Numbers 9:18

18. At the commandment of the Lord As indicated by the moving or resting cloud, they journeyed. C. Wesley thus beautifully spiritualizes this passage:

“To work for God is good,

If God our work ordain;

But stayed by the incumbent cloud

We in our place remain.

To cease from work is best,

If after Jesus’ will;

For when at his command we rest

We please our Saviour still.”

“God’s commands halt, forward, the right, or left were not heard, but were seen. His signal service was equally good by night or day. Banners more beautiful than sunrise, and brighter than stars, testify the Leader’s presence. Ballooning is a pitiable device for discerning roads, food, water, or enemies, compared with the sleepless eye in the uplifted chariot of cloud.

“It was not only guidance, but protection; a cover from the excessive heat of the desert. I myself went down into the plain of the Dead Sea under threat of intolerable heat; but God canopied the whole day with a cloud and a shield from the sun. Quails, manna, divided sea, and imperishable shoes are no more evident signs of God’s care than the cover by day and the light by night. ‘I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’” Bishop H.W. Warren.