Training for Obedience and Pilgrimage

I've been meditating on Numbers 9:15-23 for a few days, and think there are some great lessons here for men.

" 15 On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses. "

The Shekinah Glory above the tent was a visible signal of God's presence and leadership. The rule of migration was simple: if the cloud moves, you follow it. If the cloud remains, you stay.

There were well over a million Israelites -- imagine how much food and water is needed for a million people in the wild desert! -- being cared for by the Lord's leadership.

God was training them to be obedient. They were to go/stay as He commanded, not of their own preference or idea. It doesn't matter if you would prefer to move on, the Lord hasn't moved on yet. Or if you really like this campsite, you can't stay if the Lord moves on. You are under authority!

God was also training them to have a pilgrimage mindset. You would have to watch carefully every day to see what God wanted you to do. You could make no assumptions about tomorrow's plans -- the focus would have to be on today. This is an attitude of service and Lordship. And you don't wander off where God doesn't lead you.

How are you doing on obedience and pilgrimage, men?