N
U M B E R S
CHAP. II.
The
thousands of
Israel
, having been mustered in the
former chapter, in this are marshalled, and a regular disposition is made of
their camp, by a divine appointment. Here is, I. A general order concerning
it, ver. 1, 2. II. Particular directions for the posting of each of the
tribes, in four distinct squadrons, three tribes in each squadron. 1. In the
van-guard on the east were posted Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, ver. 3-9. 2.
In the right wing, southward, Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, ver. 10-16. 3. In the
rear, westward, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, ver. 18-24. 4. In the left
wing, northward, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, ver. 25-31. 5. The tabernacle in
the centre, ver. 17. III. The conclusion of this appointment, ver. 32, &c.
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The
Stations of the Several Tribes.
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B.
C. 1490.
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1 And the LORD
spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2 Every man of the
children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their
father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they
pitch.
Here is the general appointment given both for their orderly encampment where
they rested and their orderly march when they moved. Some order, it is
possible, they had observed hitherto; they came out of Egypt in rank and file
(Exod. xiii. 18), but now they were put into a better model. 1. They all dwelt
in tents, and when they marched carried all their tents along with them, for they
found no city to dwell in, Ps. cvii. 4. This represents to us our state in
this world. It is a movable state (we are here to-day and gone to-morrow); and
it is a military state: is not our life a warfare? We do but pitch our tents
in this world, and have in it no continuing city. Let us, therefore, while we
are pitching in this world, be pressing through it. 2. Those of a tribe were
to pitch together, every man by his own standard. Note, It is the will
of God that mutual love and affection, converse and communion, should be kept
up among relations. Those that are of kin to each other should, as much as
they can, be acquainted with each other; and the bonds of nature should be
improved for the strengthening of the bonds of Christian communion. 3. Every
one must know his place and keep in it; they were not allowed to fix where
they pleased, nor to remove when they pleased, but God quarters them, with a
charge to abide in their quarters. Note, It is God that appoints us the
bounds of our habitation, and to him we must refer ourselves. He shall
choose our inheritance for us (Ps. xlvii. 4), and in his choice we must
acquiesce, and not love to flit, nor be as the bird that wanders from her
nest. 4. Every tribe had its standard, flag, or ensign, and it should seem
every family had some particular ensign of their father's house, which was
carried as with us the colours of each troop or company in a regiment are.
These were of use for the distinction of tribes and families, and the
gathering and keeping of them together, in allusion to which the preaching of
the gospel is said to lift up an ensign, to which the Gentiles shall seek,
and by which they shall pitch, Isa. xi. 10, 12. Note, God is the God of order,
and not of confusion. These standards made this mighty army seem more
beautiful to its friends and more formidable to its enemies. The church of
Christ is said to be as terrible as an army with banners, Cant. vi. 10.
It is uncertain how these standards were distinguished: some conjecture that
the standard of each tribe was of the same colour with the precious stone in
which the name of that tribe was written in the high priest's ephod, and that
this was all the difference. Many of the modern Jews think there was some coat
of arms painted in each standard, which had reference to the blessing of that
tribe by Jacob. Judah bore a lion, Dan a serpent, Naphtali a hind, Benjamin a
wolf, &c. Some of them say the four principal standards were, Judah a
lion, Reuben a man, Joseph an ox, and Dan an eagle, making the appearances in
Ezekiel's vision to allude it. Others say the name of each tribe was written
in its standard. Whatever it was, no doubt it gave a certain direction. 5.
They were to pitch about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them,
as the tent of pavilion of a general in the centre of an army. They must
encamp round the tabernacle, (1.) That it might be equally a comfort and joy
to them all, as it was a token of God's gracious presence with them. Ps. xlvi.
5, God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Their camp had
reason to be hearty, when thus they had God in the heart of them. To have
bread from heaven every day round about their camp, and fire from heaven, with
other tokens of God's favour, in the midst of their camp, was abundantly
sufficient to answer that question, Is the Lord among us, or is he not?
