Numbers 8-9

“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” (9:18). The Israelites had experienced God’s miraculous rescue out of Egypt and provision in the desert. Regular festivals, including Passover, taught and reminded them about the God who had saved them. The visible sign of his presence was the cloud over the tabernacle that looked like fire at night and guided their journey.

“At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out” (9:23). Our trust and obedience to God’s commands flows out of the knowledge that he rescued us from sin and death. We follow the One who first loved us.