Focus Chapters:
- Numbers 2-3
Standout Verse(s):
Numbers 2:2-3; 9-10, 16-18, 24-25, 31 NLT
“When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.
“The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.
“The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. So the total of all the troops on Reuben’s side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.
“Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.
“The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. So the total of all the troops on Ephraim’s side of the camp is 108,100. These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.
“The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. So the total of all the troops on Dan’s side of the camp is 157,600. These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel.”
Observation (s):
- God specified the position that each tribe would take while at rest and travelling. It was not left up to Moses or any other person to decide.
The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun…These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.
AND
The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad…These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.
AND
The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin…These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.
AND
The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali…These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel.
- The tribes were positioned in relation to the Tabernacle, that represented the presence of God.
“The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.
AND
The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.
AND
The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.
AND
The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.
Application:
The role of Chief Operating Officer (CEO) is very critical. The CEO is responsible for making strategic decisions, managing overall operations and steering his organizational resources in a way that is guaranteed to fulfil strategic objectives. In order for the CEO to be effective, all his direct reports must be aligned with him.
God, as the CEO of our lives, has a similar and more complicated role. With His All-Knowing capabilities, it is God’s responsibility to strategically and proactively equip and steer us towards the fulfillment of our purpose. For the Israelites, the strategic objective to be met was to enter Canaan and drive out its inhabitants. As the Israelites slowly made their way towards Canaan, God called for a reorganization of the way they positioned themselves, aligning them to tabernacle that represented his presence. Similar to the CEO and his direct reports, God requires for us to be positioned by Him to ensure our alignment with Him. Only when we are on one accord with God can our strategic purpose be accomplished.
So I have two questions for you:
- Who is the CEO of your life?
- If you said God to #1, are you aligned with and positioned by Him?
