Numbers 2: Living Space

“So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.” -Numbers 2:34

God determines the order of our living space and our steps. The Israelites were told to camp a certain way, in a certain order, and then move from one location to another in a prescribed manner. What we find odd or unnecessary is listed as a highlighted part of God’s revelation.

The big question for me is, “Why?” Why did it matter how the people camped or traveled? Was it simply a matter of child-like obedience or was there some other factor involved? I don’t have all of the answers, but have observed a couple of points of interest along the way.

First, God’s directions for living space centered around family. Each unit of husband-wife-children was connected with extended family from their clan and tribe. The longer I live, I realize the deep value in anchoring roots with my wife and children along with our extended family whenever possible. Of course, God has known this all along.

Second, God’ directions were and always are about him. The focus was the tabernacle, the location where God did his special work during the time of Moses. The people were connected with one another and to the Lord.

Sounds much like the greatest commandment, doesn’t it? Love God, love people. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forevermore.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.