Numbers 9:15,22

“Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Tesitmony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire… Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey.” Numbers 9:15, 22.

This is truly an amazing story. As the Israelites were journeying through the desert to get to the promised land, they were guided by a cloud during the day. During the night time when the sun went down, it was present in the form of fire. The key was that when the cloud rested above the sanctuary, the people camped on that location, and when the cloud was removed it was time for the people to move on.

I am sure there are many spiritual lessons that we can gain from here, but let me point out two. First, the Lord guided them in their journey. This was a desert the people were traveling throughout. It was hot during the day and cold during the night. I don’t know how big the cloud was but I believe it would have provided enough shade for the people. At night, when the temperature went down, it would have provided heat in the cold night for the people. The people of God were not left alone. They were guided and also was provided with shelter in their journey. The people had to depend on the Lord’s guidance to journey.

Secondly, it teaches that the people had to be prepared to depart anytime. The people didn’t know how long the cloud would cover the sanctuary. It could stay for a day, a month, or a year. But at any given time, when the cloud was taken up, they had to leave right away. It teaches us that we need to be prepared for Jesus’ second coming. Matthew 24:36 tells us that “No one knows the day or hour.” Therefore we must be ready for His coming, even today. The good news is that our Father is faithful in leading us and guiding us.