Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 9:19
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
The charge of the Lord, i.e. the command of God mentioned before, that they should stay as long as the cloud staid, as the same phrase is manifestly taken below, Num 9:23. And this, saith he, they did, though it were long in one place, which was tedious to them, who desired to change places, and to make haste to Canaan, yet they obeyed God herein against their own inclinations; which because it was remarkable in so obstinate a people, it is so largely and particularly mentioned here, as an instance of their obedience, and as an aggravation of the many following instances of their apostacy and disobedience.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. when the cloud tarried long uponthe tabernacle, . . . then Israel kept the charge of the Lord, andjourneyed notA desert life has its attractions, and constantmovements create a passionate love of change. Many incidents showthat the Israelites had strongly imbibed this nomad habit and weredesirous of hastening to Canaan. But still the phases of the cloudindicated the command of God: and whatsoever irksomeness they mighthave felt in remaining long stationary in camp, “when the cloudtarried upon the tabernacle many days, they kept the charge of theLord, and journeyed not.” Happy for them had they alwaysexhibited this spirit of obedience! and happy for all if, through thewilderness of this world, we implicitly follow the leadings of God’sProvidence and the directions of God’s Word!
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days,…. Or years, for days are sometimes put for years, and in some places the cloud tarried several years; or however, if it stayed but a month or a year in any place, as in Nu 9:22;
then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not; they not only kept watching when it would move, or set sentinels for that purpose to observe it, but they kept the charge, order, or commandment, which the tarrying of the cloud was a token of, and did not attempt to proceed in their journey until they had an intimation so to do by its motion; and all this while, likewise, the tabernacle being up, they observed all the precepts and ordinances of the Lord in the service of it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
19. Then the children kept the charge of the Lord. Some, (4) in my opinion, extend this too far, thinking that when the cloud tarried, the children of Israel, being as it were at leisure, employed themselves in the worship of God; but I restrict it rather to that heedfulness which is then praised at some length. To keep the charge (custodiam,) then, is equivalent to regarding the will of God with the greatest earnestness and care. For, when the cloud had begun to rest in any place, the people knew that they were to remain there; but if on the next day they were not attentive, the cloud might vanish, and thus their neglect and carelessness might deprive them of this incomparable advantage.
To this end it is said immediately afterwards that, If for one day, or more, or even for a month, or a year, the cloud stood still, the people was, as it were, tied to the spot. The old interpreter (5) has not badly rendered it, “The children of Israel were upon the watch;” since day and night they anxiously expected the time when God would command them to move forward. The last verse of the chapter confirms this sense, where it is again added, that “they kept the charge of the Lord at His mouth by the hand of Moses:” whence it appears that Moses was God’s interpreter, so that they might set forth on their march whenever the cloud being lifted up pointed out to them the way. Nor can it be doubted but that it preceded them; so that they might know in what direction God would have them proceed, and whither they were to go. Moreover, it must be observed that in both respects it is counted worthy of praise in the people, that they should either journey, or continue where they were, at God’s command. Thus is that absurd activity condemned which engages itself in endless work; as if men could only obey God by turmoil. Whereas it is sometimes no less a virtue to rest, when it so pleases God. (6)
(4) Dathe agrees with Malvenda and other ancient commentators in adopting the opinion here rejected by C. “The sense of the passage (he says) is, that the Israelites set up the holy tabernacle, and observed the holy rites, if they were detained for many days in one place; but if for a short time only, the tabernacle was not set up. Whether this was to be the case or not was indicated to them by Moses, according to Num 9:23.”
(5) I.e., the Vulgate: “Erant filii Israel in excubiis Domini.”
(6) “They also serve, who only stand, and wait.” — Milton; Sonnet on his blindness.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(19) Kept the charge of the Lord.The same expression is used of Aaron and his sons in Lev. 8:35, and also in respect to the office of the Levites in Num. 3:7, as keeping the charge of Aaron and of the congregation. It is also used of the people generally in 2Ch. 23:6, in regard to the charge or watch of the Lord. It may imply that the people were to engage in acts of religious worship, or it may denote adherence to the Divine commands and ordinances generally, as in Eze. 48:11.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Num 9:19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
Ver. 19. Kept the charge of the Lord. ] Or, His wateh – viz., to be ready at any hour to remove. So must we always watch and be in readiness, as not knowing whether at even, or at midnight, or cock crowing, or in the dawning, Christ will come. Mar 13:35
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
tarried long: Heb. prolonged
kept the: Num 1:52, Num 1:53, Num 3:8, Zec 3:7
Reciprocal: Exo 40:37 – General Lev 8:35 – keep Num 9:23 – they kept 2Ch 13:11 – we keep
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE GUIDING CLOUD
When the cloud was taken up. When the cloud tarried.
