B. Arrangement of the Tribes (2:1-34)

Nothing was haphazard or ad hoc in Numbers. The order of positioning the tribes around the Tent of Meeting was a product of divine revelation as much as was the Decalogue. There was no first-come-first-served basis for choice sites (see fig. 1).

So then, Numbers has begun with two sections addressed to the lay tribes. In both cases Israel obeyed the divine revelation explicitly (1:54; 2:34). One may count on God’s favor when his people so respond to his directives.

Probably more critical than the arrangement of the tribes around the Tent of Meeting was the placement of God’s dwelling in the middle of the camp as the tribes marched to Zion. This was not to protect the shrine or shield it from damage. Israel’s God is not in need of our protection, as if he needs to be concealed from the action. No, the point made was that God’s presence must be central among his own. If we make it marginal or inconsequential, we doom ourselves to a life of frustration and failure.