Exodus 40:36

36 And when the cloud went up from the tabernacle, the children of Israel prepared to depart with their baggage.

Exodus 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 ) .

Exodus 40:36 In-Context

34 And the cloud covered the tabernacle of witness, and the tabernacle was filled with the glory of the Lord.

35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tabernacle of testimony, because the cloud overshadowed it, and the tabernacle was filled with the glory of the Lord.

36 And when the cloud went up from the tabernacle, the children of Israel prepared to depart with their baggage.

37 And if the cloud went not up, they did not prepare to depart, till the day when the cloud went up.

38 For a cloud was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night before all Israel, in all their journeyings.