ETB Numbers 9:15-23

Session 1: The Journey p.10

The Leader’s guide starts with the following statements:

Sprinters run as fast as they can, but for a short distance. Marathoners need a different strategy to cover 26.2 miles. Their race lasts more than two hours, in contrast to sprints that are measured in seconds. Both require significant training and preparation, but the marathon really tests an athlete’s endurance. Life is much more like a marathon, and God’s people need the right training to finish our race well. [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Fall 2025]

The course for a sprinter is fairly obvious because it is on a track with numbered and painted lanes. Marathon races, however, are typically ran “through the city” and can have a circuitous route. Athletes and trainers are made aware of the course long before the race and they are usually well denoted during the race. Finishing the race depends on both the athlete’s physical ability as well as a mental awareness of the course directions.

Ask: Can you describe a time when bad directions led you somewhere unexpected? Did you make any changes to your future trips after that event?

Understand the Context

English Standard Version Introduction

The English title “Numbers” comes from the two censuses that are central features of this book. However, the Hebrew title, “In the Wilderness,” is more descriptive of the book.

The book of Numbers presents three primary scenes, and geographic locations identify each. The first part (chaps. 1–10) occurred while the Israelites were still at Mount Sinai. The second describes their journey from Sinai toward Canaan (chaps. 11–25). The final section (chaps. 26–36) describes God’s people on the Plains of Moab—across the Jordan River from Jericho.

God gave Moses further instructions for Passover as the festival approached during the second year after the people left Egypt (9:1-14). The people celebrated Passover as Moses commanded on the fourteenth day of the first month (9:5), though some people were unclean and needed to wait until the second month to observe it (9:6-11). Foreigners who lived among the Israelites were also permitted to celebrate the festival (9:14). [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Our study today picks up the story just before the Passover celebration was to begin.

Explore the Text

Numbers 9:15–16 ESV

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.

Do you remember what day of the first month the Passover was to be held?

We read in the Exodus account:

Exodus 40:17 “17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.”

I find that interesting that Moses wrote about their 2nd Passover first in the chapter, and then about the Tabernacle and God’s presence upon second even though chronologically they were the other way round.

Any thoughts on why he may have done that?

the cloud covered the tabernacle

Although this cloud was a representation of God’s glory and presence, the word used is not the one typically used for the “shekinah” of God. This is “cloud” is the same one that first began leading the people since their first day out of Egypt. Until now, the cloud was described as a pillar or column that went before them and guided them where to go. Now it has settled upon the tabernacle which is in the middle of the camp. The shape has change slightly as now it is more like another layer of skins on the tabernacle instead of a pillar.

Although the placement and the shape of the cloud had changed, what was still the same about its appearance?

This visible cloud by day and fire by night remained so that all in the camp, and probably those outside too, could see and know when God’s presence was among them.

All the people now had a similar experience with Moses every night in that they saw the tabernacle “on fire” but it was not consumed.

By covering the tabernacle, God also confirmed that His glory/presence would dwell there. He had commanded Moses to build the tabernacle as His dwelling place, and the cloud demonstrated God’s presence. As noted, when Moses dedicated the tabernacle, the cloud covered it, and God’s glory also filled it. Not even Moses could enter because of the radiance (40:34-35).

The biblical text sometimes refers to the tabernacle using other terms, particularly the “tent of meeting” (indicating a place where God would meet with His people) and (as here) the tent of the testimony. The word “testimony” also can be rendered “witness.” Again, by demonstrating His glory through the cloud, God provided a visible witness to His presence and to His approval of this structure. His people could take courage from seeing He was with them. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

so it was always

One of the most precious promises God gave His people was the promise of His presence. He had told Moses He would be with him to help him lead the people from Egypt (Ex. 3:12), and He had kept His word. Now, as the people began the second year of their journey (Num. 9:1), God’s presence clearly remained among them.

Jesus later assured His followers He would be with them forever (Matt. 28:20), and He promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide them to the truth they needed (John 16:13). The Lord’s presence is still a reality among His people. While we are not guided by clouds or fire, we have the reliability of His Word and the assurance that His Spirit will lead us in the right paths. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

With God’s presence so consistent in the middle of the camp, what may happen to the people’s “expectations?”

As New Testament believers, we have God the Holy Spirit constantly within us. That’s even closer than the people could get to the tabernacle, but we can grow just as complacent if not more so. Maintaining a view and mindset of His Holiness and our lack of it all the time takes His power within us and our obedience to His promptings.

Ask: How can you be assured of God’s presence in your life? What are some ways you benefit from His presence? (PSG, p. 13) 

Transition: God was all about revealing His presence to His people. But His presence provided much more than just comfort and encouragement. It also guided them on their journey. 

Numbers 9:17–21 ESV

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. 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.

The Hebrew word for lifted from occurs three times (vv. 17, 21, 22) in the passage in slightly different forms, but each includes the same basic sense. It’s important to understand that the cloud did not lift on its own. This was no morning fog. God did the lifting. Again, the cloud provided a visible expression of His guidance and faithful direction for His people.

When God moved, the people set out with Him. The verb also can be rendered “journeyed,” and it stresses not merely the resumption of a trip, but the traveling itself. God determined when His people needed to resume their travel by lifting the cloud over the tent (or tabernacle). The wording appears repeatedly in this passage. So, it is reasonable to believe that the text stresses God’s intentional direction of His people. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

The thing that I noticed in this text is that after verse 17, this “lifting” is called “the command of the Lord.” The people recognized that this was only by God’s direct interaction, and it was His communication to them to act by packing up and following Him.

