Numbers 10:25
Finally, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard, serving as the rear guard for all units, with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai in command.
Finally, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out
The word "Finally" indicates the conclusion of a sequence, emphasizing the order and structure within the Israelite camp. The "divisions of the camp of Dan" refers to the tribe of Dan, which was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Hebrew, "Dan" means "judge," reflecting the tribe's role in maintaining order. Historically, the tribe of Dan was known for its strength and resilience, often serving as a stabilizing force within the nation of Israel. The phrase "set out" signifies movement and obedience to God's command, as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness.

under their banner
The "banner" represents identity and unity. In ancient times, banners were used as rallying points for tribes or military units, symbolizing their allegiance and purpose. Each tribe of Israel had its own banner, which helped maintain order during their travels. The banner of Dan would have been a visual reminder of their heritage and responsibilities. Spiritually, this can be seen as a call for believers to unite under the banner of Christ, who is our ultimate leader and guide.

serving as the rear guard for all the camps
The "rear guard" was a strategic position, providing protection from attacks that might come from behind. This role required vigilance and strength, as the rear guard ensured the safety of the entire community. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for the protective role that God plays in the lives of believers, safeguarding them from unseen dangers. The tribe of Dan's position as the rear guard highlights their importance in the overall structure and security of the Israelite camp.

with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai in command
"Ahiezer" means "my brother is help," and "Ammishaddai" means "people of the Almighty" in Hebrew. These names reflect the deep spiritual heritage and reliance on God that characterized the leadership of the Israelites. Ahiezer's role as a leader underlines the importance of godly leadership in guiding and protecting the community. His lineage, being the son of Ammishaddai, suggests a legacy of faith and divine purpose. This serves as an inspiration for believers to seek leaders who are grounded in faith and committed to serving God's people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Dan
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the son of Jacob and Bilhah. In this context, the tribe of Dan is responsible for serving as the rear guard during the Israelites' journey.

2. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
The leader of the tribe of Dan during the Israelites' wilderness journey. His name means "my brother is help," indicating a role of support and protection.

3. Rear Guard
The position held by the tribe of Dan as the Israelites traveled. This role was crucial for protecting the camp from attacks and ensuring no one was left behind.

4. The Camp of Israel
Refers to the collective tribes of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness, organized in a specific order as directed by God.

5. Wilderness Journey
The period when the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time of testing, learning, and reliance on God's guidance.
Teaching Points
God's Order and Structure
God is a God of order, as seen in the structured movement of the Israelite camp. This teaches us the importance of organization and following God's directives in our lives.

Protection and Security
The role of the rear guard highlights the importance of protection and vigilance. In our spiritual journey, we must be aware of potential threats and rely on God's protection.

Leadership and Responsibility
Ahiezer's leadership role reminds us of the responsibility leaders have to protect and guide those under their care. We are called to be vigilant and supportive in our leadership roles.

Community and Support
The tribe of Dan's position as the rear guard underscores the importance of community and mutual support. We are called to look out for one another, ensuring no one is left behind.

Trust in God's Guidance
Just as the Israelites trusted in God's guidance through the wilderness, we are called to trust in His direction for our lives, even when the path seems uncertain.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the role of the rear guard teach us about God's protection in our lives today?

2. How can we apply the principle of order and structure from the Israelite camp to our personal and spiritual lives?

3. In what ways can we act as a "rear guard" for others in our community or church?

4. How does understanding the leadership role of Ahiezer inspire us to take responsibility in our own leadership positions?

5. What are some practical ways we can ensure that no one is "left behind" in our spiritual communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 13:21-22
This passage describes God's guidance of the Israelites with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, emphasizing His constant presence and protection, similar to the protective role of the rear guard.

Deuteronomy 1:31
This verse highlights God's care for Israel as a father cares for his child, paralleling the protective role of the rear guard in ensuring the safety of the entire camp.

Psalm 121:8
This psalm speaks of God's protection over our coming and going, akin to the role of the rear guard in safeguarding the Israelites' journey.
God Would have Order Observed Among His People At All TimesW. Attersoll.Numbers 10:14-28
The Divine Standard to be MaintainedC. H. Mackintosh.Numbers 10:14-28
People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Hobab, Issachar, Kohathites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Raguel, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Paran, Sinai
Topics
Acting, Ahiezer, Ahie'zer, Ammishaddai, Ammishad'dai, Armies, Army, Camp, Camps, Command, Companies, Dan, Divisions, Flag, Formed, Forward, Guard, Host, Hosts, Journeyed, Moved, Rear, Rear-guard, Rearward, Rear-ward, Sons, Standard, Tents, Throughout, Units
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 10:25-28

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
November 17. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Went Before Them" (Num. x. 33).
"The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them" (Num. x. 33). God does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. How beautifully we read, in the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth, but Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St

How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

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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