ISRAEL AND THE CLOUD
In Numbers 9;16-23 there is an account of how Israel determined when to move and when to rest as
they journeyed through the wilderness. These movements were not made at random, but were always
initiated by God’s leadership in the form of a “cloud by day” and an “appearance of fire by night”. [Num 9;16].
Although it might seem that that account would have very little bearing on our service to God today,
we should not underestimate its value and the lessons it presents. For God has told us that these things were ,
written for learning” that we might have hope of salvation. [Rom 15;4]
When the cloud moved Israel Moved
We are told “ whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of
Israel would journey…” [Num 9;17]. This was all in accordance with the “command of the Lord” [ Num 19;18 ]
To appreciate the significance of these moves, however, one only has to realize the how much time and energy
it took to set up camp and then to take it down again. When God said to move, therefore, faithfulness required
that they stop whatever they were doing and put forth the necessary effort to break camp, pack up all their
belongings, load them on whatever means they had of transporting them, and move.
When the cloud stopped Israel stopped
Moses wrote “…in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents”
[ Num 9;17 ]. Israel was to camp where the cloud rested, no matter where it rested. This, to, was by the
command of the Lord” [Num 9;18 ]. The Israelites were not at liberty to determine where they would stop,
nor how long how long their stay would be. To be faithful to God, they simply followed the cloud and
remained where ever the cloud remained.
Lessons to be learned
First, this account of Israel’s movements teaches us that following God requires faith, Israel had to go
whenever and wherever the cloud went. This was despite the fact that Israel did not necessarily know where
the cloud was going to lead them. It could be that human wisdom may have dictated certain paths were
easier to follow than those chosen by God. BUT, true faith meant trusting in the Lord’s guidance,
no matter what they “thought” about it. We to must have this attitude of complete trust in God’s revealed Word, “
for we walk by faith, not by sight, [ 2 Cor 5;7 ]. And true “ faith comes by hearing, and the hearing by the Word of God”
[ Rom 10;17 ]. Thus to act in " faith " is to act in complete accord with God’s revealed will.
Second, we learn that following God requires commitment. Israel had to move whenever the cloud moved.
This was true even when they only had one night to rest [ Num 9;21 ]. The physical strain this placed upon Israel
from time to time cannot be denied. Yet, those who would follow the Lord and live within his protection had
to go when God said go. Such is true of us today. Christianity is not a “soft” religion. God requires total commitment.
We when the bible says “go”. This is true even when this means putting our lives on the line
[ Rev 2;10 - Heb 12;4 - 1 Pet 5;14-16 ].
Finally, this account of Israel’s movements shows us that following God requires OBEDIENCE .
Faith and obedience have always worked hand in hand within God’s plan. For if Israel had been faithless,
they would not have followed God’s command to ,go, or to ,stay, [ Num 9;18 ]. Yet it must also be admitted
that if Israel had not obeyed, their professed” faith in God would have been useless and they would have
been left behind by God to die. And God requires the same for all that would follow him today.
James tells us “…faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” [ James 2;17 ].
Anyone, therefore, who will please God today and be saved, will have to have faith enough to ,OBEY,
God’s commands [ James 2;22, 26—Heb 5;9—Mat 7;21 ].
Rodney Pitts