Book of Number Chapter 2

Transcription

1 Book of Number Chapter 2 In chapter 1, we learned about the census a. Each Israelite had to know who he was, and where he belonged. b. During the wandering years the movement of the camp was done Orderly and all according to God s plans. Vs And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: "Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father's house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting." Q What was on these standards (or, banners)? Although there is no Biblical testimony to indicate what the images were on the four banners described at Numbers 2:2, there is considerable information available so that we are able to make some very probable conclusions. As to the contents of each camp s standard, tradition tells us that each camp had a different symbol upon its standard: (see reference notes - 1-7) Neither the Mosaic law, nor the Old Testament generally, gives us any hint as to the form or character of the standard (Hbrw = degel = banner, standard). According to rabbinical tradition, the standard of Judah bore the figure of a lion, that of Reuben the likeness of a man or of a man s head, that of Ephraim the figure of anox, and that of Dan the figure of an eagle; so that the four living creatures united in the cherubic forms described by Ezekiel were represented upon these four standards. 7 Jewish tradition says the four standards under which Israel encamped in the wilderness, to the east, Judah, to the north, Dan, to the west, Ephraim, to the south, Reuben, were respectively a lion, an eagle, an ox, and a man, while in the midst was the tabernacle containing the Shekinah symbol of the Divine Presence. 8 The Talmud saw in these four creatures the four primary forms of life in God s creation. It also noted that the twelve tribes of Israel camped under these four banners; some with Reuben (symbolized by a man), others with Dan (symbolized by an eagle), others with Ephraim (symbolized by the calf, or ox), and the rest with Judah (symbolized by a lion). 9 The Jewish writers tell us, that the standard of each tribe of Israel took the color of the stone which represented it in the high priest s breastplate, and that there was 1

2 wrought upon each a particular figure a lion for Judah, a young ox for Ephraim, a man for Reuben, and an eagle for Dan. 10 No further information is provided about the size, color or representation on these standards. Jewish tradition, however, does provide a clue to the way in which later generations of Jews viewed the standards. The Aramaic paraphrase of the Torah, called Targum Jonathan, and the ancient commentary on Numbers, called Bemidbar Rabbah, suggest that each tribe was assigned a color corresponding to the color of its respective stone in the high priest s breastplate. Thus, the color of Dan would be blue because a sapphire is blue. The four standards, therefore, were composed of the colors of the three tribes of each triad. The tradition continues that each of the four standards depicted a living being. Judah s animal was a lion, Reuben s a man, Ephraim s an ox and Dan s an eagle. This tradition may have been influenced by the cherubim in Ezekiel s vision who also had four faces (Ezek. 1:10; see also Rev. 4:7+). It should be emphasized that there is no solid biblical or historical basis for these descriptions of the standards. The Jewish tradition, however, does provide the most logical suggestion for their descriptions, particularly in the case of Judah and Ephraim (see Gen. 49:9 and Deu. 33:17). 11 Jewish tradition holds that the standards contained the very symbols Scripture reveals in association with the four living creatures (Eze. 1:10; 10:14; Rev. 4:7+). In opposition to this tradition, some have noted the adverse reaction of the Jews of NT times to the images on the Roman standards: Every tribe had its particular standard, probably with the name of the tribe embroidered with large letters. It seems highly improbable that the figures of animals should have been painted on them, as the Jewish writers assert; for even in after ages, when Vitellius wished to march through Judea, their great men besought him to march another way, as the law of the land did not permit images (such as were on the Roman standard) to be brought into it. Josephus Ant. 1. xviii. c It is not clear that the Jews would have allowed images on their standards: In the time of Augustus, Roman legionaries would leave their standards in the Judean port city of Caesarea, so that the images drawn upon them would not offend the sensitive Jews. 13 In response to this it may be observed: 2

3 Jewish writers and rabbinical tradition maintain the standards did have images of animals upon them. Of all people least likely to suggest that animal insignias were upon the standards (due to Ex. 20:4), it is the Jews themselves who give us this tradition. The opposition of the Jews of Josephus day to the Roman standards may have been due to the particular images they contained, not the mere fact that they contained images. Concerning Jewish opposition to the Roman standards, Josephus relates, [F]or that the laws of their country would not permit them to overlook those images which were brought into it, of which there were a great many in their ensigns. [emphasis added] Reference Notes 1 Carl Friedrich Keil, and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002), 1: Ludwig Koehler, Walter Baumgartner, M. Richardson, and Johann Stamm, The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (New York, NY: E. J. Brill, 1999, c ). 3 Robert Laird Harris, Gleason Leonard Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999, c1980). 4 Harris, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. 5 Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament, 1: See also [John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, 1997), 199] and [W. A. Criswell, and Paige Patterson, eds., The Holy Bible: Baptist Study Edition (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), 192]. 7 Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament, 1: A. R. Fausset, The Revelation of St. John the Divine, in Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997, 1877), Rev. 4:8. 9 John MacArthur, Revelation 1-11 : The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), Rev. 4:8. 3

