Abraham that He would be his God and that through him He would have a nation that blessed the world.  In Genesis 15:17 he predicted what would happen in this text with the smoke and the lamp, representing the cloud and the fire.

Application:

The children of Israel were somewhere between Canaan and Egypt.  They were in the wilderness, which is the Hebrew name for this book.  Yet, God was with them in the wilderness! His presence reassured them of his promise and protection, but also of his leading.  God keeps his promises, and made His presence known to His people.

God has promised His presence to those who know Him.  Jesus told His disciples, “Lo, I am with you always…”.  He promised His indwelling Holy Spirit.  His Word and His Spirit lead me.  It is my job to submit to Him and follow Him through His Word.

Respond:

• Ask the Lord for direction today.
• Thank the Lord for His presence.
• Do what is wise as He leads!

¹⁵ And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. ¹⁶ So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

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.¹⁹ 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.

²⁰ And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed.

²¹ And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the 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.²² Or whether it were 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.

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 9:15-23

Day 1- Numbers 9:15
Day 2- Numbers 9:16
Day 3- Numbers 9:17-18
Day 4- Numbers 9:19-22
Day 5- Numbers 9:23