Numbers 2:1 - 3:13 Order

There were 603,550 men in the entourage moving through the Promised Land at this time.  With women and children added, the total population likely easily exceeded 2,000,000!  The pillar of cloud by day, with fire in it by night, marked the location of the ark, and when the pillar began to move, order was needed to ensure that the ark and the tabernacle were protected, my commentary said.  God outlined, through Moses, the map of where each tribe would camp in relation to the tabernacle and how they would “unwind” the camp to begin marching as the Lord led via the cloud or fire.

The high priest and other priests were to be descendants of Aaron, and additionally God gave the Levites as a gift to the priests to assist them with the setup and transportation of the tabernacle, as well as with the daily service at the tabernacle.  God specifically said that the Levites would be substitutes for the redeemed first-born sons of Israel, whom God had already claimed for His own.

Father, I thank You for being a God of order, not of confusion.  I know that You had a plan and a purpose for what You were doing then, just as You do now.  When I can’t understand that plan, help me to believe anyway, and to trust You to guide me through this life.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford