Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
Comment: There is another book, Leviticus and nine and a half chapters of Numbers, before the people get to leave the wilderness around Sinai. ‘Num 10 v 11 – In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. but this short passage at the top above is so significant! There is no idol in the tent but the Invisible Creator and Saving God puts a sign of His Presence with them. We have clouds these days but not like this cloud! It was fire at night and cloud by day so that they could always see this physical evidence that the Almighty God was leading them on the Way to their Promised Land! We have daily evidence for us to see – the Sun by day and the beauty of Creation and the starry heavens at night! You may say that this world has much of sadness and sorrow but, if honest, we can see. underneath all the mess, the beauty of what God has made and we know the stupidity and sinfulness of we humans which have marred the God-made beauty. The whole story of the rescue from Egypt and the ‘Exodus’ experience is a lesson for us to see the Provision of God for the restoration of a right relationship with Him!
Psalm 80: 3/7/19 – Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! – This is the refrain in Psalm 80 and one that we can repeat to our great benefit!
Prayer: Help us to walk confidently by faith as we cannot see You. Thank You for all the evidence, in Creation, History, Archeology and the unfolding revelation of the Bible, that You are the God who the Bible says that You are.
As I read it! 