Exodus 40:33-38: a reflection

33He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. 34Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the LORD’s glory filled the tabernacle. 35Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and the LORD’s glory filled the tabernacle. 36When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; 37but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up. 38For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

When the tabernacle is finished and the glory of the LORD fills it, God gives Israel their guidance for the journey ahead in the form of a cloud. When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward; but if the cloud wasn't taken up, then they didn't travel until the day that it was taken up. Their movement was governed by the cloud: they went when it moved, and stayed when it stayed. They did not set their own pace or choose their own direction; they followed God's leading, moving and resting as the cloud directed, letting God set the pace and the way of their journey.

Notice how Israel followed God's leading: they moved when the cloud moved, and stayed when it stayed. They did not decide for themselves when to go or where; they watched the cloud and followed it, going when it went, staying when it stayed. Their whole journey was governed by following God's leading, not their own preference or impatience. When the cloud stayed, they stayed, however long; when it moved, they moved. They let God set both the pace and the direction, following his leading step by step. The journey was not theirs to direct, but God's to lead; and their part was to follow, moving and resting as he directed.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too are called to follow God's leading, moving and resting as he directs, rather than setting our own pace and way. We can want to set our own pace and direction, to go when we choose and where we prefer, impatient to move or reluctant to wait; but Israel followed the cloud, moving when God moved and staying when he stayed. To follow God's leading is to let him set the pace and the direction, to go when he goes and wait when he waits. Do not insist on setting your own pace and direction; follow God's leading, moving when he leads and resting when he stays, as Israel followed the cloud. Follow God's leading, moving and resting as he directs rather than setting your own pace and way, as Israel went onward when the cloud moved and stayed when it stayed; for the journey is God's to lead, and our part is to follow, going when he goes and waiting when he waits, letting him set the pace and the direction of our way.

Lord, when the tabernacle is finished and your glory fills it, you give Israel their guidance for the journey ahead in the form of a cloud. When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward; but if the cloud wasn't taken up, then they didn't travel until the day that it was taken up. Their movement was governed by the cloud: they went when it moved, and stayed when it stayed. They did not set their own pace or choose their own direction; they followed your leading. Show me how Israel followed your leading: they moved when the cloud moved, and stayed when it stayed. They did not decide for themselves when to go or where; they watched the cloud and followed it. Their whole journey was governed by following your leading, not their own preference or impatience. When the cloud stayed, they stayed, however long; when it moved, they moved. They let you set both the pace and the direction. The journey was not theirs to direct, but yours to lead. Take that to my heart, for I too am called to follow your leading, moving and resting as you direct, rather than setting my own pace and way. I can want to set my own pace and direction, to go when I choose and where I prefer, impatient to move or reluctant to wait; but Israel followed the cloud. To follow your leading is to let you set the pace and the direction. Keep me from insisting on setting my own pace and direction; help me follow your leading, Lord, moving when you lead and resting when you stay, as Israel followed the cloud, letting you set the pace and the direction of my way.