Numbers 2

The Lord is a God of order. He spoke to Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, instructing them about how the people of Israel should move through the desert. They were to camp according to their tribes in four groups of three tribes each in a special formation around the holy center of Israel.

The leading tribe of the first group of tribes was the tribe of Judah, with that first group consisting of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. They were to camp on the east side, “toward the sunrise.” Our Lord descended from the tribe of Judah. Though Nahshon the son of Amminadab would lead the 74,600 fighting men of Judah, our hope is not in him. In both genealogies of Jesus his name would appear. Nahshon would lead the tribes camped toward the sunrise, but his descendant, Jesus, is the bright and morning star from on high for whom we wait. Nahshon would lead 186,400 from three tribes who would set out first on the march in the wilderness. Jesus is leading millions from every tribe and tongue and nation to a new heavens and earth.

On the south side, Elizur the son of Shedeur, the chief of the people of Reuben, Jacob's oldest son, would lead not only the Reubenites, but also the people of Simeon and Gad. They would move out in the second position after those camped on the east.

In the very middle of the line of the marching thousands of Israel would be the tent of meeting, and the Levites who had charge of the holy things. The tabernacle was in the middle of the camp at rest and in the middle of the marching men of Israel. God was in their midst.

After the tent came the tribes camped on the west, under the leadership of Ephraim. Finally, the tribe of Dan led the last group of tribes camped on the north.

Israel camped by their standards according to the Word of God through Moses. Israel marched out through the wilderness in tribal order by that same Word.

We had already heard the names of the tribal leaders. We had already considered the numbers of the thousands of fighting men from each tribe. What is new in this message of the order for camping and the order for moving out?

First we see that there are two notable positions in the camp and procession of Israel. One is in the very front of the line where the leading man of Judah sets out in front of the people of God. But the second is the position of God Himself in the midst of the Levites and the entire nation of Israel from the center of the camp.

Second it is clear that there was no way for any man in the Old Covenant to occupy both of those significant positions. No Israelite could be counted in the tribe of Judah and also serve at the center of the tent of meeting where only the Levites could serve.

We can now rejoice in this fact: that as we move out in service of God, our King and Lord is not only the best Son of Judah and leader of all Israel, but He is also the Son of God and the Temple of the Holy Spirit in our midst. He has the greatest place of honor in every sense as His church moves forward. If we rest, we rest in Him. If we serve, He is in the lead. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

Our God is the Lord of order. He has made His kingdom so that in all things Christ shall have the preeminence.