The Isrealites brought offerings to God each with in their ability and in order, and through their obedience we see true worship. God was teaching them how to worship Him, not just with the physical offerings but with their hearts and their all.
Just like God always guided and protected the Isrealites by cloud and fire, so does He still do that to this day. He protected the Isrealites from the desert heat by cloud and shielded them from the desert cold by warming them with fire.
