The video version is available at https://youtu.be/7IgSqsWd7Xw
Reading
– Numbers 1:1-19
By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart
This
Torah portion is the start of the book of Numbers. We call it Numbers in
English because it opens with the numbering of the armies of Israel as they
were preparing to enter the Promised Land. In Hebrew, the book is called
Bamidbar which means in the wilderness. God spoke to the children of Israel in
the wilderness about preparing to take the Promised Land. Both names focus on
these preparations. God’s instructions for beginning to take the land are given
just one month after Moses erected the Tabernacle and God moved His dwelling
place from Mt. Sinai to the Tabernacle.
Numbers 1:1 NKJV 1 Now the LORD spoke
to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first
day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land
of Egypt, saying:
God
and the camp of Israel were just about ready to move. However, moving more than
two million people takes a lot of organization. God gave Moses these last
instructions to bolster the confidence of the people and make sure everything
went smoothly.
The
children of Israel were heading for the land that God promised to give to
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had all lived in the
land, and even purchased some property in the land, the land itself did not yet
belong to them. God promised that the entire land would be their inheritance,
but they could not take it without a fight. In our modern world, we might ask
what right the children of Israel had to take the land from the Canaanites. In
this situation, God had originally given the land to the Canaanites, but their
practices defiled the land. It was only after the fullness of their sin that
God would give the land to the descendants of Abraham. This condition was
spelled out by God in the covenant He made with Abraham.
Genesis 15:15-16 NKJV 15 "Now as
for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good
old age. 16 "But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."
God
had announced in His instructions to the children of Israel in Leviticus on how
they could draw near to Him and remain near to Him, that the Promised Land had
rejected the Canaanites.
Leviticus 18:26-28 NKJV 26 'You shall
therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these
abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among
you 27 '(for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were
before you, and thus the land is defiled), 28 'lest the land vomit you out also
when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you.
Even
though God and the land had both rejected the current residents of the Land,
the Israelites would need to fight to take possession of the land. They would
need a strong fighting force to accomplish this goal. The book of Numbers
begins with the enumeration and commissioning of this army.
Numbers 1:2-3 NKJV 2 "Take a
census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by
their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male
individually, 3 "from twenty years old and above-all who are able to go to
war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
Armies
don’t just come together by declaring they exist. It requires organization and
training to build on army. The training of the children of Israel for the war
ahead of them to take the land began as soon as they left Egypt. As they were
leaving Egypt, the text tells us they went out in orderly ranks.
Exodus 13:18 NKJV 18 So God led the
people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of
Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.
Although
the children of Israel weren’t ready to take on the well-trained and armed
Egyptian army, the children of Israel formed the rudiments of an organized
force. The phrase “orderly ranks” is the Hebrew word “Khaw-moosh,” number 2571
in Strong’s Concordance meaning staunch, able-bodied soldiers, or armed men.
The word “khaw-moosh” comes from the word “kho-mesh,” number 2570 having to do
with the abdomen and the fifth rib which is associated with being armed or girt
with swords or belts around the fifth rib. The word “khaw-moosh,” then has the
connotation of not only being armed but being determined in their path. The
seventeenth century theologian Matthew Poole comments on the organization of
the flight of the children of Israel from Egypt.
Other render it, khaw-moosh, by
fives, five and five in a rank, that is by usual - military order, not
doubtfully and fearfully, but confidently and courageously; not confusedly, as
men that steal or run away, but in good order, so as one might not hinder
another. Which interpretation is strengthened by comparing Joshua 1:14.[i]
In
Joshua, the fledging army of Israel had taken shape. The tribes of Reuben, Gad,
and Manasseh were to send their armed men to participate in taking the land.
The word “khaw-moosh,” in this case, is translated as “armed.”
Joshua 1:14 NKJV 14 "Your wives,
your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave
you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed,
all your mighty men of valor, and help them,
Along
the way to Mt. Sinai, this fledging army fought against the Amalekites.
Although their skill may have been lacking, their confidence was bolstered
whenever they looked up and saw Moses on the hill with both arms raised.
