Shemot 40:36

36 And when the Anan was taken up from over the Mishkan, the Bnei Yisroel went onward in all their journeys;

Shemot 40:36 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 40:36

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle,
&c.] By the Lord himself, or it removed by his order, that is, rose up and stood above the tabernacle, and appeared in the form of a pillar, and went before it:

the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys;
the motion of the cloud was a direction to set forward and continue their journey as long as it lasted; but when it rested and abode upon the tabernacle, then they stopped and rested also, as is suggested in the following verse ( Exodus 40:37 ) , see ( Numbers 9:17-23 ) thus the saints are to be followers of God as dear children, and to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes or directs, and walk after the Spirit, the dictates and directions thereof; so the wheels in Ezekiel's vision went and stood, as did the living creatures, and the spirit in them, ( Ezekiel 1:19-21 ) .

Shemot 40:36 In-Context

34 Then the Anan covered the Ohel Mo’ed, and the Kavod Hashem filled the Mishkan.

35 And Moshe was not able to enter into the Ohel Mo’ed, because the [Shekinah] cloud abode thereon, and the Kavod Hashem filled the Mishkan.

36 And when the Anan was taken up from over the Mishkan, the Bnei Yisroel went onward in all their journeys;

37 But if the Anan were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

38 For the Anan Hashem was upon the Mishkan by day, and Eish was on it by night, in the sight of all the Bais Yisroel, throughout all their journeys. T.N. The Theme of gracious, unmerited Deliverance and Salvation for an Am Kesheh Oref (Obstinate Stiffnecked People) has been presented in the Second Book of Moses.