Red Light, Green Light

Numbers 9:15–19 “15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. 18 At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not set out.”

Numbers 9:20–23 “20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they remained in camp; then according to the command of the Lord they set out. 21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. 23 At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses.”

Introduction

Anyone play the kid’s game Red light, Green light

Fascinatingly frustrating game

This game demonstrates, in a hilarious way, how we must listen diligently to the voice of the leader

It also, in a humorous way, depicts what following the Jesus is like

Step where He steps

no ordinary cloud. Hebrew describes it as a cloud or cloud mass

day time, appearance similar to normal clouds

night time, appeared as if on fire, perhaps like burning coals

Holy Spirit types and shadows

oil, wine, dove, wind/breath, fire, water

This cloud was a visible manifestation of God’s presence

Israel was going to learn how to follow the God who rescued them and provides for them in a very practical manner

Move when He moves

breaking up camp was no easy feat

Tabernacle area had to be dismantled piece by piece

in a specific order

by specific people

and transported in a specific manner

when the cloud moved, it was time to pack up and follow

The key to following God is watching what he is doing: moving when he does, and not before

Stay where He stays

setting up camp, like most things, was even more taxing

the dismantled tabernacle had to be set up in a precise manner

furthermore, the Tabernacle had to be set up before anything else, for the Tabernacle’s placement was foundational for the people’s tents

never knew how long they were going to stay: half a day, two days, a week, a month, or even longer. As long as the cloud remained, so did they.

While we like to keep moving, there are times when God wants us to remains still.

Conclusion

If God’s people were going to make it, they needed to learn how to follow Him.

Moses’ leadership was good, but God wants his people to follow him, and

leaders come and go. Moses would be gone one day; God remains

Following God is not difficult, but we must learn to recognize his presence and voice, and to obey