Num 9:17; Num 9:19
I. The first verses of the Lesson remind us of the fact that in all their wanderings through the wilderness the Israelites had God for their Guide.The visible token of the Divine leadership was the pillar of cloud which hovered over the Tabernacle, and which at nightfall became a pillar of fire. The movements of that cloud decided the movements of the Israelites. When it rested, they rested; when it removed, they removed; wherever it led, they followed. At the commandment of the Lord they encamped, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. Their stay in Sinai had been a long one, but in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the lifting of the cloud gave them the signal to depart, and led by it they took a three days journey into the wilderness of Paran. Here, then, we have a people whose every step was taken under the Divine guidance.
II. And this is how it ought to be, and how it may be, with us.Our lives ought to be lived, and may be lived, under Divine direction and leadership. We sometimes are tempted to envy the Israelites their possession of the cloudy pillar. But though we see neither cloud nor fire in front of us, we may be just as certainly led of God. I will guide thee, is the promise, with Mine eye upon thee. Are we living under the Divine leadership? Are the paths we follow, paths which God has pointed out? The practice of the Israelites is the one safe rule for life. At the commandment of the Lord they encamped, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed.
Illustration
(1) In the daytime the Cloud.
In truth, I need God to temper my gladness, to calm my joy, to keep my heart soft and humble when the sun is shining on me and when all goes well. I have seen fine men and women, with the light of heaven in their faces and the beauty of holiness in their lives, sadly spoiled by success. So I should be glad when, in the midst of my happiness, God in Jesus Christ makes Himself a living Reality and sanctifies my heart.
But in the night-time the Fire.
Not the fire that scorches, burns, destroys. But the fire that warms, comforts, enlightens, purifies, refines. In adversity I need God, to teach me the lessons of sorrow, to cheer my downcast soul, to uplift and beautify my life through the grievous discipline. If He comes close to me then, I shall be conducted to victory through the battles I seem to lose.
(2) The old story of the founding of Constantinople says that Constantine himself marked out the limits of the new city. When his courtiers saw what a vast circuit he was making they suggested to him it was time to stop. But Constantine was deaf to their remonstrances. I shall still advance, was his reply, till Hethe invisible Guide who marches before methinks proper to stop. So let none of us hesitate to follow wherever Christ leads.
(3) The writer does not seem to be able to get away from the thought that whatever the pillar indicated, immediate prompt obedience followed. He says so over and over again, and finishes by putting it all in one verse as the last impression which he would leave from the whole narrative.
SECOND OUTLINE
I. The important uses of the Pillar.It was a symbol of Gods Presence, and a symbol of Gods Providence. It was His Angela Guardian Angel and a Guiding Angelfor defence and direction.
II. Its distinguishing properties.
(1) It was peculiar to Gods peopleGod is specially present with, and makes special provision for His own.
(2) It was a constant benefit; by day and by night. Aye, and the varied aspect it presented was the means of securing the constant enjoyment of the benefit. If it had been always and only a pillar of fire, it would have made the heat of the day more oppressive, and if it had been always and only a pillar of cloud, it would have made the night more gloomy.
(3) It was an enduring benefit. Year after year, for the space of forty years, all the time they were on their journey through the wilderness, it failed them not. Nor will God fail or forsake His people until He has done them all the good He has spoken to them of,until He has brought them to the rest and inheritance on high.
III. Its instructive lessons.(1) It reminds us of our obligations. (2) It should impress us with a sense of our dependence. (3) It should remind us of the duty of submission to Gods will. The whole passage shows an entire submission. They journeyed when the cloud moved, they rested when the cloud rested!
Like the symbol, the subject has a dark side and a bright side, dark towards the enemies, bright towards the people of God.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
9:19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the {i} charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
(i) They waited when the Lord would signify either their departure, or their abode by the cloud.