Numbers 10:17

_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

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...

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; Numbers 4,...

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

AND THE TABERNACLE WAS TAKEN DOWN,.... By the Levites, as Aben Ezra, and which appears to be their work, from Numbers 1:51; this began to be done by them as soon as the cloud was perceived to move upwards, and the camp of Judah was preparing to march; and after Aaron and his sons had taken the holy vessels out of the holy and most holy place, and had packed up and covered them as directed, Numbers 4:5; this was an emblem of the taking down of the Jewish church state, the abolition of the service of the sanctuary, as well as of the changeable condition of the Gospel church in the wilderness, which is not always in one and the same place, but is moved from place to place, and that by the ministers of the word, signified by the Levites, who are sent and carry the Gospel here and there: and the sons of

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

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

THE DEPARTURE FROM SINAI 12. Paran] see on Exodus 15:22. They do not actually reach Paran till Exodus 12:16....

THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOK OF NUMBERS IN THE DESERT NUMBERS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 10 THE TWO *TRUMPETS – NUMBERS 10:1-10 V1 The *LORD said to Moses, V2 ‘Make two *trumpets. Make them from silver and use a hammer to make them into the correct shape. Use the *trumpets to call the people together. Also, use the *trumpets to tell the people that they must move the camp. V3 When the priests blow into both the *trumpets, everyone must come. They must meet you at the entrance to *God’s Tent. V4 If the priests blow into just one *trumpet, only the leaders of Israel’s *tribes need to meet you....

AND THE TABERNACLE WAS TAKEN DOWN... — The order of precedence as regards the twelve tribes which were encamped on the four sides of the Tabernacle is clearly laid down in Numbers 2, where it is ordered that the camp of the Lervites should set forward “in the midst of the camps” (Numbers 10:17). The precise position which the three bodies of Levites were to occupy in the marches is defined in this chapter. The Gershonites, who had the charge of the curtains and hangings of the Tabernacle and the court (Numbers 4:25), with their two wagons, and the Merarites, who had the charge of the heavier and more bulky materials (Numbers 4:31), with their fou