Timing is Everything
There are so many treasures in the Bible, verses that speak encouragement and life to our spirits. And, yes, even in the book of Numbers, there is profound wisdom that brings new life. Now, just by reading “Numbers” your mind may begin to numb as you envision seemingly endless lists of families, clans, heads of houses, animals for sacrifice, and articles for tabernacle worship. However, you may be forgetting this passage from chapter nine:
On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses. Numbers 9:15-23 (NIV)
This passage comes amid lengthy instructions from the Lord to Israel regarding righteous and victorious living. And, while it is almost comical in its repetition, the point is clearly made that God decided when Israel was to break camp and march on, and God decided when they should remain camped.
The cloud that covered the tabernacle was a symbol of God’s presence. In verse 15, it says that the cloud “covered” the tabernacle. That English word “covered” is a translation of the Hebrew word “kasha,” which means to cover, but with the added connotation of a protective covering. The cloud provided daily protection from the burning desert sun, and, as fire, it warmed them each night when the temperature plummeted. Israel was wise to remain close to the covering, protective presence of the Lord. Wherever the cloud “settled,” Israel camped. How appropriate that another translation for settle, from the Hebrew “shakhan,” is tabernacle. To remain in place, to settle or dwell, is to tabernacle. God’s presence literally tabernacled over the tabernacle!
For some, I imagine that remaining settled was difficult. After all, they were supposed to be travelling to the land God promised to them. But they were commanded to remain, not to give in to impetuousness, excitement, or impatience. They were not to go off on their own and find their way to this new land, but to wait for the cloud to move and then follow.
For others, however, marching in step with God’s presence was likely more difficult. All those families and people, herds and flocks of animals, and all the materials and articles of the tabernacle had to be packed and loaded each time the cloud moved. Then each article had to be unpacked, every family’s tent and belongings, and every item—the beams, walls, coverings, curtains, rings to loop them together, tables, lampstands, linens, and articles for sacrifices—unpacked and assembled once again into the tabernacle. When they were only camped for a night or two, it would seem they had just unpacked only to pack it all again. And when they had remained for months or a year, they would have felt settled, only to have to uproot again. But when the cloud of God’s presence moved, no matter what time it was or how they felt, it was time to go.
No matter which we find more difficult, waiting on God or moving at His command, there are important points to remember. First, God’s presence and direction are for our protection. There is no safer place to be, nowhere that is more satisfying and blessed than in His presence. Second, there is blessing in waiting on God’s timing and remaining faithful to the place, people, and responsibilities presented in our present location. Third, when God says it is time to move, it is time to move! We must be willing to pack up and step out in obedience. His presence may lead us to new and uncomfortable places that stretch and mature us. It requires faith to march into something new or to perhaps go forward in ministry, forgiveness, or reconciliation. God’s presence may even lead us back around familiar paths, steering us toward unfinished projects and assignments.
Wherever and whenever He leads, I want to follow closely. I invite you to remain in faith under the protective presence of the Almighty, and to march boldly when He leads you onward. Each step will lead us further into His presence and His fullness.