Up to this point in Numbers, the LORD has been giving Moses instructions on how to organize the camp. We’ve had the directions on the arrangement of the camp and how to set up and pack up the tabernacle. There are 2 basic views of how the camp may have looked. Both fit the text because it’s just ambiguous enough.

(Disclaimer: I just found images online. I have no idea of the content of the sites they come from so use of their graphics does not constitute an endorsement of their content.)

This is cool for obvious reasons. When God looks down, He sees a cross. Note the standards of the tribes that map to the 4 living creatures before the throne in Revelation and Ezekiel.

BUT… this might not have been the layout. It’s not exactly practical. In a camp of at least half a million people, some folks are going to be a LONG walk from the Tabernacle. And maybe that’s fine. Let me put this into a little perspective. Kansas City, MO is a city of half a million people. Granted they aren’t packed together as closely as Israel probably was but, I Google Mapped how long it would take to walk across the city…

The cross-shaped camp is also the least defensible from a military standpoint. ALL your flanks are wide open leaving the most valuable part with all the golden treasures – the Tabernacle – wide open.

But the cross isn’t exactly practical and convenient, Lacy. Maybe that’s the point. And God doesn’t need Israel to defend Him. I think it’s the other way around.

Excellent points all. So, the cross layout may be accurate. Maybe they put the flocks and herds in the empty spaces. But we don’t choose interpretations just because it’s cool. We must be honest with the text and not ignore a legitimate interpretation just because we prefer the other one. There is another possible layout with 2 variations:

My biggest gripe in trying to find diagrams of the camp of Israel online was that none of them are drawn even remotely to scale. I mean, look how big the Tabernacle is in the middle compared to tens of thousands of people camped around it.

The square/rectangle view (to me) seems like the most practical arrangement. And it also seems to match this text the most:

“The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Technically, both the cross and square/rectangle arrangements do that, but it feels like a bit of stretch to say that about the cross-shaped arrangement.

Also, when they packed up and moved (we’re almost to that) they were to march in formation as they were in camp.

I leave it with you to ponder what the camp setup looked like. Just do me a favor. Don’t image it to look like something the size of a county fair with a big-top circus in the middle. We’re talking a camp on the scale of respectably-sized metropolitan city. If you’re not picturing a city big enough to have a Sam’s AND a Costco, (or maybe 2) go bigger.

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Now that the camp is settled, the Tabernacle is set up, the priests have been consecrated, and the Tabernacle and its furnishing have been consecrated there are a few more donations and a dedication offering from each tribe presented by the tribal elder.

The Gershonites and Merarites get wagons and oxen to pull them. Think about how heavy all those solid silver post-holders are and gold-plated boards and poles. And if you’ve ever tried to fold up and pack a large canvas you know how heavy big fabrics like that can be.

The Kohathites don’t get ox-carts because all the pieces of sacred furniture must be carried. This tidbit about ox-carts and carrying things will be crucial to the story of David’s first attempt to bring the Ark into Jerusalem.

Then we have the Grand Opening…

The Nation of Israel is thrilled to announce that the Tabernacle of Yahweh is now open for business! Join us for our grand opening celebration BBQ. Free food for everyone. Don’t miss it! The Tabernacle is now open for your sacrificial and cleansing ritual needs. Your first priestly consultation is absolutely free! Appointments encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

During the 12-day grand opening party each tribal chief brings a gift on behalf of his whole tribe. Each gift is exactly the same. So the priests end up with a matching set of 12 silver plates, 12 silver basins, 12 gold dishes, and a feedlot full of critters.

(Did you notice our friend Nashon, son of Amminadab, Jesus’ ancestor? He had the honor of being the first to bring a gift.)

The chapter ends with this little editorial note that kinda raises goosebumps:

“And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.” Numbers‬ ‭7‬:‭89‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This seems to be describing what went on whenever Moses went into the Holy Place to speak with Yahweh – not just a single event on the dedication day.

Can. You. Even. Imagine?!

You’re in the Holy Place. Alone. The noise of bleating sheep is faint in here. The 7 oil lamps from the menorah are the only light but because the walls on either side of you are solid gold, it reflects a pleasant glow. Your bare feet leave prints in the clean sand floor. The scent of incense lingers. There is also the smell of the bread of the presence. Maybe you stand and wait a while in silence. Then a voice from the other side of the curtain speaks. The Creator of the Universe is less than 10 feet away…