Numbers 9:15-23 - God's Ceaseless Providence A Motive To Prompt Obedience

I. A SOURCE OF SAFETY ;

II. A GROUND OF FAITH ; and therefore,

III. A MOTIVE TO OBEDIENCE .

I. The cloud

II. God showed himself in the cloud for the very purpose of guiding. He took the responsibility out of the hands of the people and Moses that they might have the privilege of trusting ( Exodus 33:9-17 ; Deuteronomy 1:33 ). Such a guiding presence we may enjoy by the aid of God's written counsels, providential acts, and inward monitions ( Psalms 25:4 , Psalms 25:5 , Psalms 25:9 , Psalms 25:14 ). See how these three are combined in the narrative ( Acts 8:26-35 ).

III. , Numbers 9:23 is very emphatic. They obeyed even if at times the journey was very arduous ( Numbers 21:4 ), or the halt very tedious ( Numbers 9:22 ), or the start was sudden, as when a midnight alarm of the trumpets was a sign that the cloud had begun to move ( Numbers 9:21 ). Hence we learn