This was the first time they moved out following the Lord's command through Moses.
The tribal divisions of Judah went first, marching out under their flag, with Nahshon, son of Amminadab, in charge.
Sometimes the cloud only stayed over the Tabernacle for a few days. As always they followed the Lord's command as to whether to camp or to move on.
They camped when the Lord told them to, and left when he told them to. They followed the Lord's instructions that he gave to Moses.
The Lord our God told us at Horeb: “You have remained here beside this mountain for long enough.