Numbers 2: The Camp of Israel Centered on the Lord

Numbers 2

New International Version (NIV)

The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps

 ¹ The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: ² “The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.”

 ³ On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. ⁴ His division numbers 74,600.

 ⁵ The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. ⁶ His division numbers 54,400.

 ⁷ The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. ⁸ His division numbers 57,400.

 ⁹ All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.

 ¹⁷ Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in their own place under their standard.

 ³² These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All the men in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. ³³ The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

 ³⁴ So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.

Daniel’s Thoughts:

Israel is a mighty nation as they travel through the nations and the desert. Their army of men numbers 603,550. This nation must have looked fearsome as they set out and looking upon their camp. Not only was their army and nation vast, but their God was with them. The Lord God of Israel protected his people Israel. He gave them food and water in the desert to sustain them. The very presence of God was with Israel and did not leave them, God’s presence was visible in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22)

As they marched the Tent of Meeting marched with Israel. They camped and marched around the Tent of Meeting at their center, yet they had to keep their distance. Only the Levites could camp close around or carry the Tent of Meeting. The Levites were an entire tribe not counted in this number because they had other work to the Lord. Lets say maybe a low estimate of 20,000 able men in the tribe of Levites. That is a massive group of people wholy devoted to serving the Lord!

Israel camped and marched as the Lord commanded through Moses. They marched when God commanded and camped when he commanded. For now Israel followed the Lord as they were led by Moses.

This passage says the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded! What a testimony to how present God was and how for a time these people were faithful to God.

Daniel’s Prayer:

Lord

Guide me with your plans

Let me center my plans and future on you.

Reveal your will

Help me to follow everything you command!

If you are calling me to do ministry specifically with IV

Please reveal your will and call in this over the next year

I want to commit my whole life and career to you

Whether you call me to ministry or engineering or whatever.

All glory to you Lord!

Amen