4 10 J. A. Seiss, The Apocalypse: Lectures on the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1966), William Varner, Jacob s Dozen: A Prophetic Look at the Tribes of Israel (Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1987), s.v. The Tribal Encampment. 12 R. Torrey, The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1995), Num. 2:2. 13 Chaim Potok, Wanderings (New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1978), Flavius Josephus, The Complete Works of Josephus (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1981), s.v. Ant. XVIII, v3. 15 Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament, 1:660n Vs 1-2 continued a. They shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting: At the center of this order was the tabernacle itself. The tribes would arrange themselves to the east, south, west, and north in relation to the tabernacle. b. Since the tabernacle was symbolically the presence of God with them, this meant all order in Israel began being centered around God Himself. Vs "On the east side, toward the rising of the sun, those of the standard of the forces with Judah shall camp according to their armies; and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be the leader of the children of Judah." And his army was numbered at seventy-four thousand six hundred. "Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, and Nethanel the son of Zuar shall be the leader of the children of Issachar." And his army was numbered at fifty-four thousand four hundred. Then comes the tribe of Zebulun, and Eliab the son of Helon shall be the leader of the children of Zebulun." And his army was numbered at fifty-seven thousand four hundred. All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Judah, one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred; these shall break camp first." a. On the east side, toward the rising of the sun, those of the standard of the forces with Judah shall camp according to their armies: Judah was first, and closest to the tabernacle itself. The tribes of Issachar and Zebulun followed in 4

5 order after Judah. These tribes would order themselves after the standard (the banner or flag) of Judah, which was said to be a lion. b. And Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be the leader of the children of Judah: God recognized a specifically called leader for the tribe of Judah (and for the other tribes following). The order and organization God called Israel to required leadership, with leaders both recognized by God and respected by the people. c. One hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred: The total number of available soldiers among the eastward tribes was 186,400. d. These shall break camp first: There was an order to the encampment and the marching for the tribes. They were to move as an orderly army, not as a mob. e. Interesting fact the Egyptian army under Rameses II (13 th century BC) adopted this formation in camp. They camped in a square with the royal tent in the middle* *Note: Y. Yadin, The Art of Warfare in Biblical Lands (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1963) pp f. Likewise Israel s king (God) dwelt in the center of his armies in the tent of meeting or tabernacle. e. On the east side was Judah, the tribe of Issachar and the tribe of Zebulun camped under the same banner Vs "On the south side shall be the standard of the forces with Reuben according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur." And his army was numbered at forty-six thousand five hundred. "Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon, and the leader of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai." And his army was numbered at fifty-nine thousand three hundred. "Then comes the tribe of Gad, and the leader of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel." And his army was numbered at forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty. "All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Reuben, one hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty; they shall be the second to break camp." 5

6 a. On the south side shall be the standard of the forces with Reuben according to their armies: On the south side of the tabernacle Reuben was the first tribe, and set closest to the tabernacle itself. Then the tribes of Simeon and Gad followed in order. The tribes ordered themselves after the standard of Reuben, which was said to be a man. b. One hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty: The total number of available soldiers among the south tribes was 151,450. Vs And the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps; as they camp, so they shall move out, everyone in his place, by their standards. a. The priestly tribe was in the middle of the camps, closest to the tabernacle and surrounded by the other tribes. b. So they shall move out, everyone in his place, by their standards: Apparently, this was not only the way Israel was to make their camp, but also they way they were to order their march organized and orderly Vs "On the west side shall be the standard of the forces with Ephraim according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud." And his army was numbered at forty thousand five hundred. "Next to him comes the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur." And his army was numbered at thirty-two thousand two hundred. "Then comes the tribe of Benjamin, and the leader of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni." And his army was numbered at thirty-five thousand four hundred. "All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Ephraim, one hundred and eight thousand one hundred; they shall be the third to break camp." a. Ephraim was first, and closest to the tabernacle itself on the west side. b. Following the tribe of Ephraim were the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin. The tribes ordered themselves after the standard of Ephraim, which was said to be a calf. c. The total number of available soldiers among the westward tribes was 108,100. 6