“at the Lord’s command” literally, this means “according to the mouth of the Lord.” The expression occurs seven times in these verses and could indicate a verbal command. By adding “by Moses” after the expression in verse 23 may suggests God also spoke to Moses about the people camping or setting out.

One key element to this endeavor is absolute obedience. Even if the cloud remained many days, the people remained faithful. They put their own desires to the side and awaited God’s direction. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes Chapter 9

They were blessed people to be thus divinely guided. But they could never tell when they would have to be on the move. They had no abiding city. When their tents were pitched and they were just getting comfortably settled, perhaps that morning the pillar of cloud moved, and at other times, when they desired to be marching, it stood still. They could never be certain of staying long in any one place. It is just so with you and me—our Lord intends to keep us with a loose hold on all things here below. We cannot tell what changes may come to any one of us, and, therefore, we reckon on nothing that God has not plainly promised. Be certain of nothing but uncertainty, and always expect the unexpected. We cannot tell between here and heaven where our Guide may take us—happy will we be if we can truly say that we desire always to follow where the Lord leads.

At times, the cloud stayed in place for many days. Other times, the wait lasted a few days. These verses are a reminder that the Lord sometimes compels us to wait. He may call us to sit still—which can be difficult to do. Many times we wait without knowing why. Verse 21 provides a contrast to verses 19-20. Rather than the tabernacle remaining in place for multiple days, at times the sacred space was to be in place only overnight. When the cloud lifted the next morning, the people resumed their journey.” [ETB:PSG Fall '25]

Ask: Have there been times when God made you wait for an answer or solution from Him? How did that experience affect your faith? (p. 15)

Numbers 9:22–23 ESV

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.

The text again notes the unpredictability of God’s leading: two days, or a month, or a longer time. Shorter camping times meant the people would scarcely get settled before they gathered their possessions and moved out again. If the people were already tired, they might struggle with (or even resent) a quick turnaround. Longer camping times might prove restful, but without progress toward their ultimate destination.

The people’s active obedience was key to their receiving the land God had promised their ancestors centuries earlier. As they journeyed, some likely wanted to get to Canaan faster, while others were more patient. Nevertheless, they had to learn to trust God’s pace. They needed to believe that He would lead them faithfully, and they needed to demonstrate their faith by obeying and following the cloud. They were not to run ahead of God’s leading or to lag behind it.

The principle applies to us as well. We create problems for ourselves when we run ahead of God’s timing or resist moving when He moves. Like Israel, we are best served by staying in step with God’s timing. This requires discernment, which requires time in His Word. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

There are two implications from “lifted up”: abrupt action that suggested prompt obedience and decisive leadership that followed God’s plan with no questions asked.

Why are both of these important to experiencing God’s presence and following Him well?

If we are unsure about God’s leadership in a matter, how likely are we to act “abruptly?”

The Israelites had the cloud and Moses to help them “stay on course.”

How does God primarily guide His people today?

What is the correlation between Bible reading and prayer and God’s guidance?

If you do not look at the map for the marathon, or turn on the GPS, it would be impossible to “stay on track” to the finish line or your destination. Daily time in God’s Word and prayer is critical for the child of God to remain in His will. We may not always hear from God every day, but we can always review the “standing orders” His has given us to date and be faithful in those as best we can.

(v. 23) The text stresses one last time how Israel carefully followed God’s leading: At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. He knew the way better than they did! He also knew the dangers they might face, the needs they would experience, the enemies they would encounter, and the other challenges they would meet. He knew what was coming, and they did not.

While He could have told them everything in advance, He chose a different path. He commanded them to follow Him as He revealed the way. Most of the time, God does not reveal His entire agenda at once. As humans, we might feel overwhelmed, and our faith would be hindered. Instead, He graciously reveals His purposes on a “need to know” basis. This allows us to trust Him and obey Him one step at a time.

The Israelites demonstrated their faith through active obedience. They did not obey God to become His people. They already were His people by the covenant God had established with Abraham and ratified that covenant with His people at Mount Sinai. The commands were not a means to a relationship with Him, but a reflection of an existing relationship. His commands reflected the best way for them to live.

The apostle Paul stressed how people enter into a relationship with God by grace through faith, not by doing good works (Eph. 2:8-9). Yet, he also noted that God created us to do good works that demonstrate we are His workmanship (2:10). [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Apply the Text

Life Application Bible Notes Chapter 9

The Israelites traveled and camped as God guided. When you follow God’s guidance, you know you are where God wants you, whether you’re moving or staying in one place. You are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying, “God, what do you want me to do next?” ask, “God, what do you want me to do while I’m right here?” Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. Begin to understand God’s purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do now!

The Leader’s Guide suggested the song “Our God Will Go Before Us” by the Getty’s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmEYeZB8dDI) but I had not heard of that one before. The hymn that kept coming to my as I studied was “Where He Leads, I’ll Follow” but in the Baptist Hymnal I think it is “I Can Hear My Savior Calling” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9FqFC0WA-o)

Pray: Thank You God for Your constant presence in our lives. Thank You for the ways You have directed and provided trustworthy guidance to us in the past. Lord, give us the wisdom to know when to wait on You and when to step out in faith. Holy Spirit make is plain to us when You require us to act on Your instruction. Jesus, teach us to be faithful to You wherever we are right now in our spiritual walk. Holy, Perfect Father, give us the faith to wait or boldness to act in Your timeframe and not our own.