Numbers 2:2. Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
When Balaam looks down upon the outstretched camp of Israel, his very soul expands. It must break forth in praise. The beauty captivates. The order charms. The evidence is clear – no common people there reside.
He rapturously exclaims, “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” He paints a landscape of delights: “As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters” (Num 24: 5,6). Images of choice fruits, elaborate arrangement, luxuriance, greenery, stateliness, fragrance – all lend colours to depict the scene.
Taken with editing from Christ Is All: Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Reader, let us too mount the heights of godly meditation and in spirit view this favoured camp. And as we gaze, may rays from heaven illumine every part. The points, rich in instruction, are: (1) the tents themselves, (2) their order, (3) their position, (4) their standard.
1. The tents.
Abodes present themselves. They are not splendid palaces, golden columns, sparkling capitals and giant pyramids. They are not reared as lasting monuments to future times. The greatest contrast meets the eye. They are poor tents. They stand today. Tomorrow sees the cords relaxed, the fastenings removed, and a vacant place. They are the pilgrim-dwellings of a pilgrim-troop, the short-lived homes of short-lived sojourners.
This first view instantly reminds of mortal state. What is our tent? It is nought but clay. These frames have one original – the dust. The lowest reptile and the proudest prince are composites of one poor mire. Is it not folly then to pamper and admire this flesh? At best these bodies are a tent; creation knows no humbler thing than them.
How soon they crumble! No care, no thought, no art can lengthen out continuance. The countless families of foregone ages, where are they now? Dust they were. To dust they have gone back. The many families of this our day, whither do they speed? Dust they are; to dust they hasten. The tents must fall. But when? Perhaps this very hour. Is he not then the fool of fools who boasts of tomorrow’s dawn?
My soul, from Israel’s tents you learn how fleeting is life’s day! Press then the question, When I go hence, is an abiding mansion mine? There is a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. Is it for me? Christ lives to prepare everlasting homes. Are they for me? O turn not from this camp until faith clearly reads its title to the heavenly home.
Flesh is a mean abode. This thought commends the grace of Jesus. He scorned not to assume it. Amazing fact! He took this clothing as His own. Beneath these rags He hid the glories of His glorious Deity. No man was ever man more thoroughly so than Jesus. He tabernacled in manhood’s baseness as truly as He shone in Godhead’s brightness. He thus descended that He might endure, suffer, bleed, die – might bear the curse and hang upon the cross. This none but man could do, therefore His tent was pitched, as man, among the sons of men. He was made man, that He might be made sin. He was made sin, that He might take it thoroughly away. He sought a lowly tent to do a godlike work.
But soon the degradation passed. Humiliation’s vale was left. The cross was triumph’s chariot. And now in heaven – at God’s right hand, on glory’s throne – the God-man sits. Manhood now shines in Him arrayed in light of Deity. And all whom faith makes one with Him will soon behold and share this lustre. Their vile bodies shall be changed. Weakness and frailty shall put on unfading freshness. The lowly bud shall bloom into a glorious flower. The glorious Head will leave no member in decay.
Blessed are they whose faith discerns Him nailed as their Surety on the tree. He comes, He quickly comes to gild mortality with life. Happy the inmates of these crumbling frames, if only they are Christ’s! They now are vilest dust. They soon will shine more brightly than ten thousands suns.
2. The Order.
Let Israel’s camp be now more closely scanned. What perfect regularity appears! Rule draws each line. Arrangement is complete. These streets of tents are uniformity’s perfection. One truth is here distinctly written. Our God delights in order. Where He presides, confusion vanishes.
Is it not so in every Christian heart? When Jesus takes the throne, wise rule prevails. Disturbing lusts lie down. Perplexing doubts flee far. Gusts of irregular desire are lulled. The soul is like the well-set garden in which method plants each shrub and flower.
Is it not so in Christian life? Each duty occupies its stated post. There is no tangled labyrinth of plans, no misspent diligence, no toil without a purpose. God’s worship has its sacred place and no intruder interferes. Scripture claims appointed study, and then the door is barred against disturbing entrance. The family demands due care; due care is given. The home, the closet, the public, the world, in turn have claims, in turn are served. Each morning dawns, each evening closes, on a well-ordered scheme of work.
How different is the worldling’s day! It seems an upset hive. The notes all jar, movements all jostle. It is a jumbled chaos of desire, attempt, design. Motives conflict with motives, thoughts with thoughts, plans with plans. Why is it so? God rules not. Wisdom holds not the rudder. Therefore the ship is thrown by every wind and wave. There is no order but in the camp of God.
