Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Exodus was the story of the redemption of the Israelites by Yahweh. Leviticus was the giving of the Law to show the Israelites how to be holy and separated to God – to develop a relationship (and a sacrificial system to teach them they could not achieve it on their own merit or efforts). Numbers is a book about walking out that relationship – or in some cases the lack thereof – as they wander in the wilderness. At first to practise, learn, and get it right. Later, because they reject God’s heart and promises.

The book starts out with a census of the Israelites – not the mixed multitude (Exodus 12:38). In the ancient world, a census was always taken before going to war. A minimum age was set (20 years old), but no maximum. Considering Moses was climbing mountains in full vigor, full bodily function, and perfect eyesight at over a hundred years old, I think this shows the planned DIFFERENCE in health that the Lord planned for His people. Healthy bodies and healthy lives is ALWAYS a bright attractant in this world (Matthew 5:14-16). Only those males that were able to fight were counted, not simply every male over the age of twenty.

This is a big undertaking and Moses and Aaron needed help. Tribe heads were often picked by the strength of individual men within that tribe and their influence over the others. These ‘princes’ would change as the fates and fortunes of individual families changed. Here God eschews all that and named by name those HE wanted as princes of the tribes (Proverbs 21:2).

The clan and tribe you belonged to automatically determined which battle unit you belonged to. This reinforced their desire to fight for THEIR inheritance. It also utilised the natural inclination to defend and help those of our own family groups. It helped foster that sense of oneness that is needed for dedication to hard times – versus fighting for an ideology. Each tribe was essentially its own army under an overarching commander. A battle of allies, instead of a single unified nation. That didn’t come until King David centuries later.

Levi wasn’t counted at all. They were not fighting people. They were the keepers and maintainers of the tabernacle (tent of meeting). They served in it, camped around it, set it up, took it down, and were the EXCLUSIVE caretakers of it. Just as they had no inheritance in the Land of Promise, they had no position within the defense of the nation. If anyone else tried to get involved with the tabernacle, they were killed. The Levites were the ones who had charge of it. They also camped around it as a buffer so that the Lord’s anger wouldn’t break out against unrighteous people. They were priests, not soldiers.

“And the Israelites did everything that Yahweh commanded Moses. They encamped according to their standards, and they set out each one according to their clans among their families.” (Numbers 2:34).

Next came the literal marching orders with the tabernacle being the axle everything else revolved around. The Israelites camped at the cardinal directions (and then spread out) around the tabernacle – at a distance. Buffer.

God’s plan HAD been to dwell with His people (Exodus 25:8), but because of the actions of the people, He distanced Himself so He wouldn’t kill them for their sin before they had the chance to atone through sacrifice (Exodus 33:7-11). Throughout their journey they would be apart with Levi as a buffer. Where they camped also determined the order in which they marched, following the pillar of cloud that rested over the tabernacle (pillar of fire at night) and moved to determine their route, pacing, and length of stay in a given spot. God controlled their path like He determined their position: as He willed it. He was therefore responsible for their care. This was another opportunity to learn to rely (trust) fully in Him, their Source. It’s a lesson WE would do well to learn ourselves (Matthew 6:33; 3 John 2).

The east side was Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon. East represented the right hand and was the superior position. These tribes were all the sons of Leah. South was Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. These tribes were all the sons of Leah and the firstborn of Leah’s concubine Zilpah. West was Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin – the sons of Rachel (Joseph had no tribe, but was represented by his two sons). And north was Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. All the sons of concubines (Zilpah and Bilhah). The total number of fighting men over twenty years of age was 603,550 – not including Levi. This was how they camped and how they travelled. Grouped by family and clan, by tribe, under the banner of the lead tribe (Judah in the east, Reuben south, Ephraim west, and Dan north). It’s believed the colour of the banners matched the colour of the gemstone on the High Priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-21) that represented the tribe, but that could be a myth.

The east left first, then the south. The tabernacle took up the middle and was followed by the west, and finally the north. God elects, God separates, and God raises men (and tribes or nations) by Grace, not merits. And Yahweh treats His special people DIFFERENTLY. He also expects more of them because of their position close to Him. The same is true of us today (Luke 12:48).

Summary

Key Players: Twelve Tribes, Moses, Aaron

Key Themes: Position, Giving, Warriors

Key Verse(s): Numbers 1:1, 44; 2:1-2, 34