Numbers 2:1-34


God told Moses just how He wanted the tribes to be assembled in their camp.  The camp is to be set up with the tabernacle and the tribe of Levi in the middle and then three tribes camped on each side of the tabernacle.  This made the tabernacle central to their lives so that worship would be seen as essential to their lives, and it placed the tabernacle in the most protected part of the camp.  There does not seem to be a logical pattern as to which tribes were placed together other than that Benjamin and the two tribes of Joseph were placed together as the descendents of Jacob through the wife that he loved, Rachel.  As I consider the placement of the tabernacle, there are these three thoughts that come to mind.

THE PRIORITY OF GOD: It is very clear that the tabernacle, the center of worship, was placed in the area of priority within the camp.  It provided the point of reference around which all of the rest of the tribes were to gather.  One of the hardest things for us to do in life is keep our lives balanced with the proper priorities.  It is easy for us to allow our work, entertainment and even our families to occupy the places of priority in our hearts that should belong to God alone.  It is clear that God is a God of order and we need to make sure that He is occupying the proper place of order in our hearts.

THE PROTECTION OF GOD: This phrase could be understood in two ways and really should be understood in two ways.  God provides protection to us.  We must protect God’s place in our hearts.  The placement on the tabernacle reminds me of the fact that we must always protect God’s place in our hearts, our families, our communities and our nations.  We must never allow God to be pushed out to the outskirts of our lives and become exposed to the forces of evil that seek to attack and overthrow His place in our lives.

THE POWER OF GOD: The placement of the tabernacle also reminds me that God is to be the common source of strength from which all of us are to draw.  He empowers us and equips us with the ability to stand strong against the attacks of the world and Satan.  We must always recognize our dependence upon Him.  When we become disconnected from the source of our strength we become weak and vulnerable.  We must learn always realize that our power and ability to survive and thrive in the world and be productive in the ministries to which He has called us depends on remaining connected to Him.

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