But in Israel’s camp each tribe has its place. The family of Aaron guard the tabernacle’s door. The sons of Levi girdle the holy tent. The other tribes occupy appointed ground. God fixes all the bounds, and all the bounds are gladly kept. The same all-ruling mind disposes now each member of Christ’s body. Each enters on the stage of life as God is pleased to call. Each runs a pre-ordained course. Each disappears, when the allotted task is done. We see this clear arrangement throughout the Church’s history. At the set time the sun of Moses sets; the star of Joshua dawns; the several Judges rule; the several kings ascend the throne. In the right season Paul labours, apostles preach, martyrs seal the truth with blood, each devoted teacher toils and each disciple aids the gospel-cause. God plans each champion’s station in the gospel-camp.
Bow humbly before this ordering mind. Then discontent will not arise. No murmurings will mourn an obscure lot, a grievous burden, a lengthened pilgrimage, or an early grave. The time, the task, the place will be regarded as most wisely fixed. What if self-will could make a change? Would it not mar the work on earth and tarnish the eternal crown? The foot should not desire the hand’s employment or the eye’s higher seat. Ephraim is pleased that Judah leads. Judah would not take Ephraim’s place in the rear.
3. The Position.
All these tents share one grand privilege. “About the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.” They all have common focus. As the planets circle the sun, so these surround the sanctuary. God is the centre. They form the wide circumference. And from each door one sight – the holy tent – is visible.
Is there no meaning here? There is, and it is precious. God in Christ Jesus is the centre, the heart, the life, the strength, the shield, the joy of His believing flock. In their midst He dwells, their glory and delight. When they go forth, their eyes are fixed on Him. When they return, it is to nestle round His presence.
Is there no warning here? There is, and it is wise. Let Christians ponder this camp’s plan, when called to fix their dwellings upon earth. When weighing the advantages of place, the foremost thought should be, Is God known here? Are His pure truths here clearly taught? There may be forms of worship. But an external fabric is not grace. A heaven-directed spire leads not infallibly to heaven. Ichabod is the name, if God in Christ is not proclaimed.
Soul-profit is real profit. And soul profit cannot be had apart from Christ. Soul loss is saddest loss, and the soul loses when not led to Christ. Our children too, and all who form our household, claim that their first good be first considered. Was Lot a gainer when his eye only coveted the fertile plains? How David’s pious spirit mourns when exiled from the house of God! Can fairer fields or sweeter prospects make amends for a cold blank within? Can balmy air repay for inward sickness and a spiritual decline? What if any tribe should have receded to spots from which the cloud could not be seen? The end would have been sure. It was cut off from Israel. So all who willingly abide far from the gospel’s light choose present darkness leading to far darker night.
4. The Standard.
A standard floats above each tribe. Beneath the well-known sign they rest. And by its side they march. Believers have an ensign too. The banner over them is Jesus’ love (Song 2:4). Enlightened eyes can catch these waving folds and read therein the great Commander’s heart.
The standard is a pledge of safety. True, mighty foes hate and assail. True, night and day they plot and rage, draw the bow and lay the snare. But they must fail. The fight may be both fierce and long, but in Christ’s camp no follower can finally expire.
Beneath it there is sweet repose. The weary spirit and the worn-out flesh can often watch no more. Unless the vigilance of heavenly love defend, surprise will overpower the fainting bands. But as is the vineyard of the Lord, so is His camp. “I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day” (Is 27:3).
Beside it there is victory. Many have fought beneath the gospel-banner, and all have triumphed. They who go boldly forward, looking unto Jesus, assuredly prevail. Paul lifts aloud the happy cry: “Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Cor 2:14). What is the one testimony of the saints in light? We strove and conquered “by the blood of the Lamb”. We waved His standard and now we wave these palms. We clung to it and now we wear these crowns. Happy camp where Jesus is salvation’s Captain, His cross salvation’s ensign, His heaven salvation’s rest!
Believer, glory in your standard and be steadfast. Alas, sometimes shame, timidities and fears have caused ignoble tremblings, flights and falls. Peter denied his noble ensign; deep was his wound and bitter his repenting sighs. His warning cries, “Quit you like men, be strong”. Demas was allured and left the ranks. Was he recovered from the world’s embrace? The all-revealing day alone can tell. But that dread time will show a despicable troop wailing the hour when they deserted Christ. Cling then, cling boldly, constantly to Him. Let every company, moment and place witness your firm resolves. Let the glorious ensign wave now and ever: “Christ is all”.
Thus dwell within the camp, and you will reign upon the throne.