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> Numbers > Num. 9:18 - Marching and Camping
Introduction
The Nation Marching
Moving the Tabernacle
The Order during the March
Thoughts
The Nation Camping
The Organization of the Camp
Duties within the Camp
Thoughts
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Marching and Camping
Num. 9:18
Num. 9:18
Introduction
God’s involvement with His people is total (9:18, 23); with
the nation of Israel He told them when to march and the manner of their
marching; and He told the nation when to camp and how the camp was to be
organized (2:34); both the marching and the camping were ordered by God
(9:15-23).
In fact, all of the nation’s life was directed and ordered by God – the worship, including the sacrifices to be offered and the festivals to be observed, family relationships, foods that could be eaten, farming practices, social regulations, health guidelines, and specific clean and unclean practices.
Against such national and religious directions by God, the psalmist stated in regards to his personal life: “Direct my steps by Your word” (119:133); the wise man echoed the same sentiment: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).
In Scripture there is not only a willingness to be directed in how to live one’s life, but there is a desire to be directed; to think in this manner reveals a commitment to the truth that life is not about the individual but about God.
Life is not to be lived according to the desire and design of the individual; that is not the individual’s right; life is from God and belongs to God; it is to be lived for Him.
In fact, all of the nation’s life was directed and ordered by God – the worship, including the sacrifices to be offered and the festivals to be observed, family relationships, foods that could be eaten, farming practices, social regulations, health guidelines, and specific clean and unclean practices.
Against such national and religious directions by God, the psalmist stated in regards to his personal life: “Direct my steps by Your word” (119:133); the wise man echoed the same sentiment: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).
In Scripture there is not only a willingness to be directed in how to live one’s life, but there is a desire to be directed; to think in this manner reveals a commitment to the truth that life is not about the individual but about God.
Life is not to be lived according to the desire and design of the individual; that is not the individual’s right; life is from God and belongs to God; it is to be lived for Him.
The Nation Marching
Moving the Tabernacle
The Levites were to dismantle, pack, carry, and setup the
Tabernacle at the new destination; they were to transport the Tabernacle and
all of its furnishings (2:47-51).
Three sons of Levi (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari) provided three divisions in the work of the Tabernacle: Gershonites – carried the tent, screen for the door, and the fabric wall around the Tabernacle (3:21-26); Kohathites – carried the furniture and the interior veil (3:27-31); and the Merarites – carried the supporting skeletal material (3:33-37).
Three sons of Levi (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari) provided three divisions in the work of the Tabernacle: Gershonites – carried the tent, screen for the door, and the fabric wall around the Tabernacle (3:21-26); Kohathites – carried the furniture and the interior veil (3:27-31); and the Merarites – carried the supporting skeletal material (3:33-37).
The Order during the March
The tribes on the east (Judah,
Issachar, and Zebulun) broke camp first, followed by the tribes on the south
(Reuben, Gad, and Simeon) which broke camp second; then followed the tribe
of Levi bearing the Tabernacle and its furnishings—the Tabernacle was to be
in the middle of the march; the tribes on the west (Ephraim, Manasseh, and
Benjamin) then followed, and finally the tribes on the north (Dan, Asher,
and Naphtali).
Thoughts
All details of the nation’s march were ordered
by the Lord; they started and stopped according to His directions; the fire
and the cloud led them (9:15-23).
The Nation Camping
The Organization of the Camp
The Tabernacle was to be erected and placed in the
center of the camp, with all tribes camped around it; the Tabernacle was
150’ by 75’ and had one door, which always faced east.
Moses and Aaron were just outside the door of the Tabernacle (3:38), camped on the east side.
The Levites were to camp around the Tabernacle (1:53); the three divisions of the Levites camped as follows: Gershonites on the west; Kohathites on the south; and Merarites on the north.
The remaining tribes were to camp on the four sides of the Tabernacle, with three tribes on each side: East – Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; South – Reuben, Gad, and Simeon; West – Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin; North – Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.
Moses and Aaron were just outside the door of the Tabernacle (3:38), camped on the east side.
The Levites were to camp around the Tabernacle (1:53); the three divisions of the Levites camped as follows: Gershonites on the west; Kohathites on the south; and Merarites on the north.
The remaining tribes were to camp on the four sides of the Tabernacle, with three tribes on each side: East – Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; South – Reuben, Gad, and Simeon; West – Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin; North – Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.
Duties within the Camp
The Levites were to do the work of the Tabernacle, setting it up,
dismantling and transporting it, and then setting it up again; also they
directed all of the ceremonial practices related to the Tabernacle (1:47-53;
3:5-10, 32, 38).
Thoughts
When the nation was at camp, God was among His people; He was in the center;
all of the nation was arranged around the symbol of His Presence, the
Tabernacle. The camp, their place of living, and their manner of living
were ordered by the Lord.
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