Numbers 7-9 - Whenever the Cloud Would Go Up from over the Tent

Offerings of the Leaders

Num 7:9 LSB - [9] But he did not give [any] to the sons of Kohath because theirs [was] the service of the holy [objects, which] they carried on the shoulder.

Num 7:89 LSB - [89] Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him.

The Seven Lamps

Cleansing of the Levites

Num 8:17-19 LSB - [17] "For every firstborn among the sons of Israel is Mine, among the men and among the animals; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for Myself. [18] "But I have taken the Levites instead of every firstborn among the sons of Israel. [19] "And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the sons of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement on behalf of the sons of Israel, so that there will be no plague among the sons of Israel by their coming near to the sanctuary."

Retirement of the Levites

Num 8:25-26 LSB - [25] "But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from [their] duty in the service and not serve anymore. [26] "They may, however, minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting in order to keep [up] their responsibility, but they [themselves] shall perform no service. Thus you shall deal with the Levites concerning their responsibilities."

The Passover

Num 9:8-9 LSB - [8] Moses therefore said to them, "Wait, and I will listen to what Yahweh will command concerning you." [9] Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 9:13 LSB - [13] 'But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet neglects to celebrate the Passover, that person shall then be cut off from his people, for he did not bring near the offering of Yahweh at its appointed time. That man will bear his sin.

The Cloud Covering the Tabernacle

Num 9:15-16 LSB - [15] Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle until morning. [16] So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it [by day], and the appearance of fire by night.

Num 9:17 LSB - [17] Now whenever the cloud would go up from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp.

Num 9:22 LSB - [22] Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, dwelling above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out.

Lead on, O King Eternal, The day of march has come

Author: Ernest W. Shurtleff (1887)

1 Lead on, O King eternal,

the day of march has come;

henceforth in fields of conquest

your tents will be our home.

Through days of preparation

your grace has made us strong;

and now, O King eternal,

we lift our battle song.

2 Lead on, O King eternal,

till sin's fierce war shall cease,

and holiness shall whisper

the sweet amen of peace.

For not with swords' loud clashing

or roll of stirring drums

with deeds of love and mercy

the heavenly kingdom comes.

3 Lead on, O King eternal;

we follow, not with fears,

for gladness breaks like morning

where'er your face appears.

Your cross is lifted o'er us,

we journey in its light;

the crown awaits the conquest;

lead on, O God of might.