Numbers – Chapter 2

Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard. Numbers 2:17 – Chapters like this reveal a clear character trait of the Lord: organized. Here the Lord gave direction on how to set up camp for the massive nation of Israel. The tent of meeting was to be at the center with three tribes camped on each side of the tent. The Lord gave which side of the tent each tribe would camp and who was to be next to who, a very detailed map of what their campground ought to look like. If one were to take a drone back then over the camp, one would see a massive nation organized perfectly, but they’d also see that the Lord was placed right at the center of it all. This was by design, but also notice in the chapter this wasn’t just when they camped, but also when they were on the move. As they set out for their next campsite, two sides set out first, then the tent, then the last two sides. Once again having the Lord in the center of everything. Certainly this can seem like a chapter that just has a bunch of names and details that are pointless for us today, but take note of the holy design of it all. Whether camped or on the move, God was to be at the center of it all for them. That is a truth that extends to even our day. Every day in everything you do the structure of your movements and stillness ought to have God at the center. Begin that order even now, take time to pray inviting the Lord into the space you’re at in this moment. When God is at the center of what you do, have peace knowing your steps are holy in His sight. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3352

The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. Numbers 2:2 – This whole chapter was giving them the layout on the order of where they were to set up their tents. Seems kind of a minor thing to dedicate an entire chapter of the Bible to, but notice the key aspect to how they should set up their tents. All the tribes were to set their tents up surrounding and facing towards the tent of meeting. When they settled, God was to be in the middle of them all and all were to be facing towards Him. Not only would that keep their focus on God but keep all the tribes focus in the same direction together. So how about your tent? What’s it surrounding and what’s it facing towards? If not God, let’s set up camp where we need to instead. Where God is at the center and all our focus is directed at Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac- Daily DEVO 1418

Numbers 2 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers’ house. Numbers 2:34 – Lots of names and lots of numbers in this passage. Often chapters like this where such an historical account is given makes it difficult for us to apply to our life, but look at the image being given around all the numbers and names. A massive part of the chapter was God giving directions on how the different tribes were to camp when not moving. Some on the north side, some on the south, some on the west, and some on the east side. But the north side of what? What were they to be south of or east of? The tent of meeting. The place where the offerings were to be given and worship of the Lord took place. The tent of meeting the was to be at the center of all the tribes and they were to camp facing the tent. God was teaching them that whenever you settle down, make sure I’m at the center and your eyes are on me. And when you move, you get up and move how I tell you to move. How then are you camped? Are you keeping God at the center of everything you do? Are you keeping your eyes upon His dwelling place? Are you moving only when and only how He says to move? If we are to be numbered among His people today as a follower of Jesus, Jesus must be at the center of everything we do and we must move only as Jesus leads. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2283