Numbers

Numbers 2:1-2

The tribes were to be organized.  Our God is not a God of chaos, disorganization – everything is ordered, has its place and purpose.  We see this in the tabernacle and we'll see it in His people.  They were organized by their tribe and to be camped near their standard.  The standard was some sort of banner or flag, probably attached to a pole.  The flag was marked with the emblem of their tribe.

The tabernacle has been called a portable Mt. Sinai by some.  It is the central place of holiness, the most holy place on earth.  This was where man met God and God met man.  Keeping a distance from it was to keep from defiling it by man's sinful activities and the effects of a sin fallen word on men.   

Numbers 2:3-31

There's a problem with understanding and reconciling the numbers given.  This is likely due to the raw count of people being confused with the military divisions given as counts of groups. 

• To the East Side; and the first to break camp.
  • Judah
  • Issachar – next to Judah
  • Zebulun – next to Judah
• To the South side; and second to break camp.
  • Reuben
  • Simeon – next to Reuben
  • Gad – next to Reuben

When they are on the move, the tabernacle would next be placed in the procession.  This would include on the Levites with their assigned role in carrying the tabernacle and all its parts.  Note that everything moves out specifically, "everyone in his place." 

• To the West side, and the third to break camp
  • Ephraim
  • Manasseh – next to Ephraim
  • Benjamin – next to Ephraim
• To the North side, and the last group to break camp
  • Dan
  • Asher – next to Dan
  • Naphtali – next to Dan

Numbers 2:32-34

The Israelites were numbered and given order, a place before God.  The Lord is the reference point for their lives.  The Levites were not counted among the people.  The camp then had 12 parts, consisting of twelve tribes surrounding the Levites who were in four divisions surrounding the tabernacle.  All of which was built to surround the holy of holies. 

God had placed himself right in the middle of the camp of Israelites.  He was visible to every Israelite as fire by night and cloud by day.  Is God at the center of our camp?  

The flag was green and the banner for Judah was the Lion.  To the North are Dan, Asher and Naphtali.  The flag was red and white and the banner had an eagle on it. To the west are Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin.  The flag was golden and the banner had the head of a calf.  To the South are Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.  The flag was red and had the face of a man.  Drawn in proportion this would put 108,000 to the left, 157,000 to the top, 151000 to the bottom and 186,000 to the right.  This is very close to proportional and representative of a cross.  The lion, face of the man, calf and eagle are reminiscent of the 4 faces of the cherubim.  This represents the angels of the Lord encamped with the righteous around the presence of the Lord. 

© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater