The total number of men in the camp of Dan is 157,600; they shall set out last, under their standards." Sermons
I. AS THE SOURCE OF ORDER. Israel formed an armed encampment, not a mob. The place of each tribe was assigned by God, and thus was not a matter of caprice or partiality on the part of Moses (verse Numbers 2:34). They were grouped according to their tribes and families. A post in the rearguard was as honourable as one in the van, because a matter of Divine appointment. Yet all "afar off," as a sign of the reverence due to their God. Apply this truth to the tribes, i.e., the visible Churches and denominations of the Israel of God. This may be illustrated from apostolic days, or from modern Church history. Each has a position, historical, geographical, social, assigned by the providence of God. Each tribe had some peculiarities (cf. Genesis 49), as each section of the Church has. And as there were, no doubt, reasons for the position allotted to every family, so the God of "order" and "peace" (1 Corinthians 14) designed that every Church should fill its appointed place ("by its own standard," etc.), and, as part of the militant host, stand in orderly relations to himself and to the brotherhood. The same truth extends to individuals, the bounds of their habitation and the sphere of their service having been fixed by God. II. AS A CENTER OF ATTRACTION. The doors of the tents probably faced the tabernacle. It was a center of attraction - 1. For guidance, through the high priest, and Moses, and the symbolic cloud (cf. Psalm 25:4, 5, 9, 15). 2. For pardon, through sacrifice. And God himself is the only hope of a sinful Church (Jeremiah 14:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). 3. For purity, through the restraining and elevating influence of a holy God ever present in their midst (cf. Deuteronomy 23:14 with 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1). III. AS A PLEDGE OF SAFETY, both when encamped (verse 2) or on the march (verse Numbers 2:17). So "God is in the midst" "of the tabernacles of the Most High," the homes of his people (cf. Deuteronomy 4:7, and Romans 8:31). He is in our midst as "a lion" to terrify our foes (Hosea 11:10; see Acts 5:17-42), as a fire to enlighten and to protect (Isaiah 4:5), as "a man of war" to fight for us (Isaiah 49:25, 26; Numbers 23:21). This presence of God in our midst should inspire (1) confidence (Deuteronomy 33:29), (2) reverence (Psalm 89:7), (3) joy (Psalm 118:15), and should prepare us for the fulfillment of the promise in Revelation 21:3-7. - P.
The camp of Judah. : —I. THE TRIBE. "Judah" signifies praise. "Now will I praise the Lord," said his mother Leah at his birth (Genesis 29:35). Thus is the spiritual Judah established and made a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:7), to the glory of God of whom it is born and made. This whole family in heaven and earth is named and appointed to be a continual praise to the glory of the omnipotent grace of Jehovah. Kings and priests as they all are, is not each "a brand plucked out of the fire"? (Zechariah 3:2). II. THEIR ENCAMPMENT. "Judah shall encamp." But in what form and order? Upon this we have only to say, with respect to the spiritual Judah, that the mystical Cross of their great High Priest embodies itself in all their stations and movements, gives shape to all their hopes and expectations, directs and regulates their prayers, praises, and exertions. Whatever they attempt or whatever they enjoy is conformed to the Cross. III. THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE CAMP IS SITUATED. Judah shall encamp toward the sun-rising. Such too is the cheerful situation of the beloved people; they have the evening behind them, and the morning in their eye. All are looking towards the rising day, towards the Day-star from on high. IV. Judah's encampment toward the sun-rising was to be WITH HIS BANNER. Banners gave the signal for the people to march; they were painted upon hills and eminences, that they might be seen at a distance, and straightway the hosts marched towards and gathered round them. So it is with our banner of the Cross. It is a magnet of irresistible attraction. Wherever it is lifted up, there is a movement, an excitement, a stir, and the elect of God gather around it with exultation or with weeping. V. JUDAH'S host. How astonished should we be, what mingled terror and great joy would surprise us, if suddenly those covering angel-hosts, which encompass the spiritual Israel, were to burst the veil which renders them invisible to mortal eyes, and come forth at once into full view! Some in this world have been favoured to behold a portion of those invisible squadrons which always attend the children of God. Judah's host is the heavenly band of "watchers," who are sent forth to minister to the safety and welfare of those who shall be heirs of salvation. VI. The name of Judah's CAPTAIN IS NAHSHON, SON OF AMMINADAB. This name truly belongs to the Prince of the host, the Captain of our salvation. Nahshon signifies experience; and who is so experienced in conflict as He who was made perfect in sufferings, and having spoiled principalities and powers, overcame death, and opened to us the gate of everlasting life! Who is so experienced a captain as He, whose unslumbering pastoral care has been exercised for ages in behalf of His people! Who is so experienced in the tumult and alarm of war as He, against whom the infatuated and cold-hearted world have been bearing arms day and night for so many centuries I And who is so accustomed to triumph as He, who is making all such enemies His footstool and everywhere abides last upon the field! Appropriate therefore to Him is the name of Nahshon. He is also as truly in character "the son of Amminadab." For this name, which signifies "My people are a willing gift," directs our thoughts first to God the Father, as freely giving to Christ all who will ever come unto Him, and as making them also willing in the day of His power. (F. W. Krummacher, D. D.) II. III. IV. 1. Believe in their destiny. 2. Work for their destiny. 3. Wait for their destiny.Let every privilege conferred upon us increase our assurance of the splendid honours which await us hereafter. (W. Jones). People Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, ZurishaddaiPlaces SinaiTopics 157, Camp, 600, Dan, Fifty, Fifty-seven, Flags, Forth, Forward, Hindmost, Hundred, Journey, Numbered, Rear, Seven, Six, Standard, Standards, Tents, Thousand, TotalOutline 1. The order of the tribes in their tents.Dictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 2:25-30Library NumbersLike the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 2:31 NIVNumbers 2:31 NLT Numbers 2:31 ESV Numbers 2:31 NASB Numbers 2:31 KJV Numbers 2:31 Bible Apps Numbers 2:31 Parallel Numbers 2:31 Biblia Paralela Numbers 2:31 Chinese Bible Numbers 2:31 French Bible Numbers 2:31 German Bible Numbers 2:31 Commentaries Bible Hub |
    |