SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:23
Al dicho del SEÑOR asentaban campamento , y al dicho del SEÑOR partían, aguardando al SEÑOR, como lo había dicho el SEÑOR por medio de Moisés.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Numbers 9:23
Verse 23. Kept the charge of the Lord] When we consider the strong disposition which this people ever testified to follow their own will in all things, we may be well surprised to find them, in these journeyings, so implicitly following the directions of God. There could be no trick or imposture here. Moses, had he been the most cunning of men, never could have imitated the appearances referred to in this chapter. The cloud, and every thing in its motion, was so evidently supernatural, that the people had no doubt of its being the symbol of the Divine presence. GOD chose to keep this people so dependent upon himself, and so submissive to the decisions of his own will, that he would not even give them regular times of marching or resting; they were to do both when and where God saw best. Thus they were ever kept ready for their march, though perfectly ignorant of the time when they should commence it. But this was all well; they had the presence of God with them; the cloud by day and the fire by night demonstrated that God was amongst them. Reader, thou art here a tenant at will to God Almighty. How soon, in what place, or in what circumstances, he may call thee to march into the eternal world, thou knowest not. But this uncertainty cannot perplex thee, if thou be properly subject to the will of God, ever willing to lose thy own in it. But thou canst not be thus subject, unless thou have the testimony of the presence and approbation of God. How awful to be obliged to walk into the valley of the shadow of death without this! Reader, prepare to meet thy God.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. At the commandment of the Lord they rested in their tents , etc.] Though ever so disagreeable: and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed ; though the circumstances might be such, that they could have liked a continuance; but whether agreeable or disagreeable, they were obedient to the divine will: this, or what is equivalent to it, is frequently observed in this paragraph, to show that the Israelites, though they were an obstinate and perverse people, and must in general be desirous of getting as soon as they could into the land of promise, yet in this case, in all their stations and journeys, were submissive and obedient to the divine will, as all good men should be with respect to happiness; and happy are they who have God to be their guide through it, even unto death: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses ; observed the rest or motion of the cloud, the order and command of God signified thereby, as it was made known unto them by the ministry and means of Moses.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-23 - This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God' presence with Israel. Thus we are taught to see God always near us both night and day. As long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle, s long they continued in the same place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. When the cloud was taken up, they removed however comfortably they were encamped. We are kept at uncertaint concerning the time of our putting off the earthly house of thi tabernacle, that we may be always ready to remove at the command of the Lord. It is very safe and pleasant going when we see God before us, an resting where he appoints us to rest. The leading of this cloud i spoken of as signifying the guidance of the blessed Spirit. We are no now to expect such tokens of the Divine presence and guidance; but the promise is sure to all God's spiritual Israel, that he will guide the by his counsel. Ps 73:24, even unto death, Ps 48:14. All the children of God shall be led by the Spirit of God, Ro 8:14. He will direct the paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him, Pr 3:6. At the commandment of the Lord, our hearts should always move and rest saying, Father, thy will be done; dispose of me and mine as tho pleasest. What thou wilt, and where thou wilt; only let me be thine and always in the way of my duty. In applying general precepts to particular circumstances, there should be good counsel and ferven prayer. When any undertaking is evidently wrong, or doubtfully right and yet the mind leans that way, in such a case "the moving of the cloud," as men sometimes miscall it, is generally no more than temptation Satan is permitted to propose; and men fancy they ar following the Lord, when they are following their own waywar inclinations. The record of his mercy will conduct us with unerrin truth, through Christ, to everlasting peace. Follow the pillar of the cloud and of fire. Lay the BIBLE to heart, and receive with meeknes the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
על 5921 פי 6310 יהוה 3068 יחנו 2583 ועל 5921 פי 6310 יהוה 3068 יסעו 5265 את 853 משׁמרת 4931 יהוה 3068 שׁמרו 8104 על 5921 פי 6310 יהוה 3068 ביד 3027 משׁה׃ 4872