Exodus 17:11-12 NKJV 11 And so it was,
when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his
hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone
and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady
until the going down of the sun.
One
year later, as the children of Israel are getting ready to head for the
Promised Land, they had a full year to train and prepare for war. This
particular census of the people before leaving Mt. Sinai was only of those men
who were able to fight. They were numbered according to their armies.
The
census begins with the heads of each tribe who would stand with Moses.
Numbers 1:4-5 NKJV 4 "And with
you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father's
house. 5 "These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: from
Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur;
The
list continues for each tribe in birth order according to the mother. The list
begins with the tribes from the sons of Leah, then from the sons of Rachel, and
lastly, from the sons of the handmaids. It leaves out the sons of Levi and
splits the sons of Joseph into Ephraim and Manasseh. In the Bible, names have
meanings. The Stone Edition Chumash comments on the placement and
meaning of the first and last names of the list of the heads of the tribes.
The first name on the list was Elizur,
which means my God is the Protector. The last name on the list, the
father of Ahira, is Enan, which is synonymous with eye. These names
recall the verse He protected them like the pupil of his eye
(Deuteronomy 32:10), an allusion to the Clouds of Glory that surrounded the
nation in the wilderness. Thus the order of the leaders alludes to the nation’s
faith that God was and would remain its protector.[ii]
Each
man introduces his tribe, lineage, and the number of men he was contributing to
the overall army of Israel.
Numbers 1:17-18 NKJV 17 Then Moses and
Aaron took these men who had been mentioned by name, 18 and they assembled all
the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they
recited their ancestry by families, by their fathers' houses, according to the
number of names, from twenty years old and above, each one individually.
When
the roll call of the tribes was complete, there were a total of six hundred
three thousand five hundred fifty men who were able to fight in the army of
Israel.
Numbers 1:45-46 NKJV 45 So all who
were numbered of the children of Israel, by their fathers' houses, from twenty
years old and above, all who were able to go to war in Israel- 46 all who were
numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
To
give an idea of the size of this army, the entire army of the British Empire in
1775 prior to the American revolution was forty-eight thousand. By the end of
the war, that number had increased to one hundred twenty-one thousand.[iii] In
addition to these regular troops, Britain added others from the Irish, other foreigners,
and other militia which increased to total size of Britain’s forces to nearly
two hundred thousand soldiers. At this time, the British were engaged in
hostilities with France and Spain in addition to the war in the American
colonies. The army of the children of Israel was three times the size of the
entire British army of the 18th century!
When
God took the children of Israel out of Egypt, He visually joined them at Succoth
in the form of a pillar of fire and cloud. When they arrived at Mt. Sinai,
God’s presence settled over the mountain and remained there during the rest of
the year. The children of Israel camped at the foot of the mountain, but the
mountain itself was holy to the LORD. Moses was told to set boundaries around
the mountain and not let the people approach because they would die.
Exodus 19:21-23 NKJV 21 And the LORD
said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to
gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish. 22 "Also let the priests who
come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against
them." 23 But Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to
Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain and
consecrate it.'"
After
the completion of the Tabernacle, God’s presence moved from the mountain to
dwell in the Tabernacle. Like with the mountain, the children of Israel camped
around the tabernacle, but God set boundaries around the tabernacle as well.
The Levites were appointed as caretakers for the tabernacle.
Numbers 1:52-53 NKJV 52 "The
children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone
by his own standard, according to their armies; 53 "but the Levites shall
camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the
congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep charge of
the tabernacle of the Testimony."
The
Levites were to camp around the tabernacle on all sides providing a barrier
between the children of Israel and the tabernacle where the presence of God
resided. In the book of Leviticus, God had provided a detailed explanation of
how they were to approach Him. They could not just stroll up to the tabernacle
and enter into God’s presence any time and in any way they chose. God is holy,
and God desired that His people be holy as well. God desired that they be able
to approach Him, but they had to go through the proper procedures so they
wouldn’t be consumed by the fire of God.
The
children of Israel were camped around the tabernacle with three tribes on each
side. This arrangement of the camp is mirrored by the configuration of the new
Jerusalem described in Revelation. The glory of the LORD and the light of the
lamb are in the center of the city.
