In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard. 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 the Levites in the midst. : —I. THE REASONS FOR PLACING THE TABERNACLE AFTER THIS MANNER. 1. God doth hereby admonish them, that they should always have Him before their eyes, lest they should forget His worship or offend Him with their sins (comp. Leviticus 26:11, 12). 2. He had respect indifferently unto all the tribes. If any others had pitched their tents farther than from the Tabernacle, they would have quarrelled and complained that they had been contemned and despised. 3. The Levites were hereby put in mind of their duty, and therefore are lodged about it. II. THE USES OF PLACING THE TABERNACLE AFTER THIS MANNER. 1. It assureth us that God will ever be in the midst of us, and settle His rest and residence among us (comp. Leviticus 26:11, 12; Ezekiel 27:27).(1) God is joined unto us in the person of His own only Son Emmanuel — i.e., God with us. We are made members of His body (see Matthew 28:20).(2) We have with Him the preaching of the gospel, whereby God is, as it were, brought down to reside and remain among us.(3) We have the promise of His presence and the seals thereof in His sacraments, whereby we are at one with Him, and He with us (see Galatians 3:27; John 6:54-56; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17).(4) When we come together in the Church to call upon His name He is near unto us, and most familiar with us (see Matthew 18:20).(5) He dwelleth among us whensoever He preserveth us from evil and delivereth us from our enemies. 2. It serveth to teach us to what end God hath instituted civil states and commonwealths in this world — to wit, to be stays and props to the Church, that the people of God may assemble together in peace and quietness. 3. It serveth to conclude the full and final happiness of the faithful, which is begun in this life, but shall be consummated in the end of this world. (W. Attersoll.) 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 Armies, Camp, Camps, Congregation, Encamp, Flag, Forth, Forward, Journey, Journeyed, Levites, Meeting, Middle, Midst, Move, Order, Placed, Position, Standard, Standards, Station, Tabernacle, Tent, TentsOutline 1. The order of the tribes in their tents.Dictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 2:17Library 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 2:17 NIVNumbers 2:17 NLT Numbers 2:17 ESV Numbers 2:17 NASB Numbers 2:17 KJV Numbers 2:17 Bible Apps Numbers 2:17 Parallel Numbers 2:17 Biblia Paralela Numbers 2:17 Chinese Bible Numbers 2:17 French Bible Numbers 2:17 German Bible Numbers 2:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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