Happy art thou, O Israel! It is probable that the doors of all their tents
were made to look towards the tabernacle from all sides, for every Israelite
should have his eyes always towards the Lord; therefore they worshipped at the
tent-door. The tabernacle was in the midst of the camp, that it might be near
to them; for it is a very desirable thing to have the solemn administrations
of holy ordinances near us and within our reach. The kingdom of God is
among you. (2.) That they might be a guard and defence upon the tabernacle
and the Levites on every side. No invader could come near God's tabernacle
without first penetrating the thickest of their squadrons. Note, If God
undertake the protection of our comforts, we ought in our places to undertake
the protection of his institutions, and stand up in defence of his honour, and
interest, and ministers. 6. Yet they were to pitch afar off, in reverence to
the sanctuary, that it might not seem crowded and thrust up among them, and
that the common business of the camp might be no annoyance to it. They were
also taught to keep their distance, lest too much familiarity should breed
contempt. It is supposed (from Joshua iii. 4) that the distance between the
nearest part of the camp and the tabernacle (or perhaps between them and the
camp of the Levites, who pitched near the tabernacle) was 2000 cubits, that
is, 1000 yards, little more than half a measured mile with us; but the outer
parts of the camp must needs be much further off. Some compute that the extent
of their camp could be no less than twelve miles square; for it was like a
movable city, with streets and lanes, in which perhaps the manna fell, as well
as on the outside of the camp, that they might have it at their doors. In the
Christian church we read of a throne (as in the tabernacle there was a
mercy-seat) which is called a glorious high throne from the beginning
(Jer. xvii. 12), and that throne surrounded by spiritual Israelites,
twenty-four elders, double to the number of the tribes, clothed in white
raiment (Rev. iv. 4), and the banner over them is Love; but we are
not ordered, as they were, to pitch afar off; no, we are invited to draw near,
and come boldly. The saints of the Most High are said to be round about
him, Ps. lxxvi. 11. God by his grace keep us close to him!
3 And on the east side
toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah
pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be
captain of the children of Judah. 4 And his host, and those that
were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six
hundred. 5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be
the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain
of the children of Issachar. 6 And his host, and those that were
numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
7 Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be
captain of the children of Zebulun. 8 And his host, and those that
were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four
hundred. 9 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were
an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred,
throughout their armies. These shall first set forth. 10 On the
south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to
their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur
the son of Shedeur. 11 And his host, and those that were numbered
thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 12
And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the
captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of
Zurishaddai. 13 And his host, and those that were numbered of
them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 14
Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be
Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 15 And his host, and those that were
numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and
fifty. 16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were
an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty,
throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of
the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set
forward, every man in his place by their standards. 18 On the west
side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their
armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the
son of Ammihud. 19 And his host, and those that were numbered of
them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 20 And by him shall
be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall
be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 21 And his host, and those
that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two
hundred. 22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the
sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 23 And
his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five
thousand and four hundred. 24 All that were numbered of the camp
of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred,
throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their
armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son
of Ammishaddai. 26 And his host, and those that were numbered of
them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the
captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.
28 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and
one thousand and five hundred. 29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and
the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and
three thousand and four hundred. 31 All they that were numbered in
the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand
and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. 32
These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the
house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout
their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five
hundred and fifty. 33 But the Levites were not numbered among the
children of Israel; as the LORD
commanded Moses. 34 And the children of Israel did according to
all that the LORD
commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward,
every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.
We have here the particular distribution of the twelve tribes into four
squadrons, three tribes in a squadron, one of which was to lead the other two.
Observe, 1. God himself appointed them their place, to prevent strife and envy
among them. Had they been left to determine precedency among themselves, they
would have been in danger of quarrelling with one another (as the disciples
who strove which should be greatest); each would have had a pretence to
be first, or at least not to be last. Had it been left to Moses to determine,
they would have quarrelled with him, and charged him with partiality;
therefore God does it, who is himself the fountain and judge of honour, and in
his appointment all must acquiesce. If God in his providence advance others
above us, and abase us, we ought to be as well satisfied in his doing it in
that way as if he did it, as this was done here, by a voice out of the
tabernacle; and this consideration, that it appears to be the will of God it
should be so, should effectually silence all envies and discontents. And as
far as our place comes to be our choice our Saviour has given us a rule in
Luke xiv. 8, Sit not down in the highest room; and another in Matt. xx.