7 Vs "The standard of the forces with Dan shall be on the north side according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai." And his army was numbered at sixty-two thousand seven hundred. "Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher, and the leader of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran." And his army was numbered at forty-one thousand five hundred. "Then comes the tribe of Naphtali, and the leader of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan." And his army was numbered at fifty-three thousand four hundred. "All who were numbered of the forces with Dan, one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred; they shall break camp last, with their standards." a. Dan was first, and closest to the tabernacle itself on the north side. Following the tribe of Dan were the tribes of Asher and Naphtali. The tribes ordered themselves after the standard of Dan, which was said to be an eagle. b. The total number of available soldiers among the northward tribes was 157,600. Vs These are the ones who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses. All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty. But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel, just as the LORD commanded Moses. Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers' houses. a. The total of 603,550 available soldiers is ordered around the tabernacle; the number excluding the tribe of Levi. b. So they camped by their standards - Each tribal group was arranged after the standards of the tribes, and they broke camp and marched in that same order. Thoughts a. Of course we know the Children of Israel camped by their standards. b. We learn there was space between the tribes and the tabernacle of meeting. How much space? Joshua 3:4 specifies that distance to be a distance of 2,000 cubits (1,000 yards) should separate the ark from the secular tribes. Of course, this might be the case here. (In Numbers 1:52, 2:17 and chapter 3 we learn that the Levites were to encamp between the secular tribes and the tent of meeting. -- And so 7

8 1. The children of Israel had to know who they were reason for the genealogy. 2. It was also important that each of them should know where he belong Assignment in the camp. 3. They knew how far (the space) between the Ark (His Presence) and the tribes was to be (Read Isaiah 59) Question Is there anything that is separating or distancing us from God? Do you have any doubts or fears? You see, our enemy today is the world, the flesh, and the devil. And if you re not sure of your salvation, if you re not sure what will happen to you after you die, if you have any fear or doubt about what will happen in THAT MOMENT --- Right Now You CAN BE SURE. d. God is a God of order; here, before Israel can take the Promised Land, He requires they order themselves also. a. There is a limit to what we can be and what we can do for the LORD without order and organization. It isn't that order and organization are requirements for progress in the Christian life; they are the progress in the Christian life, becoming more like the LORD. Scriptures Becoming more Christ-like 1 John 2:6 Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Philippians 2:1-11 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 8

9 Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. b. Nothing is accomplished in God's kingdom without order and organization. In the arrangement of the tribes, He did not place the largest tribes closest to the tabernacle (as if bigger was always better); Ephraim, the closest westward tribe, is the third smallest tribe. Nor did He place all the large tribes on the outward perimeter for greatest protection (Benjamin, the second smallest tribe, is on the outer perimeter). God always has order and organization, but it may not make sense to us. c. Oftentimes resistance to God's order and organization is almost always the product of simple selfishness - wanting to do things our own way, instead of the LORD's. d. Everything was positioned in relation to the presence of God, the tabernacle. God could have described where the tribe of Judah was in relation to the tribe of Dan, but He did not. The reference point was always God Himself. e. It is hard to underestimate the trouble people get into in their walk with God because they position and measure themselves in reference to other people. Yet, God is to be our focus, not other people. f. The tribes of Israel camped around four banners, which were said to be a lion, a man, a calf, and an eagle. We find the same four creatures surrounding the throne of God in Revelation. (See Revelation 4:6-8) g. God's order is never arbitrary, or just made up on a whim. It is after His 9

10 heavenly pattern. We must always accept God's order and organization, even when we don't understand it. Isaiah 55:8-9 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. a. For My thoughts are not your thoughts: God doesn't think the way we do. We get into a lot of trouble when we expect that He should think as we do. Because we are made in the image of God, we can relate to God's thoughts, but we cannot master them. b. Nor are your ways My ways: God doesn't act the way we do. He does things His way, and His ways are often not our ways. We get into a lot of trouble when we expect that God should act the way we do. c. How far is the distance between God's thoughts and ours? How far is the distance between His ways and ours? The distance is a great as the heavens are higher than the earth. i. Gloriously, in Jesus Christ, heaven has come down to earth, and we can have our thoughts and ways transformed to be more like God's thoughts and ways. This is what it means to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). The distance will never be closed; God will always be God, and we will always be human. But when our salvation is complete, and we are united with the LORD in glory, the distance will be as close as is possible. ii. The difference and distance between God and man is revealed, not to discourage us from seeking Him, but to keep us humble as we seek. "You may conclude that it is not intended that you should understand the infinite, for you are told that his thoughts and ways are far above you; but you are required to seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near." (Spurgeon) 10