When they went, they went upon their four sides
Which four sides they had, by being made in the transverse way before mentioned; just as the New Jerusalem church state is said to be foursquare, ( Revelation 21:16 ) ; and this may denote the uniformity of Gospel churches in every state and condition, prosperous and adverse; and the constancy of their walk, conduct, and conversation: they turned not as they went:
neither to the right hand or the left, but went on in the path of faith and duty, keeping close to the word of God, and keeping up a conversation, discipline, and worship, according to it: but to the place where the head looked they, followed it;
meaning either the rulers, guides, and governors of churches, pastors and elders; whose faith and conversation are followed by the members: or rather Christ himself, the head of the church, who is to be followed whithersoever he goes or directs: unless by the head is meant the same as the spirit, ( Ezekiel 1:20 ) ; the Spirit of God, by whom the true members of Gospel churches are led, and after whom they walk. The Targum is,
``the place to which the first turned (or looked), after it they went;''that is, the first of the wheels; and so may signify that the primitive churches are the pattern after which all the churches in after ages are to go; they turned not as they went;