Numbers 2 ORDER IN THE CAMP As an observer looking on from a distance, I am impressed with the arrangement of the large moving nation of millions of people, both when on a march forward and when stopped. There was a design and order that preserved cleanliness in the camp so no one was too far away from the Tabernacle in the center where God dwelt in the middle of the camp, or the outside border. By placing the tribes in prescribed positions, God made it possible to maintain unity in the best possible way. Those who know each other best, both the strengths and weaknesses, lived together where their own flag was raised. Each tribe had its own standard (flag) and perhaps families had a similar one to identify it. Every man had his place and duties to his family, to his tribe and to the dwelling place of God. Each knew where he belonged and was expected to stay there. We all have been assigned responsibilities by God and are obligated to fulfill and keep them. There will be conflicts we have to face in life. There is the challenge between law and grace, and our obligation to each. There is conflict between the Holy Spirit within and the flesh that tries to control me. There is conflict in the life of a believer between the powers of darkness that constantly tempt us, and the commitment to follow the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.
Believers need to know their own flag - to whom we owe our allegiance. There are all kinds of Christian organizations and groups that try to claim my attention and time. But I am committed to those I know who follow the Word of God as given to us in the Bible as the only source of instruction for our belief and conduct. The Divine Teacher and Guide in such places is the Holy Spirit.
In the camp of Israel no one needed to compare his position with others nor be jealous of another person's place, work and ability. God made that decision for them. God has a design that governs all that happens. It is our privilege to be part of that great design and to function in it according to the ability God has given us. God is occupied with and concerned about everything we do. As long as the Israelites followed God's order, they were successful. The same is true in the house of God today. To continue in the spirit of obedience to God's Word, and faith in Him to enable us to accomplish His will, we will then be successful.
Judah, Issachar and Zebulun were on the east side of the Tabernacle, and were to lead the nation when they moved. There was a very practical reason for this - they had the most men. Those three tribes formed the spear-point of the march. Their united strength would be very intimidating to any of the enemy tribes who observed the movement of that great migrating company. Moving right in order behind the first three tribes were Reuben, Simeon and Gad with the third largest number of men fitted for battle. They were in the order in which they could be fighting for their women, children, possessions and the security of the non-combatant Levities who were carrying the Tabernacle and its furniture which traveled right in the middle of the host of people. The house of God was surrounded by those who were willing to die for it.
As the Tabernacle would pass by in the order of the march, the tribes of Rachel's children: Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin, the smallest group, stepped forward in order to guard the Tabernacle and Levites from behind. Then moving into the line of march from the north were the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali, the second largest group to provide a large rear-guard to the movement. Enemies who would try to attack from behind would find a very formidable army to face. This whole pattern of design God made, is the strongest way of moving forward securely. The weak and strong moved all together providing safety by the efforts of the strong and continual support and supply by those who were weaker as they did what they could to preserve their families, tribe, nation and the dwelling place of God.
To watch a work of God controlled and directed by God, and willing and obedient participants who love the Lord, is a wonderful thing to see. The Lord's Supper carried out in a biblical way has been a wonder to some who have watched from the observer’s seat. Interaction between people who are committed to God and to the assembly of His people, does not have to be organized like a business. When a person knows they are in the right place, and has an awareness of the gift or gifts God has given them, then in confidence in the leadership of the Holy Spirit, they do what they can and it meshes with all of the rest of the assembly. Some will do more than others because of the ability God gives, but there is no reason for dispute or jealousy. We are all under the same banner.
The order God had directed to Israel would maintain a defensive position, preserve tribal and family identity and preserve and maintain cleanliness in the camp. Jealousy and rivalry would be reduced and unity would be preserved as the whole camp would unite in loyalty and obedience to God who dwelt in their midst. The order of the camp would also make it easier to manage and govern the affairs of day to day living when they were in one location. When the time came, they reached the promised land, the same order would make dividing the land according to tribes much easier. Culture and family identity were able to be maintained over the coming years, and family genealogies could be more easily kept. By means of the order and design God gave, travel was more efficient and without confusion. The setting up of the encampment of a tent city of about twenty square miles could be done with a minimum of confusion. God's ways are always best. The whole book of Numbers teaches us the benefit of doing things according to God's design. It also gives warnings when we take things into our own hands to do things in our own way.
Another purpose of the book of Numbers deals with the needs of our souls that we might be ready for divine service for God and be fruitful in it. We learn from chapter two the blessings and reasons for order in the activities of God's people and how we relate to the house of God. For those within the congregation every person could be assured and confident of their own significance for the good of the whole group. Everyone could be assured of the safety and security, not only of the people, but the place where God put His name. Each person could know and be satisfied with the role he or she had to fill. They didn't need to compare what they did with what others did. It would have been wonderful if the Israelites had been willing to leave God's design and order alone. But human beings what they are, self-interests often come in and disrupt what works so well when we follow God's order.