Numbers 1:1-4; 1:54-3:15; 3:40-6:27

Once the Law was given, all they needed to do was build the Tabernacle, consecrate the priests and get started. Of the many difficulties in doing that was that there are now 600,000 men of fighting age (20+ years old) – that doesn’t include the women and children. Oh, and they are out in the desert.

Even now, Yahweh Elohim puts things in order and in so doing makes a statement. He tells the 12 tribes to order themselves in groups of three. Each group of three will set up their camp on a specified side of the Tabernacle complex (north, south, east or west) facing the Tabernacle. Remembering that the Presence of God was in the Holy of Holies, He was now truly in the midst of the Israelites. Even more interesting is that if you read it carefully, the camps went straight out from each side. Given the proportions according to the numbers from the census, the camp if the Israelites with God at the center would have looked something like this …

Hmmm. That looks familiar.

The message couldn’t be clearer. In essence God was saying, “Make Me the center of your life and I will bless you, guide you and provide for you until you reach the Promised Land.”

How interesting that that is also the central message of the Cross. As the eternal plan of Almighty God in Christ Jesus unfolds through history and through the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), all is subtly being revealed. Because it’s all about God, it’s all about Jesus. Because it’s all about Jesus, it’s all about God.

He wants us to seek Him. He wants us to find Him. He wants us to know Him. Long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was in the midst of the children of Israel – hiding in plain sight!

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!