Numbers 2:12, commentary and pictures

Very soon after leaving Egypt in the days of Moses, Israel was given a complete, thorough, and perfect organization and discipline for its own good and benefit, in which perfect order was required in all journeying. The tribe of Simeon was assigned to pitch beside Reuben under its appointed captain Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, showing that each tribe had a designated place and a captain. Every tribe carried a standard bearing the distinguishing sign of its tribe and father's house and was required to pitch under its own standard, including Simeon in its appointed place. When the journeyings rested and the tabernacle was erected, the tribes pitched their tents in order in exactly the position commanded, around the tabernacle at a distance from it.

When it was for the good of the people and for the glory of God to pitch their tents in a certain place, God signified His will by causing the pillar of cloud to rest directly over the tabernacle, where it remained until they should journey again, thus directing their travels through the wilderness. The same perfect order governed marching, for when the ark moved the armies journeyed with the different tribes marching in order in their appointed places under their own standards. The Levites were designated as the tribe in the midst of whom the sacred ark was to be borne, with Moses and Aaron marching just in front of the ark and the sons of Aaron following near them, each bearing a trumpet. By special sounds that the people understood, directions from Moses were signified to the people and their movements were directed accordingly.

This arrangement of camp and tabernacle was designed to impress the people with the majesty and holiness of God and the purity He requires of all who engage in His service. It displayed His character as Israel's Governor, was designed to teach lessons of order and organization, and gave each person a specific task to carry out faithfully. Its order, harmony, and exalted character were not for Israel's benefit alone but were meant to make an impression upon surrounding nations, revealing to them something of the character of the true God and what He desires His people to be.

The order in pitching and marching reveals that God is a God of order and peace and not of confusion, as particular now as then. The same principles still apply, so those who labor in His cause must study the instructions given to ancient Israel and make all their arrangements such as rightly to represent Him, because with the world everything is judged by appearances. The careful and orderly camp with its tents arranged in order can be studied as a pattern for organizing camp gatherings. Together with Israel's deliverance, murmuring, rebellion, and punishment in the wilderness, it stands as a faithful warning not to follow their example of disobedience.