Numbers 9:15

Numbers 9:15 says, 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.  There was a cloud over the tabernacle during the day when it was set up, and a pillar of fire over it by night.  The cloud before had been over all the people, but now settled over the tabernacle, and since the cloud would have been hard to see at night, it appeared as a fire.  God was letting them know that He was with them, which He does for believers today by the presence of the Holy Spirit living in us.  Verse sixteen adds, So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.  There was always evidence of God's presence in the tabernacle.  We don't have such signs today, but we can be certain by faith alone that God is always with us as followers of Christ.  Verse seventeen continues, 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.  The cloud led the children of Israel as to when to move and where to set up camp again.  We today should be led by the Holy Spirit.  Verse eighteen states, 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.  The movement of the children of Israel was directed by God through the movement or resting of the cloud, which represented God's presence.  Again, we should move or remain where we are today as Christians by the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Verse nineteen adds, 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.  The people of Israel did not move everyday, but sometimes stayed in the same spot every day.  Verse twenty continues, 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.  Whether the people of Israel remained camped or move was strictly up to God.  I believe that we should seek the leadership of the Holy Spirit today to tell us whether we are to stay whether we are or move on in our service to Him.  Verse twenty-one says, 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.  The movement of the people of Israel could be either by day or night.  We likewise must be ready to serve God by day or by night.  Verse twenty-two adds, 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. The amount of time the cloud remained in place varied, just as the amount of time we stay in one place to serve God today can vary.  We need to go or stay as God directs us to do so.  Verse twenty-three continues, 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.  As the children of Israel did then, we must act under the direction of God.