THE JOURNEY
Numbers 9:15–23
The Book of Numbers presents three primary scenes, and geographic locations identify each. The first part (ch. 1–10) occurred while the Israelites were still at Mount Sinai. The second (ch. 11–25) describes their journey from Sinai toward Canaan. The final section (ch. 26–36) describes God’s people on the Plains of Moab — across the Jordan River from Jericho. The verses from this week describe when they were camped at Mount Sinai.
One major theme in the opening chapters of Numbers involves being consecrated, which means to be set aside as holy or sacred, emphasizing keeping something pure. This underscores how God set aside His people to be unlike all others. He wanted them to be holy unto Him and devoted wholly unto Him. They were to serve, honor and obey Him alone. In today’s passage, He is preparing them for the journey to Canaan.
God’s Presence (15–16)
I am sure we can each remember times as children when we were uncertain about an experience that made us a little unsettled, like the first day of school or a trip to the dentist or doctor. Whatever it was, no matter how scary, having our mother or father present brought comfort and assurance. Today’s lesson teaches us God is always with us no matter where we go or what we may face in life.
These verses introduce the visible manifestation of God’s presence — a cloud by day and fire by night. They also emphasize His consistency. God’s presence wasn’t a one-time event but an ongoing relationship. They also show His protection and provision. I often wonder how many people found relief from the scorching desert heat beneath the cloud during the day. How many found warmth in the cold desert nights or light for their path in the darkness because of the fire at night? God is always present with His people.
Faithful Direction (17–21)
With any journey you always have a destination. But if you are to be successful in reaching your destination, you must know what direction you should go.
Oftentimes that becomes the dilemma. It helps immensely if we have someone who not only knows the destination but can also show us how to get there. In these verses we see God providing guidance and direction to His people.
When the cloud lifted from its place above the tabernacle and moved, the Israelites moved with it. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle and did not move, they stopped traveling and remained in that location.
Active Obedience (22–23)
Each of us has experienced a time when we were going somewhere but had to depend on someone else to take us there. We may have been ready to go, but we had no choice but to exercise trust and patience in the person taking us.
God’s people did just that. Israel was not guided by strategy, logic or comfort but by the sovereign will of God. Their journey was one of faith, not foresight. The people moved only at God’s command — not earlier, not later. It echoes a deep trust in divine wisdom over human planning.
Sometimes God calls us to wait longer than we want. There’s no indication of grumbling here; instead, we see patient obedience. God’s timing is not always predictable or comfortable. But it is always trustworthy.
By Darrell Nimmo
Retired Baptist pastor living in Goodlettsville, Tennessee