Revelation 21:23 NKJV 23 The city had
no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God
illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
The
wall of city had twelve foundations that set the city apart like the Levites
surrounded the tabernacle in the wilderness setting it apart. These foundations
are the twelve apostles who served Yeshua, our High priest.
Revelation 21:14 NKJV 14 Now the wall
of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb.
The
gates of the city, with three on each side just like the encampment of Israel,
have the names of the twelve tribes written on them.
Revelation 21:12-13 NKJV 12 Also she
had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates,
and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the
children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three
gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
At
Mt. Sinai, in the wilderness, in Jerusalem, and again in the new Jerusalem, God
chooses to dwell in the middle of His people.
The
placement of the tribes around the tabernacle is mostly by birth order of each
mother with Leah’s sons going first. However, since Reuben and Simeon were
disqualified for the honor of the firstborn, and Levi had been taken in service
to God and the priesthood, the firstborn honors of Leah’s sons go to Judah the
fourth son. He is the leader of the eastern camp.
Numbers 2:3 NKJV 3 "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."
Judah’s
two younger brothers camp with him on the east. They were the first to break
camp and led the children of Israel on their journey.
Numbers 2:9 NKJV 9 "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.
These
are probably the names of the gates on the eastern side of the New Jerusalem.
Since names have meanings. Let’s look at the names associated with the tribes
and captains on this eastern side. Nahshon is the captain of the tribe of
Judah. His name, number 5172, is the most difficult one to understand. It can
mean an enchanter. However, Hitchcock’s Bible names defines it as that which is
foretold. The name Judah, number 3063, means celebrated. With him is Nethanel
of the tribe of Issachar. Nethanel, number 5417 means given of God and
Issachar, number 3485, means he will bring a reward. The third leader is Eliab
of the tribe of Zebulan. Eliab, number 446, means God of his father, and
Zebulon, number 2074, means habitation. We celebrate the coming of the one who
is foretold. He comes with the reward given of God and the habitation of his
father.
Next
to break camp were those on the south side of the tabernacle. Leah’s two oldest
sons were camped there along with Gad, the oldest son of Zilpah, Leah’s
handmaid. The leader of this group is the oldest son Reuben.
Numbers 2:16 NKJV 16 "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.
After
those camped in the east and south headed out, the Levites carrying the
Tabernacle and all its furnishings were next.
Numbers 2:17 NKJV 17 "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.
The
Levites and the Tabernacle camped in the middle of the encampment. They also
marched in the middle of the procession. Six tribes went in front of them, and
six tribes went behind them.
On
the west, are the tribes descended from the sons of Rachel, Ephraim, Manasseh,
and Benjamin. Ephraim is the captain of this camp.
Numbers 2:24 NKJV 24 "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.
Finally,
the remaining sons of Jacob, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, were camped on the north
side. Dan, as the oldest son of Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah, and arguably the
oldest of Rachel’s household, is the captain of this camp.
Numbers 2:31 NKJV 31 "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."
The
armies of Israel were almost ready to leave Mt. Sinai. The focus of the camp
was no longer Mt. Sinai; it was the Tabernacle of God. God had moved His
dwelling place to the movable tabernacle. The camps were established around the
tabernacle while at Mount Sinai. And now, as they would be on the journey, the
Tabernacle would be in the midst of the armies. The leaders and divisions of
the armies were now set over their troops and they were now on the move. God
had prepared the children of Israel to take the Promised Land.
Study
Questions:
2.
Why was it important for each individual to be
introduced by tribe and family?
3.
How are Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle in
the wilderness, and Jerusalem alike? What doe this tell us about the Messianic
Era and the World to Come?
General
Portion Questions
4.
In what way did the Levites create a
buffer zone around the Tabernacle? Why did the Levites need to protect the
Tabernacle from the people? Why did they also need to protect the people from
the Tabernacle?
5.
This Torah portion contains provisions
regarding the redemption of the firstborn of Israel who came out of Egypt. How
is this redemption accomplished and why was it done at this time, a year after
they came out of Egypt?
6.
What other insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?
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2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.
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