Feb.8 - Leviticus 27 - Numbers 2

The most exciting part in today's reading is how God sets up the Israelite camp below the Mountain of Sinai. Notice what He does:

1) God has Moses designate leaders, one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, and has them take a census of the number of men they have from age 20 to around age 50 - men "able to go to war." The total comes to 603,550 men "able to go to war." If you count women, chidren, and elderly men, the total amount of people that lived at the base of Mount Sinai was well OVER A MILLION PEOPLE!

2) God then instructs Moses to situate them around the Tabernacle. That meant that 3 tribes were to dwell on EACH SIDE of the Tabernacle, meaning:
- 3 tribes (Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) on the EAST side of the Tabernacle.
- 3 tribes (Reuben, Simeon, and Gad) on the SOUTH side of the Tabernacle.
- 3 tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin) on the WEST side of the Tabernacle.
- 3 tribes (Dan, Asher, and Naphtali) on the NORTH side of the Tabernacle.
- The Levites were to surround the Tabernacle on all sides, and they were to dwell in tents most closest to the Tabernacle because they served at the Tabernacle.
- Moses and Aaron lived near the entrance of the Tabernacle.

3) When they went to war, the EAST SIDE tribes (Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) were to lead the way, followed by the SOUTH SIDE tribes, followed by the LEVITES who carried the Tabernacle and its furniture, followed by the WEST SIDE tribes, and lastly the NORTH SIDE tribes.

While the book of Numbers will continue to speak of ceremonial laws and the duties of each tribe, it does get into some exciting adventures...so hang in there and keep reading!

Have a wonderful, Christ-filled day!