Numbers 10:21-28: a reflection

21The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived. 22The standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army. 23Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh. 24Abidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin. 25The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rear guard of all the camps, set forward according to their armies. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai was over his army. 26Pagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher. 27Ahira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali. 28Thus were the travels of the children of Israel according to their armies; and they went forward.

As Israel journeys through the wilderness, this passage describes their ordered march: each tribe setting forward in its appointed place, the Kohathites bearing the sanctuary, the tribe of Dan as the rear guard, all moving forward together in order, at God's direction. It was not a disordered scramble, but an ordered advance, each in their place, the whole people moving forward together as God led them.

Notice the ordered advance: each tribe in its place, moving forward together at God's direction. The people did not move haphazardly, each going its own way; they advanced in order, each in its appointed place, the whole moving forward together as God led. There was order in their movement, and unity; and above all, they moved at God's direction, following his leading, going forward as he led them. Their journey was an ordered, united advance under God's direction.

That ordered advance under God's direction is a picture of how God's people are to move forward: in order, together, at his direction. We can be tempted to go our own way, moving haphazardly, or to move only when and where we choose. But Israel advanced in order, together, at God's direction, following his leading. Let your own journey be an advance under God's direction, following his leading, moving forward as he leads, rather than going your own way at your own direction. And value the order and unity of God's people moving forward together, each in their place, rather than a disordered scramble. Advance at God's direction, following his leading step by step, as Israel moved forward at God's direction through the wilderness; and move forward together with God's people, in order and unity, each in their place, as the tribes of Israel advanced together under God's leading. Follow God's direction in your journey, moving forward as he leads, rather than going your own way, and value the ordered, united advance of God's people together.

Lord, as Israel journeyed through the wilderness, this passage describes their ordered march: each tribe in its appointed place, the Kohathites bearing the sanctuary, Dan as the rear guard, all moving forward together in order, at your direction. It was not a disordered scramble, but an ordered advance, each in their place, the whole people moving forward together as you led. Show me the ordered advance: each in its place, moving forward together at your direction. The people did not move haphazardly; they advanced in order, each in its appointed place, following your leading, going forward as you led them. Let that be a picture of how your people are to move forward: in order, together, at your direction. I can be tempted to go my own way, moving haphazardly, or to move only when and where I choose. But Israel advanced in order, together, at your direction. Let my own journey be an advance under your direction, following your leading, moving forward as you lead, rather than going my own way. And help me value the order and unity of your people moving forward together, each in their place. Help me advance at your direction, Lord, following your leading step by step, as Israel moved forward at your direction; and help me move forward together with your people, in order and unity. Help me follow your direction in my journey.