And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
Numbers 2:4 records Judah's numbered host as 74,600 men, one of the specified counts given for each tribe in Israel's organized arrangement. That arrangement placed each tribe by its own standard, which carried the sign of its father's house, with an appointed place and work for pitching camp and for marching. When the people rested the tabernacle was set up with the tribes pitching in order around it at a distance, each in exactly the position commanded. When they traveled the tribes marched in order each under its own standard with the ark borne before them while the cloud directed when to remain and when to move forward.
This orderly camp was instituted by God in the days of Moses for the benefit of Israel to display order and harmony and to reflect His holiness. It was meant to show surrounding nations that He governed Israel, what His character is, what He desires of His people, and that His work is not inferior or disorganized. The same care for orderly arrangements applies to God's work now, and the lessons of order and organization from that perfect order are still to be learned. This is because God has not changed, remains a God of order in the present as in the former time, is not the source of disorder but of peace, and is as particular now as then.
With its numbered hosts and arranged camps, the account stands as a faithful picture and warning for those upon whom the ends of the world have come. It warns lest they follow Israel's example of disobedience, murmuring, lust, idolatry, fornication and tempting Christ and fall as those overthrown in the wilderness.
Numbers 2:4 records Judah's numbered host as 74,600 men, one of the specified counts given for each tribe in Israel's organized arrangement. That arrangement placed each tribe by its own standard, which carried the sign of its father's house, with an appointed place and work for pitching camp and for marching. When the people rested the tabernacle was set up with the tribes pitching in order around it at a distance, each in exactly the position commanded. When they traveled the tribes marched in order each under its own standard with the ark borne before them while the cloud directed when to remain and when to move forward.
This orderly camp was instituted by God in the days of Moses for the benefit of Israel to display order and harmony and to reflect His holiness. It was meant to show surrounding nations that He governed Israel, what His character is, what He desires of His people, and that His work is not inferior or disorganized. The same care for orderly arrangements applies to God's work now, and the lessons of order and organization from that perfect order are still to be learned. This is because God has not changed, remains a God of order in the present as in the former time, is not the source of disorder but of peace, and is as particular now as then.
With its numbered hosts and arranged camps, the account stands as a faithful picture and warning for those upon whom the ends of the world have come. It warns lest they follow Israel's example of disobedience, murmuring, lust, idolatry, fornication and tempting Christ and fall as those overthrown in the wilderness.