What happened when the cloud lifted and when it stopped?
When the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys, taking down the movable tabernacle and moving as directed until the cloud stopped. Wherever it stopped, the tabernacle was set up again and Israel encamped around it.
Les explains that the cloud rested over the tabernacle day and night—a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. When God intended Israel to move, every part of the tabernacle was made to be moved, with rings and staves. As soon as the cloud lifted, they took down the tabernacle and journeyed as directed, moving until the cloud stopped. Wherever and whenever it stopped, the tabernacle was set up again and Israel encamped. Les also notes the intense organization: the twelve tribes camped in order around the tabernacle, with Levi left out and Manasseh and Ephraim making up the twelve. When the cloud moved, it always went toward the east, and Judah, camped before the main gate, went first—indicating Christ would come from Judah, not Reuben.
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
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