The
Encampment
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
‘The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it,
each man under his standard with the banners of his family.” Num. 2:1-2
Num.
2:1-34 detailed the encampment. This
chapter is fascinating and filled with vital information, God patterns, and God
principles. Judah was on the east side, to the
right. It was seen as a position of
honor. Issachar and Zebulun joined this
tribe. Their mother was Leah. Moses, Aaron and their sons were the Levites
specifically chosen to reside on that side.
This was also recognized as the front line in battle – in total, the 3
tribes had 186,400 soldiers. Num. 2:9
states they would be the first to break camp.
The standard of Judah was the lion.
To
the south was Reuben, followed by Simeon and Gad. Their mothers were Leah and Zilpah, her
handmaiden. The banner of Reuben was a
man. The Kohathites were the Levites
chosen to occupy the south side. The
total number was 151,450 of warriors.
They would be the second to break camp.
On
the west was Ephraim, whose banner was a bull.
Manasseh and Benjamin joined him.
Rachel gave birth to Benjamin, and to Joseph (who then had Ephraim and
Manasseh). This west side totaled
108,100. The Gershonites were the
Levites occupying this side. Ephraim
would be the third to break camp.
To
the north side was Dan and his standard was an eagle. Asher and Napthali joined him. Their mothers were Bilah an Zilpah. The total fighting force was 157,600. The Mahlites and Mushites were the Levites
chosen to live on the north side. Dan
would be the last to break camp.
When re-organized based on troop size, you will
find the encampment takes the shape of a cross.
Also noteworthy is Num. 2:17, “And
the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the camp of the Levites in the
middle of the camps; as they camp, so they shall move out everyone in his
place, by their standards.” The
Levites would always be in the middle of the encampment.
No comments:
Post a Comment