Flying Flags

O. T. #304  "Flying Flags"
June 6, 2014
Numbers 2
And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.  Numbers 2:34

LET IT GLOW

During the months of May, June, and July, we often see our nation's flag flying in public places-along city streets, government offices, and businesses. I like to see the red, white, and blue flying, which symbolizes our free country. I recall last year when local people lined the streets and highways of our town, honoring a fallen Marine on the way to his final resting place. It gave me goose bumps to see the patriotism, love, and support shown for the family, toward one who died serving our country. So many took time out of their busy schedule to wave a flag. Did you know the Israelites flew flags? Check it out.

After reading through the laws and instructions given to this totally disorganized, new nation, who had no formal administrative background, we can see their word was cut out for them.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses was a phrase used 85 times in the book of Numbers.
We can see that God was interested in details of the arrangement of the tribes during Israel's camp time, marching time, and the location of the tabernacle.

Israel's life was to be centered around the Tabernacle, called The Tent of Meeting. It was not only the focal point, focal place of the national life, but also of the individuals' life.
So the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. (verse 34)

They formed a hollow rectangle around the Tabernacle with their three tribes on each side, as God instructed:

• on the east was Issachar, Judah, Zebulun tribes;
• on the west were Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh tribes;
• on the north were Asher, Dan, and Naphtali tribes;
• on the south were Gad, Reuben, and Simeon.

Now, is that organization or what? The Word also includes the number of each tribe, but I am not going to do that.
Do you have your place of service in the church? Are you faithfully serving the Lord? Are  you willing to go where Jesus leads? Move wherever He says? Do according to His Spirit?

Revelation 5:6 says, and I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain...

Here is a foreshadow of God's perfect plan, which reaches its climax described by John in the final book of the Scriptures.

LET IT GROW

As the Israelites camped around the Tabernacle some distance from it, each man pitching by his own tent with the standard and an ensign of their father's house, family. It was mentioned in 1:52, also

A standard refers to a flag or a banner; an ensign is a beacon, signal, sign. (Strong's Concordance)

The emblems were flags identifying the individual tribes (probably with some sort of insigna). The standards were flags marking each of the four encampments of three tribes each. (MacArthur)

LET IT GO

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Obey directions, daily.

Look for His working in my world.