Numbers 10:14

_AND THEY FIRST TOOK THEIR JOURNEY ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD BY THE HAND OF MOSES._ They first 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, Numbers 2:1; but as the vast horde are represented here in actual migration, it may be proper to 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; and then came the Kohathites, who occupied the center of the moving mass, beari

14._In the first place went the standard of the camp _The actual order of march is here described. The whole people, with the exception of the Levites, is divided into four hosts, or parts, since four of the tribes were set over the others, so as to have two under the command of each. And this was the mode of proceeding, that whenever they halted anywhere, the four standards encompassed the sanctuary and the Ark of the Covenant from the four quarters of the world; whilst on the march, the Levites carrying the tabernacle, according to the burdens respectively imposed upon them, were mixed with the several bands. The Ark, borne upon the shoulders of the Levites, preceded the whole army, in order that all might more confidently follow, God thus manifestly shewing them the way. Nahshon, of the tribe of Judah, led the first host; Elizur, of the tribe of Reuben, the second; Elishama, of the tr...

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, Deuteronomy 1:6-5, 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 anot...

Verse Numbers 10:14. _THE STANDARD - OF JUDAH_] See this order of marching explained at large on Numbers 2:1. The following is the order in which this vast company proceeded in their march: - JUDAH Issachar Zebulun Gershonites, and Merarites carrying the tabernacle. REUBEN Simeon Gad The Kohathites with the sanctuary. EPHRAIM Manasseh Benjamin...

ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES - Compare Numbers 1:3. There were three tribal hosts in each camp; and each tribe had of course its subdivisions....

EXPOSITION THE ORDER OF MARCH FROM SINAI (Numbers 10:11-4). NUMBERS 10:11 On THE TWENTIETH DAY of THE SECOND MONTH. This answered approximately to our May 6th, when the spring verdure would still be on the land, but the heat of the day would already have become intense. We may well suppose that the departure would have taken place a month earlier, had it not been necessary to wait for the due celebration of the second or supplemental passover (Numbers 9:11). As this march was, next to the actual exodus, _the _great trial of Israel's f

IN THE FIRST [PLACE] WENT THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH,.... Which tribe had the honour to go foremost and lead the van, the chief ruler, the Messiah being to come of it, as he did; who is King of Israel, and has gone forth at the head of them, fighting their battles for them: ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES: having, besides the army of the tribe of Judah, the armies of the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun under his standard: AND OVER HIS HOST [WAS] NAHSHON THE SON OF AMMINADAB; he was captain general of the army of the tribe of Judah, as Nethaneel was over the host of the tribe of Issachar, Numbers 10:15; and Eliab over the host of the tribe of Zebulun, Numbers 10:16; the same commanders as were fixed at the time of settling the order of their encampmen

THE DEPARTURE FROM SINAI. The stay at Sinai lasted about 11 months (_cf. Numbers 10:11_ with Exodus 19:1), and the people now moved to the wilderness of Paran (the modern El Tih), N. of Sinai. The order of the march here differs in some respects from that described in ch. 2; for there it is assumed that all the Levites kept together (Numbers 2:17), whereas here the Gershonites and Merarites, with the hangings and frame of the Tabernacle, are to follow the division of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, whilst the Kohathites, with the Ark and the furniture of the Tabernacle, are to follow the division of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. The arrangement was intended to secure that the Tabernacle should be set up before the arrival of its

THE FIRST PLACE. For the order of the twelve tribes, see App-45. CAMP. Note distinction between "camp" and "host". Compare Numbers 2:3. NAHSHON. Compare Numbers 1:7; Numbers 2:3....

PART TWO: SINAI TO KADESH-BARNEA (NUMBERS 10:11-36; NUMBERS 11; NUMBERS 12; NUMBERS 13; NUMBERS 14) I. FROM SINAI TO HAZEROTH (Numbers 10:11-36; Numbers 11; Numbers 12) A. DEPARTURE, AND ORDER OF MARCH, vv. 11-28 TEXT Numbers