The first thing God did before leading his people from Mount Sinai was gather them into their ancestral tribes and count them. We read about that yesterday. In today’s reading he organizes them further in preparation for the travels that lie ahead. They are going to be wilderness camping for awhile; they have to know how to set up and take down their camp, and how to travel in an orderly way.

God uses the points of the compass to assign the tribes their positions around the tabernacle. He starts with the tribe of Judah, placing them on the east side of the tabernacle, foreshadowing the importance of that tribe for the future. When the Messiah comes he will be from the tribe of Judah. When he comes the second time he will come from the east toward Jerusalem, the place where God has made his dwelling on earth. It’s appropriate that, Judah the tribe of the Messiah, be first and be placed on the eastern side of the holy place of worship.

The Order of the Camp

Starting on the east side of the tabernacle courtyard and moving clockwise, God told the tribes where they each would camp. They were to set up away from the tabernacle, leaving room between their tents and the courtyard for the Levite clans to camp.

There were four groups with three tribes each. Each group had a lead tribe that moved out first and led the other two in the procession.

Judah

Judah was first, and in their group were the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun. This was the largest group with a total of 186,400 men. Moses and Aaron and their sons pitched their tents between this group and the entrance to the courtyard, on the east side of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise.

I’m just speculating here, but I can imagine that Moses was the first man up to meet with God every morning. He and Aaron and his sons were in charge of everything that happened with the priests and the tabernacle so it would be good to get an early start each day.

Reuben

On the south side of the tabernacle was the lead tribe of Reuben, with Simeon and Gad in their group. Between their camp and the tabernacle were the Kohathites.

The Kohathites were assigned to care for the holiest parts of the tabernacle, including the Ark, the table for the sacred bread, the lampstand, the altars of incense and sacrifice, and all of the implements that went with them. They also took care of the curtain that shielded the Holy of Holies. We will read more about how they handled all of these holy items in future passages.

 All of these sacred items were carried on the shoulders of the Kohathites as they traveled.

Ephraim

On the west side of the tabernacle courtyard was tribe of Ephraim, who led Manasseh and Benjamin.

The Levites who camped between these tribes and the tabernacle were the Gershonite clan. Their job was to carry the cover of the tabernacle, its curtain walls and the curtain at the front of it. They also carried the curtains that surrounded the courtyard and its entrance. They kept track of the ropes needed to quickly set up the tabernacle whenever Israel stopped and camped.

The Gershonites had two carts and four oxen to carry their loads.

Dan

 The tribe of Dan led Asher and Naphtali as they camped on the north side of the tabernacle. Between their tents and the courtyard were the Merarite clan of Levites.

The Merarites took care of the frames, crossbars, posts, post bases, and tent pegs that supported the tabernacle. They were supplied with four carts and eight oxen to carry all of these items.

Redeeming the Firstborn Sons of Israel

 God had chosen the tribe of Levi to serve him in place of all of the firstborn sons of Israel. When God sacrificed the firstborn sons of Egypt to free Israel, he claimed Israel’s firstborns for himself.

In Numbers 3:40-51 God had Moses count all of the firstborn Israelite males. There were 273 more Israelite males in Israel than there were Levites, so God told the people to redeem the extra males with five silver shekels each. The money went into the care of Aaron and his sons.

Overview of Numbers

 As we read Numbers we will encounter some more laws to add to the ones we have already studied. Many times God gave new laws as new situations arose in Israel, and the new laws always promoted holiness and integrity for Israel and especially among their families.

There are some amazing stories ahead as Israel moves through the wilderness. If we pay attention we will see God wear his heart for his people on his sleeve. Like a husband with a beloved wife, God will feel tender, impatient, exasperated and angry by turns, but he will never forsake Israel. The Old Testament shows us the heart of God the Father, as well the holiness and justice of God Almighty.

For a great overview of Numbers, check out this video from the Bible Project: