Numbers 2:2. “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.”
THEIR STANDARD. Arrangements are carefully planned – 12 square miles of order is obvious from far away. Each tribe in it place – everyone knows where they belong. The rectangle shape around the tabernacle has a reason. Protection for the holy place where God dwells.
North, south, east and west – the 12 tribes have their place to be at every stop. And there within that group, the standards are raised. Each one different, unique, special in color and shape; There are reasons behind this too – families are identified.
Organization of this kind is an effective way to govern and manage a large group. Huge numbers of people and yet easily found by those looking for them. Fanned out from the tabernacle looking for the ensign;
One goes past from tribe to tribe, clan to clan and then to the family.
Keeping things orderly makes dividing the land in a future day much easier. There will be no problem knowing who is who, and what family belongs where. Culture and heritage, not last name is how they are known. Each family is pitched by his own standard – his father’s ensign nearby.
Genealogies are kept in this way in detailed order, proving their true pedigree. Membership in God’s chosen nation has to be provable for coming inheritance. Generation after generation need to pitch by the banner of the father’s house; Then can the proof of each person’s identity be kept in tact.
Travel is efficient when a banner waves above – the children know where they belong. As we travel to our heavenly home – we need the stability of our own standard. Our place of abode is stable even though we are passing through the wilderness. Our position in the nation is not to be something we ignore.
We stay where we belong, we rally to the ensign of our fathers. We gather where the standard we belong to still waves above our home. When we obey God’s plan, there is no confusion, no question as to where I should be. I camp around the tabernacle, where we have been for a lifetime and our fathers too.
The ranks around are shifting, the tribes are being confused, the nation in disorder. But I will still go to the flag I recognize; the ensign of our fathers is still flying. This is the standard that I claim for myself – my own banner. I will gather here, in this way, to this banner – because I believe this is God’s plan.
“Father in heaven, I have been in this nation for a lifetime. I have been gathered under this banner since I was born. I believe this ensign to be the one Thou dost recognize as the place for me. By Thy grace and keeping power – here I will stay. Keep me please, from having wandering feet and a discontented mind. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”