Organization (Numbers 2)

How did Israel camp in the wilderness? Was it haphazard or organized? Should there be organization in the church? Let’s look at Numbers 2.

Which tribe was the head tribe of the three that camped on the east, a distance from the tabernacle?

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. 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. (Numbers 2:1-3 NKJV)

Which were the other two tribes with Judah on the east side of the tabernacle?

Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar. The prince of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar. His division, and those who were counted of it, were fifty-four thousand four hundred. The tribe of Zebulun: the prince of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon. His division, and those who were counted of it, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred. All who were counted of the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out first. (Numbers 2:5-9 WEB)

Which tribe was the head tribe of the three that camped on the south, a distance from the tabernacle, and which were the other two tribes with them?

On the south side will be the banner of Reuben’s camp with its military units. The chief of the people of Reuben is Elizur, Shedeur’s son. His military unit and those enlisted in it are 46,500. Those camping on one side of him are the tribe of Simeon. The chief of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel, Zurishaddai’s son. His military unit and those enlisted in it are 59,300. On the other side, the tribe of Gad: the chief of the people of Gad is Eliasaph, Reuel’s son. His military unit and those enlisted in it are 45,650. All those enlisted in Reuben’s camp with their military units are 151,450. They will march second. (Numbers 2:10-16 CEB)

Who was in the center of the camp, and what was their marching order?

Marching behind Reuben will be the Levites, arranged in groups, just as they are camped. They will carry the sacred tent and their own banners. (Numbers 2:17 CEV)

Which tribe was the head tribe of the three that camped on the west, a distance from the tabernacle, and which were the other two tribes with them?

On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim by their companies, the chief of the people of Ephraim being Elishama the son of Ammihud, his company as listed being 40,500. And next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, the chief of the people of Manasseh being Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, his company as listed being 32,200. Then the tribe of Benjamin, the chief of the people of Benjamin being Abidan the son of Gideoni, his company as listed being 35,400. All those listed of the camp of Ephraim, by their companies, were 108,100. They shall set out third on the march. (Numbers 2:18-24 ESV)

Which tribe was the head tribe of the three that camped on the north, a distance from the tabernacle, and which were the other two tribes with them?

Dan’s military divisions will camp on the north side under their banner. The leader of the Danites is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. His military division numbers 62,700. The tribe of Asher will camp next to it. The leader of the Asherites is Pagiel son of Ochran. His military division numbers 41,500. The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the Naphtalites is Ahira son of Enan. His military division numbers 53,400. The total number who belong to Dan’s encampment is 157,600; they are to move out last, with their banners. (Numbers 2:25-31 HCSB)

What is a summary of this military census of all Israel excluding the Levites?

Here is a summary of the census of the Israelis according to the tribes of their ancestral houses: All the divisions in the camps numbered 603,550, but the descendants of Levi were not numbered along with the other Israelis, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. So the Israelis did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses; that is, they encamped under their standard as each person traveled with his own tribe and ancestral house. (Numbers 2:32-34 ISV)

What is a basis for organization in the local church?