John Calvin Commentary Numbers 9:19

"And when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journeyed not." — Numbers 9:19 (ASV)

Then the children kept the charge of the Lord.⁴ Some, in my opinion, extend this too far, thinking that when the cloud remained, the children of Israel, being, as it were, at leisure, occupied themselves with the worship of God. However, I restrict it rather to that attentiveness which is then praised at some length. To keep the charge (Latin: custodiam), then, is equivalent to regarding the will of God with the greatest earnestness and care. For when the cloud had begun to rest in any place, the people knew that they were to remain there; but if on the next day they were not attentive, the cloud might vanish, and thus their neglect and carelessness might deprive them of this incomparable advantage.

To this end, it is said immediately afterwards that if for one day, or more, or even for a month, or a year, the cloud stood still, the people were, as it were, tied to the spot. The old interpreter⁵ has not badly rendered it, “The children of Israel were upon the watch,” since day and night they anxiously expected the time when God would command them to move forward.

The last verse of the chapter confirms this sense, where it is again added that they kept the charge of the Lord at His mouth by the hand of Moses: from which it appears that Moses was God’s interpreter, so that they might set forth on their march whenever the cloud, being lifted up, pointed out the way to them. Nor can it be doubted that it preceded them, so that they might know in what direction God would have them proceed and where they were to go.

Moreover, it must be observed that in both respects it is counted worthy of praise in the people that they should either journey or continue where they were, at God’s command. Thus, that absurd activity is condemned which engages in endless work, as if people could only obey God through turmoil. Whereas it is sometimes no less a virtue to rest when it so pleases God.⁶

⁴ Dathe agrees with Malvenda and other ancient commentators in adopting the opinion here rejected by C. “The sense of the passage (he says) is, that the Israelites set up the holy tabernacle, and observed the holy rites, if they were detained for many days in one place; but if for a short time only, the tabernacle was not set up. Whether this was to be the case or not was indicated to them by Moses, according to “The sense of the passage (he says) is, that the Israelites set up the holy tabernacle, and observed the holy rites, if they were detained for many days in one place; but if for a short time only, the tabernacle was not set up. Whether this was to be the case or not was indicated to them by Moses, according to ver. 23.”.”

⁵ I.e., the Vulgate: “Erant filii Israel in excubiis Domini.”the Vulgate: “Erant filii Israel in excubiis Domini.”

⁶ “They also serve, who only stand, and wait.” — Milton; Sonnet on his blindness.