27, He that will be chief, let him be your servant. Those that are most
humble and most serviceable are really most honourable. 2. Every tribe had a
captain, a prince, or commander-in-chief, whom God himself nominated, the same
that had been appointed to number them, ch. i. 5. Our being all the
children of one Adam is so far from justifying the levellers, and taking away
the distinction of place and honour, that even among the children of the same
Abraham, the same Jacob, the same Judah, God himself appointed that one should
be captain of all the rest. There are powers ordained of God, and those
to whom honour and fear are due and must be paid. Some observe the
significancy of the names of these princes, at least, in general, how much God
was in the thoughts of those that gave them their names, for most of them have
El, God, at one end or other of their names. Nethaneel, the gift of
God; Eliab, my God a Father; Elizur, my God a rock; Shelumiel, God my peace;
Eliasaph, God has added; Elishama, my God has heard: Gamaliel, God my reward;
Pagiel, God has met me. By this it appears that the Israelites in Egypt
did not quite forget the name of their God, but, when they wanted other
memorials, preserved the remembrance of it in the names of their children, and
therewith comforted themselves in their affliction. 3. Those tribes were
placed together under the same standard that were nearest of kin to each
other; Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, were the three younger sons of Leah, and
they were put together; and Issachar and Zebulun would not grudge to be under
Judah, since they were his younger brethren. Reuben and Simeon would not have
been content in their place. Therefore Reuben, Jacob's eldest son, is made
chief of the next squadron; Simeon, no doubt, is willing to be under him, and
Gad, the son of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, is fitly added to them in Levi's
room: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, are all the posterity of Rachel. Dan,
the eldest son of Bilhah, is made a leading tribe, though the son of a
concubine, that more abundant honour might be bestowed on that which lacked;
and it was said, Dan should judge his people, and to him were added two
younger sons of the handmaids. Thus unexceptionable was the order in which
they were placed. 4. The tribe of Judah was in the first post of honour,
encamped towards the rising sun, and in their marches led the van, not only
because it was the most numerous tribe, but chiefly because from that tribe
Christ was to come, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and was to
descend from the loins of him who was now nominated chief captain of that
tribe. Nahshon is reckoned among the ancestors of Christ, Matt. i. 4. So that,
when he went before them, Christ himself went before them in effect, as their
leader. Judah was the first of the twelve sons of Jacob that was blessed.
Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, were censured by their dying father; he therefore
being first in blessing, though not in birth, is put first, to teach children
how to value the smiles of their godly parents and dread their frowns. 5. The
tribes of Levi pitched closely about the tabernacle, within the rest of their
tribes, v. 17. They must defend the sanctuary, and then the rest of the
tribes must defend them. Thus, in the vision which John saw of the glory of
heaven, between the elders and the throne were four living creatures full
of eyes, Rev. iv. 6, 8. Civil powers should protect the religious
interests of a nation, and be a defence upon that glory. 6. The camp of Dan
(and so that tribe is called long after their settlement in Canaan (Judg.
xiii. 25), because celebrated for their military prowess), though posted in
the left wing when they encamped, was ordered in their march to bring up the
rear, v. 31. They were the most numerous, next to Judah, and therefore
were ordered into a post which, next to the front, required the most strength,
for as the strength is so shall the day be. Lastly, The children of
Israel observed the orders given them, and did as the Lord commanded Moses,
v. 34. They put themselves in the posts assigned them, without
murmuring or disputing, and, as it was their safety, so it was their beauty;
Balaam was charmed with the sight of it: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob!
ch. xxiv. 5. Thus the gospel church, called the camp of saints,
ought to be compact according to the scripture model, every one knowing and
keeping his place, and then all that wish well to the church rejoice, beholding
their order, Col. ii. 5.
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