Numbers 10:22

10:11-28 After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, De 1:6-8, and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.

And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies,.... Next followed the standard of the camp of Ephraim, under which were Manasseh and Benjamin, Numbers 10:23 , and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud; over whom were the same captains, as in Numbers 2:18.

A more precise determination of the method of executing the order given in Numbers 2:17 . The appointed place of the tabernacle, in the midst of the host, was represented during the march by the ark, the holy vessels, etc. carried by the Kohathites. The actual structure of the tabernacle was borne in advance by the Gershonites and Merarites, immediately behind the camp of Judah; so as to be set up ready against the arrival of the sacred utensils borne by the Kohathites. Compare Numbers 2 ; 4,

13-27. the children of Israel took their journey … by the hand of Moses—It is probable that Moses, on the breaking up of the encampment, stationed himself on some eminence to see the ranks defile in order through the embouchure of the mountains. The marching order is described (Nu 2:1-34); but, as the vast horde is represented here in actual migration, let us notice the extraordinary care that was taken for ensuring the safe conveyance of the holy things. In the rear of Judah, which, with the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, led the van, followed the Gershonites and Merarites with the heavy and coarser materials of the tabernacle. Next in order were set in motion the flank divisions of Reuben and Ephraim. Then came the Kohathites, who occupied the center of the moving mass, bearing the sacred utensils on their shoulder. They were so far behind the other portions of the Levitical body that these would have time at the new encampment to rear the framework of the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived. Last of all, Dan, with the associated tribes, brought up the rear of the immense caravan. Each tribe was marshalled under its prince or chief and in all their movements rallied around its own standard.

Behind the sacred things came the banners of Ephraim, with Manasseh and Benjamin (see Numbers 2:18-24 ), and Dan with Asher and Naphtali ( Numbers 2:25-31 ); so that the camp of Dan was the "collector of all the camps according to their hosts," i.e., formed that division of the army which kept the hosts together.

On the south side the standard of the camp of Reuben —The description given of the position of Reuben and his attendant tribes on the south, of Ephraim and his associates on the west, of Dan and his confederates on the north, with that of Judah on the east, suggests the idea of a square or quadrangle, which, allowing one square cubit to each soldier while remaining close in the ranks, has been computed to extend over an area of somewhat more than twelve square miles. But into our calculations of the occupied space must be taken not only the fighting men, whose numbers are here given, but also the families, tents, and baggage. The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on Numbers 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Numbers 10:14-16]. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad formed the second great division [Numbers 10:18-20]. They were followed by the central company, composed of the Levites, bearing the tabernacle [Numbers 10:21]. Then the third and posterior squadron consisted of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin [Numbers 10:22-24], while the hindmost place was assigned to Dan, Asher, and Naphtali [Numbers 10:25-27].

[Reformed Biblical] for rejoicing and thanksgiving to God, either for former mercies, or for succeeding deliverances, as Est_9:18, &c. Compare Hos_2:11. ## Your solemn days; your stated and constant festivals. ## The beginnings of months, of which see Psa_81:3. ## A memorial before your God; that God may remember you for good to accept and bless you; as that phrase oft signifies. Numbers 10:11 Numbers 10:12 From which they travelled to other places, and then returned into it again, Num_12:16. Numbers 10:13 Numbers 10:14 Numbers 10:15 Numbers 10:16 Numbers 10:17 Numbers 10:18 Numbers 10:19 Numbers 10:20 Numbers 10:21 ## The other, i.e. the Gershonites and Merarites, as is evident both from their work and office, which was to take down and set up the tabernacle, Num_3:25 ,26 4:22-33 ; and from Num_10:17, who therefore marched after the first camp, a good distance kern and before the Kohathites, that they might prepare the tabernacle for the reception of its utensils, which the Kohathites brought some time after them. Numbers 10:22 Numbers 10:23 Numbers 10:24 Numbers 10:25 Numbers 10:26 Numbers 10:27 Numbers 10:28 Numbers 10:29 ## Raguel, called also Reuel , Exo_2:18, who seems to be the same who is called Jethro, Exo_3:1, it being usual in Scripture for one person to have two or three names. And therefore this Hobab is not Jethro, but his son, which may seem more probable, because Jethro was old and unfit f

[Reformed Biblical] nt residence in that place. ## The appearance of fire; that they might better discern it, and direct themselves and their journeys or stations by it. Numbers 9:16 Numbers 9:17 ## Was taken up, or, ascended on high, above its ordinary place, by which it became more visible to all the camp. Numbers 9:18 The motion or stay of the cloud is fitly called the command of God, because it was a signification of God’s will and their duty, which a command properly is. Numbers 9:19 ## The charge of the Lord, i.e. the command of God mentioned before, that they should stay as long as the cloud staid, as the same phrase is manifestly taken below, Num_9:23. And this, saith he, they did, though it were long in one place, which was tedious to them, who desired to change places, and to make haste to Canaan, yet they obeyed God herein against their own inclinations; which because it was remarkable in so obstinate a people, it is so largely and particularly mentioned here, as an instance of their obedience, and as an aggravation of the many following instances of their apostacy and disobedience. Numbers 9:20 Numbers 9:21 Numbers 9:22 Numbers 9:23 ## Numbers 10:1 NUMBERS CHAPTER 10 Two trumpets of silver commanded to be made; with a direction to what end, when, how, by whom, and with what success they should be used, Num_ 10:1-10. The Israelites remove to Paran: the order in which they go, Num_10:11-28. Moses endeavours t o get Hobab