“Whether it was two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle. But when it was lifted, they set out. They camped at the Lord’s command, and they set out at the Lord’s command. They carried out the Lord’s requirement according to His command through Moses.” (Numbers 9:22-23 CSB)
The cloud must have been a spectacular sight. It glowed brightly during the day and fiery red at night. What great assurance it must have given! It represented the very presence of the Almighty. What great terror it also must have inspired! People were afraid to go near it. Moses was the only personal allowed to be near it. He came away from his times with the Lord with his face glowing like the cloud, and that was terrifying enough in itself to the people.
The “shekinah” glory cloud represented God’s presence and guidance, and one thing for sure was that there was never a question about God’s guidance. When the cloud lifted, the people followed it. When it settled, there they camped. There was no ambiguity. Everything was crystal clear.
While the cloud was beautiful, it was not personal. While it showed God’s presence, it also defined a physical limitation to that place. As much as we might prefer such clarity, it would be less effective in terms of the work of God’s kingdom than what we have now.
In similar fashion, Jesus came as the incarnate Son of God. He was on this earth a brief time. There was clarity. There was order. His ascension, however, changed that, humanly speaking, but a short time later He sent the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts and lives of all those He called to faith. The Holy Spirit is the genuine and real presence of the Lord Jesus, the genuine and real presence of the “shekinah” glory cloud, if you will, in our hearts and minds and souls and lives. Through the Holy Spirit, He now provides all the clarity and order we need in order to live freely a victorious life.
Lord, Fill us with Your Spirit, so that we may walk fully by faith. Amen.
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