“It’s time to get in line, it’s time; you in front and me behind, it’s time” … These are the opening words I used to sing when lining up my pre first class of boys and girls. I learned that to sing directions to these little ones got their attention and made them smile. I also learned that order alleviated their fears and promoted good behaviors such as kindness for each other. I learned that when order in my classroom was created and maintained with guidelines and consistent boundaries; the environment gave my students a sense of peace with less fear. I would see in their eyes and body language.
God is a God of order. Creation would be chaotic without His order and control. Less learning takes place in chaotic situations. God knows that about the humans He created in His image. So, God is now teaching His People how to line up so they can keep moving in an orderly fashion on their journey to the promised land they seek. God’s way of order will keep the hundreds of thousands of people safe as they pick up their things and leave for the next camp site.
“Keep all arms and legs inside the ride at all times! Keep a close watch on your family so they will not be separated and get lost.” These directions given by most amusement parks are like the reasons that God orgainizes His people—for their own good and safety! When we do what Organizers say; we will be protected.
Where God guides; He provides for every part of the journey with all He knows we will need. Trust the Organizer for He knows what comes next on the journey!
Numbers 2
The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps
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.
10 On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. 11 His division numbers 46,500.
12 The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 13 His division numbers 59,300.
14 The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel.[a] 15 His division numbers 45,650.
16 All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second.
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.
18 On the west will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud. 19 His division numbers 40,500.
20 The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. 21 His division numbers 32,200.
22 The tribe of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. 23 His division numbers 35,400.
24 All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third.
25 On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan under their standard. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26 His division numbers 62,700.
27 The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran. 28 His division numbers 41,500.
29 The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan. 30 His division numbers 53,400.
31 All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last, under their standards.
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.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
God is not the creator of confusion and chaos; He is the God of order. Look at a leaf closely and see the pattern of veins with a purposeful way to feed the plant. Look at a single snow flake under a microscope and observe the beautiful unique, symmetrical pattern. There are patterns and order to our numerical system which give us glimpses of all things created by God. This is called the book of Numbers or more than one reason but the greatest truth to learn is: God likes order for our good and His glory!
When the motions of the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle announced that the camp would move, it would have been difficult if not impossible to break camp and start the march quickly and efficiently without some kind of order in the camp. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40) Paul wrote the early churches as an admonition for God’s people in every age, “for God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
The twelve tribes had to be careful not to camp too close to the tabernacle, for that area was reserved for the priests and Levites. To venture too near to the sacred tent could mean death. Also, each tribe was to display its standard and each family its banner.
Sidebar: Solomon wrote, “Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.” (Solomon 2:4) Solomon wrote a sonnet of true love between a bride and groom but parallels the relentless love of God that Jesus demonstrated as he gave his life for our sins. Believers in Jesus have a banner which declares the standard of Christ the waves over the family of God. This banner of love identifies all who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord! That’s why we sing the song, “His banner over me is love”…
We can’t help but see Israel’s camp as an illustration of what God’s church ought to be in this world: people on a pilgrim people following the Lord, with His glory at the heart of everything and His presence leading the way. Israel was one people, united in the Lord and to each other. Yet each separate company was recognized by God, displayed its own unique banner, occupied its own special place, and marched at the Lord’s command!
Under whose banner do we identify in our world?
To what drumbeat do we march daily? Is it the heartbeat of God or someone/something else?
“Choose this day who you will serve,” will be proclaimed by Joshua who will later follow in Moses footsteps as leader. Joshua 24:15) Joshua leads God’s People to a time of decision: Are you on the Lord’s side or not? “As for me and my house, we will worship the Lord.”
Today, we still only have two real choices: God who sent His Son to redeem us and set us free; Or the evil one who distracts, confuses, divides, deceives, deconstructs our faith and unity with the goal of death forever to all who believe in Jesus.
Our response: Choose this day whom you will serve. Our responses to life’s circumstances will reflect who we truly believe and serve. Having the choice of living in confusion and chaos; I choose the peace of Christ that is above all things and in all things as God’s gift to us.
Lord,
You chose me. I choose you. I offer my life to you, all of it. Mold and shape me into all you have created me to be and then do. I’m yours and I’m listening.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 