Jesus Leads The Way

They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the LORD, with the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest. As they moved on each day, the cloud of the LORD hovered over them. And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel!” [Numbers 10.33-36]

As I presently understand it, Israel moved when the cloud lifted off the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant would be covered by the son's of Aaron, the priests, and Kohathite Levites would then carry the Ark by its carrying poles on their shoulders following the lead of the cloud. During this time, the remaining Kohathite, Gershonite and Merarite Levites would begin "packing up."

The tribes of Judah (“Now I will praise the Lord!”), Issachar (“God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband as a wife.”), and Zebulun (“God has given me a good reward. Now my husband will treat me with respect, for I have given him six sons.”), all from the east side of the Tabernacle, would move out first behind the Ark. By this time, the Gershonite and Merarite clans of the tribe of Levi (“Surely this time my husband will feel affection for me, since I have given him three sons!”) were ready to march carrying the Tabernacle itself.

Behind the Levites carrying the Tabernacle, those tribes camped on the south side of the Tabernacle moved out consisting of the tribes of Reuben (“The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”), Simeon (“The Lord heard that I was unloved and has given me another son.”), and Gad (“How fortunate I am!”).

The sacred objects of the Tabernacle were then carried by the remaining Kohathite Levites followed by the tribes of Ephraim (“God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”), Manasseh (“God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.”), and  Benjamin (“son of my right hand”) who all camped west of the Tabernacle.

Lastly, the three tribes who camped to the north of the Tabernacle moved out consisting of the tribes of Dan (“God has vindicated me! He has heard my request and given me a son.”), Asher (“What joy is mine! Now the other women will celebrate with me.”), and Naphtali (“I have struggled hard with my sister, and I’m winning!”).

What does this all mean? I don't know, but I am certain there is meaning beyond what any of us presently comprehend. I cannot help but believe the meaning of each tribe's name has something to do with the arrangement. Perhaps also, which of Jacob's wives or concubines who birthed each son (tribe) could have significance. How interesting is this?

The most important tidbit I can glean today is that Judah led the way behind the Ark -, Judah, the tribe of which Jesus is said to be the Lion of! The depth of this revelation alone could take volumes to describe. Jesus leads the way.

Father, regardless how little I understand from today's OYCB reading, thank You for showing me that Jesus leads the way!