Numbers 7 - 9

Move When The Cloud Moves
Today's portion opens with a lengthy and repetitious account of the gifts and offerings each tribe brought to the Tabernacle over a 12 day span.  The repetition indicates (to me) the communal based worship of the children of Israel.  Each gift is essentially the same - no tribe was better or worse than any  of the others.  All of the gifts were put into use by Aaron, the priesthood, and the Levites.

The Levites are dedicated and the people of Israel are ready to move.  Prior to moving from Mt Sinai, they celebrate the Passover as they had been instructed.  Everyone who could celebrate had to celebrate or they would be cut off from the rest of the people.  Even those would could not celebrate because of being ceremonially unclean, were given instructions on becoming clean and instructions on celebrating the Passover one month later - in a manner exactly like those who celebrated at the appointed time. This underscores the necessity of this feast to the children of Israel.

The people watched the cloud/pillar of fire as it hovered over the Tabernacle.  When it moved, they prepared the Tabernacle and moved.  When it stayed, they stayed.  This is a type of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When He directs us, we need to be sensitive and obedient and follow.  When He puts us someplace to do a specific task, then we need to stick with His plan.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.