Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Strict order and specific sanitary regulations were enforced,
rules essential to preserving health among so large a group of
people. It was also necessary to maintain perfect order and purity.
God declared: "The Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp,
to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your
camp shall be holy" (Deuteronomy 23:14).
In all of Israel's traveling, "the ark of the covenant of the Lord
went before them ... to search out a resting place for them." Priests
with silver trumpets were stationed near the ark, and these priests
received directions from Moses, which they communicated to the
people by the trumpets. It was the duty of the leaders of each
company to give precise directions concerning all the movements to
be made, as indicated by the trumpets.
God is a God of order. Everything connected with heaven is in
perfect order; complete discipline is a feature of the movements of
all the angels. Success can only come with order and cooperative,
well-balanced action. God requires this now just as much as in the
days of Israel.
God Himself directed the Israelites in their travels. The coming
down of the pillar of cloud showed the place they were to camp, and
the cloud rested over the tabernacle as long as they were to remain
in camp. When they were to continue their journey, it rose high
above the sacred tent.
It was only an eleven day journey between Mt. Sinai and
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