Numbers 10:33-36

C. THE CLOUD AND THE ARK LEAD THE PEOPLE vv. 33-36
TEXT

Numbers 10:33. And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days-' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days-' journey, to search out a resting place for them. 34. And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. 35. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 10:33. And they went a three-days-' journey from the mount of the Lord; and the ark of the covenant went ahead of them during the three days-' journey to find a resting place for them. 34. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they left the camp. 35. And it happened that when the ark went forth that Moses said, Rise up, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered; and let those who hate you flee before you. 36. And when it rested he said, Return, Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.

COMMENTARY

From this time onward, the nation will be led by the very Presence, symbolized by the cloud and the pillar which attended and preceded the ark of the covenant. This one great difference would be reassuring at all times. Their first leg of the journey occupies three days, suggesting two nights without establishing a camp. They were traversing difficult, sandy terrain. PC claims that a modern army, unencumbered with non-combatants, does not make more than ten miles a day over difficult country, nor can cattle be driven faster than that, p. 98. From Mt. Sinai to the first known station, Hazeroth, is a distance of nearly twice that traveled in the first three days.

With the ark of the covenant moving before them, the Israelites set out. The usual place for the cloud was above the ark while it was within the Tabernacle. It is not certain whether the cloud encompassed the ark as it was being transported, but this seems unlikely, since the vision of the carrier Kohathites would have been obscured. The full description of the appearance of the cloud implies that it stretched backward above the entire company of the people, and far enough ahead to guide the journey of those carrying the ark.
The sixty-eighth Psalm is considered to be an enlargement of Moses-' prayer as the ark moves forward (PC, p. 99). The initial verse, Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him, is certainly similar enough to suggest Moses-' words as the basis, upon which David composed the song. The words apparently were spoken whenever the ark was moved; this custom may have continued until the ark found its resting place within the Temple.

A counterpart may be seen when the ark rested: Moses invokes the Lord's return to the myriads of Israel after He has scattered their enemies and caused them to flee from His presence. The contrast between the power of God in destroying Israel's enemies and in protecting Israel is beautifully developed in the whole of Psalms 68 (q. v.). Both prayers of Moses, given in the briefest of forms, are rich and significant.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

189.

In what respect was the marching order now changed as Israel left Mt. Sinai? Why?

190.

Describe the land into which the Israelites were entering.

191.

About how far might such a company expect to move daily?

192.

Show how the cloud might have been established to conform to the description given in the text.