Numbers 2:1–2: “And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: ‘Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting.’”

January 12th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

In Numbers 1 we saw that the tribes were numbered for battle, and here in Numbers 2 we find that they are numbered for the purpose of worship. When we read through this chapter we notice that on the east side there were three tribes, on the west side there were three tribes, on the north side there were three tribes, and on the south side there were three tribes. This meant that all twelve tribes of Israel were organized around the Tent or Tabernacle of worship. There were two groups of equal size and then two more groups, one of which was larger and one that was smaller.

From God’s point of view from above, the camp arrangement must have looked like a cross. Even 1400 years before the Messiah came the shape of the cross, which would bring salvation, was already a part of worship. Notice that God was making the Tabernacle, which was the place of worship, the center of the life of His people.

We become like, and can even began to look like, whatever we worship. Many who idolize a certain movie or rock star began to look and act like that star. It is probably not a coincidence that we even call them idols. But the good news is if we will take time to worship our God every day, we will become more and more like Him. Worship is a beautiful and necessary thing in the life of every believer. This was true in the Old Testament believers’ life, and it’s still true today for the New Testament believers’ life.

“LORD we do declare and recognize that You are the only one who is worthy of our worship this day. Receive our gratitude and praise, and we ask that You would conform us a little more to Your image this day.”