Numbers 2:6
and his division numbers 54,400.
Sermons
The Discipline of God's ArmyD. Young Numbers 2:1-34
The Master At SinaiW. Binnie Numbers 2:1-34














I. AS THE SOURCE OF ORDER. Israel formed an armed encampment, not a mob. The place of each tribe was assigned by God, and thus was not a matter of caprice or partiality on the part of Moses (verse Numbers 2:34). They were grouped according to their tribes and families. A post in the rearguard was as honourable as one in the van, because a matter of Divine appointment. Yet all "afar off," as a sign of the reverence due to their God. Apply this truth to the tribes, i.e., the visible Churches and denominations of the Israel of God. This may be illustrated from apostolic days, or from modern Church history. Each has a position, historical, geographical, social, assigned by the providence of God. Each tribe had some peculiarities (cf. Genesis 49), as each section of the Church has. And as there were, no doubt, reasons for the position allotted to every family, so the God of "order" and "peace" (1 Corinthians 14) designed that every Church should fill its appointed place ("by its own standard," etc.), and, as part of the militant host, stand in orderly relations to himself and to the brotherhood. The same truth extends to individuals, the bounds of their habitation and the sphere of their service having been fixed by God.

II. AS A CENTER OF ATTRACTION. The doors of the tents probably faced the tabernacle. It was a center of attraction -

1. For guidance, through the high priest, and Moses, and the symbolic cloud (cf. Psalm 25:4, 5, 9, 15).

2. For pardon, through sacrifice. And God himself is the only hope of a sinful Church (Jeremiah 14:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19).

3. For purity, through the restraining and elevating influence of a holy God ever present in their midst (cf. Deuteronomy 23:14 with 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1).

III. AS A PLEDGE OF SAFETY, both when encamped (verse 2) or on the march (verse Numbers 2:17). So "God is in the midst" "of the tabernacles of the Most High," the homes of his people (cf. Deuteronomy 4:7, and Romans 8:31). He is in our midst as "a lion" to terrify our foes (Hosea 11:10; see Acts 5:17-42), as a fire to enlighten and to protect (Isaiah 4:5), as "a man of war" to fight for us (Isaiah 49:25, 26; Numbers 23:21). This presence of God in our midst should inspire

(1) confidence (Deuteronomy 33:29),

(2) reverence (Psalm 89:7),

(3) joy (Psalm 118:15), and should prepare us for the fulfillment of the promise in Revelation 21:3-7. - P.

They pitched by their standards.
I. CONTENTMENT WITH THE DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

1. We are incompetent to determine our own place and duty.

(1)Our ignorance.
(a) Of ourselves;
(b) of the future.

(2)Our proneness to self-indulgence.

2. We have ample grounds for confidence in the determinations of God for us.

(1)His knowledge.

(2)His wisdom.

(3)His kindness.

II. OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE COMMANDS.

1. All God's commands are binding, because they are all right.

2. All God's commands are benevolent. Obedience is blessed as well as binding.

(W. Jones.)

We can easily guess how in days of ancient warfare the standard was of much practical use. When it moved forward, then the warriors took up sword and shield and also advanced. When it halted, then they prepared to encamp around the station of their own particular standard. The devices of these old flags suggested a kind of primitive heraldry, and they knew where at once to find their loaders, or to rally for the last desperate defence! As in thought we float along the stream of history, we recall the brazen eagles of Rome, clasping which the legionaries took that solemn oath of fidelity which taught to the soldiers of Jesus that word "Sacrament," which to us means so much! Then we may remember how the cloak of St. Martin became the standard of the Frankish host, or how the sacred banner of mediaeval France was the renowned "Oriflamme." In England's history, too, we have the story of the great car which, surmounted by three flags, was the central point of the bloody "Battle of the Standard"; or we may sorrowfully think of that sad day when our country was torn asunder by internal strife, and the unfortunate Charles, king and martyr, raised his royal standard on a stormy day on the Castle Hill at Nottingham, and which was that very day blown down by the furious blasts — a sad and ominous beginning, which proved too truly prophetic. Lastly, there flashes across our memory that familiar story of Nelson ordering the flag of old England to be nailed to the mast, which has become a proverbial expression for pluck and resolution! But these legends of old times have for the Christian a lesson. There is a great conflict going on around us, a spiritual warfare of most real and eternal significance. Between the Church, which is the army of Christ, and the dark hosts of hell, the struggle seems daily to wax hotter and become more intense. The leaders on either side display their banners. "That of Satan," says an old writer, "is set up in the market-place of Babylon. It is inscribed with the alluring words, 'riches,' 'pleasures,' 'honours'; but these inscriptions are not to be trusted. Were they rightly inscribed they would assuredly bear instead, 'impiety,' 'idolatory,' 'impurity,' 'injustice,' and 'hatred against God.' But these true names he conceals with a dazzling magic, so that men are caught unawares by his false promises!" Under the standard of the Evil One are gathered together and assembled by him both evil spirits and bad men. These he sends forth throughout the whole world, that they should deceive and ruin the souls of men. To each of his adherents he gives a banner, a net, arid chains. The flag that they may allure, the net that they may capture, the fetters that they may bind fast their captives. But see on yonder side. From that dark valley, up those steep slopes, there comes a mighty host. Many drop off, many fall back, but still they pour on upwards. The sunlight of heaven rests on their helms, and before them comes borne aloft a mighty banner. It is the Standard of Jesus. Eighteen hundred years ago it was set up in the valley of humiliation at Jerusalem. Now He, the King of Humility, the Prince of Peace, is in the midst of His people, whose ranks He gazes on with loving eye. On His banner there is written, in letters of light and truth, the words, "repentance," "a Christian life," "paradise," "heaven!" Our Lord Jesus also sends His ministering servants throughout the world — angels, apostles, priests, and all who seek the saving of men's souls and the welfare of their bodies; bidding them teach the emptiness of earthly treasures, the true riches of penitence and faith; and that they should instruct all to persevere with patience till the golden gates are in view. The soldiers of Jesus advance, holding on high His banner, knocking at the door of all hearts, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is nigh"; "Take My yoke upon you, and ye shall find rest." These invitations are given in various ways, and by different methods; sometimes by good thoughts infused by the Divine Spirit into the soul, sometimes by useful words and pious writings, sometimes by good examples. Through all these ways and channels the Saviour speaks to us. They who listen, they who obey, follow His standard. Thus, with many alternations, the great battle goes forward, with its separate host on either side and its two standards. Under which will you fight?

(J. W. Hardman, LL. D.).

People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Sinai
Topics
54, 400, Fifty, Fifty-four, Host, Hundred, Numbered, Numbers, Ones, Thereof, Thousand
Outline
1. The order of the tribes in their tents.

Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 2:1-16

     7266   tribes of Israel

Numbers 2:3-7

     5489   rank

Library
Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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