Usually we look at the book of Numbers and say it’s hard to understand. It deals with exactly that—numbers. It was for the Jews, but it has a spiritual lesson for us. God’s methods and purposes are still the same and have been fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
This is God’s rule for Israel after passing over the Red Sea. He didn’t want them rambling around or diddling along. There were dangers from the heathen nations, animals and especially the devil at their every step. They had only known captivity in Egypt. Now they needed to get from Point A to Point B. Numbers is about keeping track of people. Accounting and accountability.
Numbers 2:1 “And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. 17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.”
This chapter is fascinating. It’s a chapter you usually read without seeing it. It’s not just about counting people; it’s about order. Everything God has done and is doing has a purpose. It not only meant a great deal to Israel census-wise but as brothers looking for the Messiah. Those who died in faith looked ahead. We look back at the cross in that same faith.
God structured his people. He knew who they were, but their unity had been destroyed. Egypt saw to that. They had been fragmented, belittled, and harshly treated, just for being who they were. The blood on the door posts unified them and they walked out of Egypt together. This structure made them a nation. We are ordered as well. God orders the steps of a good man. Our steps are deliberate. We’re in the body of Jesus Christ with unity therein.
We see God’s two-fold order—one when they were camped and one when they moved. God meticulously took what could have been chaos for millions of people and made it structured. This order would sustain them 40 years. Even in their wanderings it would be retained, for it was written instruction. The devil’s purpose was to dislodge it. He tries to do the same to us and take us from the Lord. We are important to God. He built order by individuals then; he does it now.
He made a certain way to move and a certain order to set up camp. They couldn’t choose just any old way. They would saunter around. God chose to guide them by a cloud during the day and fire by night. This is what they followed. It was a must. God has so ordered our life. You’re not out of the loop. This was done to help Moses, but it also let each individual that he or she had a place. No matter how uncertain times got, they knew they had a place. God looked at each family and said “this is your place.” It was theirs and no one else’s. When the devil comes around, tell him you have a place right at the throne. There is a spot, ours only, right there.
Every family member had their own flag, their standard. They were to plant it by the ensign, or flag, of their forefathers. Verse 17 says they set forward every man in his place by their standards. In these days of “be what you want” I’m glad my life has an order. We’ve found a better way. We have a standard and our responsibility is to plant our flag by HIS family standard.
The tabernacle order was in direct center of all the tribes. Each one was equal distance from it. Each person was as close as the other. Populations of the tribes varied but they had equal rights to the tabernacle. We have equal rights to God. The house of the Lord is available to all. Israel had divinely-appointed helpers in the tribe of Levi. If they needed help at the tabernacle with anything, the Levites were there to assist. When I need help, I know you all will pray. I can find advice. We’re all a Levite to someone.
Due east was Judah with sister-tribes on either side. Reuben was due south with sister-tribes on either side. Ephraim was due west with sister-tribes on either side. Dan was due north with sister-tribes on either side. It looked like a blueprint. God took millions of people and gave them a place to be and operate as a unit. They formed a circle, oriented with the tabernacle and the Levites in the middle.
The numbers vary for heads of household, and were numbered. There were lots of families in even the smallest tribe. We have no idea how many were in each family. It started with an individual. The parents were next. This made a family. Families formed tribal families. Tribes formed the nation. God took millions who didn’t know each other and gave them a place of identity, an area equally distant of the center. All God wanted them to do was pitch their flag, and stay in place. This is sure the time for us to stick together. If there was no individual, there could be no family or tribe or nation. The significance is that a total of 600+ thousand families mattered individually.
Read it. Get it in your mind. This chapter tells how it was structured and set up. It tells how they were to move. There were four ranks. What does this say to us? They set forward and pitched by their standard. It was God’s way and it was ordered.
Find the reason each tribe was placed as it was. Study it out.
I’m thankful that when I get to heaven the throne of God will be the center, and I’ll be there.
And I am thankful that, even down here, He has appointed me and you a place as well.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 