Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

had approved the work of their hands, and had condescended to dwell more
directly with them than ever before.
The Lord directed the Israelites in all their travels through the
wilderness. When it was for his glory and the good of the people, that they
should pitch their tents in a certain place, and there abide, God signified his
will to them by permitting the pillar of cloud to rest directly over the
tabernacle. And there it remained until God would have them journey again.
Then the cloud was lifted up high above the tabernacle, and they journeyed
again. In all their journeyings they observed perfect order. Every tribe bore a
standard, with the sign of their father's house upon it, and every tribe was
commanded to pitch by their own standard. And when they traveled, the
different tribes marched in order, every tribe under their own standard. When
they rested from their journeyings, the tabernacle was erected, and the
different tribes pitched their tents in order, in just such a position as God had
commanded, around the tabernacle, at a distance from it.
When the people journeyed, the ark of the covenant was borne before
them. "And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out
of the camp. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said,
Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee
flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many
thousands of Israel."
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