Chapter 9 (Continued) (There is currently no audio for this lesson.)

The Second Passover (Continued)

8. THE PRESENCE OF GOD (Numbers 9:15-23 [15] And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. [16] So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. [17] And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. [18] At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. [19] And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. [20] And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. [21] And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. [22] Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. [23] At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
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3. The Presence of God Leads the Way (Numbers 9:17-23 [17] And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. [18] At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. [19] And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. [20] And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. [21] And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. [22] Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. [23] At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
   See All...).
1. Cloud taken up
1. Time to journey (Numbers 9:17And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
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2. No matter what time of day (Numbers 9:21And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
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2. Cloud abides
1. Time to rest (Numbers 9:17And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
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2. Place of God’s choosing (Numbers 9:17And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
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3. Time to stay put and keep the charge of the Lord (Numbers 9:18At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
   See All..., 19, 20, 22)
3. The people of God were not to go where His presence did not lead them.
4. They were not to pitch their tents where the presence of God did not lead them.

Chapter 10

Time to Journey

1. INTRODUCTION
1. Problems in the Chapter
1. The order of the march
1. In Numbers 2 the order of march was:
1. Judah
2. Reuben
3. Levites
4. Ephraim
5. Dan
2. In Numbers 10 it appears to be:
1. Ark
2. Judah
3. Gershon and Merari
4. Reuben
5. Kohathites
6. Ephraim
7. Dan
2. The identity of Hobab (Exodus 2:18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
   See All..., Exodus  4:18
   See All..., Exodus 18:5And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
   See All...; Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
   See All...; Judges 4:11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
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1. “Thus Moses urged Hobab, his father-in-law (or ‘brother-in-law’) to accompany him on the journey.” The Book of Numbers by Charles R. Erdman pages 41-42
2. “How strange to find Moses saying to Hobab, his Midianite relative,”  Explore the Book by J Sidlow Baxter page 174
3. “The relation of Hobab to Moses is uncertain because ‘father-in-law’ is a general term for relation by marriage.  Raguel is Reuel in Exodus 2:18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
   See All....”  Through the Pentateuch Chapter by Chapter by W.H. Griffith Thomas page 142.
4. Hobab is “the father-in-law or brother-in-law of Moses.  The phrase ‘father-in-law’ in Judges 4:11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
   See All... may possibly mean nothing more than ‘in-law,’ or perhaps Jethro was also named Hobab; but the identity is uncertain.”  Rice Reference Edition Study Bible by John R. Rice page 1410.
5. Jethro is “called Reuel in Exodus 2:18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
   See All....  In Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
   See All..., the KJV calls him Raguel; but the Hebrew text reads Reuel.”  Rice Reference Edition Study Bible by John R. Rice page 1418.
6. Hobab was the son of Jethro and thence the brother-in-law of Moses. He is said to have followed the Israelites to the promised land ( Canaan). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobab)
7. Hobab: “a Kenite man who has been usually identified with Jethro….In Judges 4:11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
   See All..., the word rendered ‘father-in-law’ means properly any male relative by marriage (compare Genesis 19:14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
   See All..., ‘son-in-law,’ A.V.), and should be rendered ‘brother-in-law,’ as in the R.V.” (http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/hobab.htm)
8. “Perhaps this is a good analogy...reading the Bible without knowing Greek and Hebrew is like watching a 25" television...while reading the Bible knowing Greek and Hebrew is like watching a 60" plasma HDTV with stereo surround sound. You can understand what is going on with the 25" television, but the 60" plasma HDTV with stereo surround sound gives added clarity. With God's help, anyone can accurately understand the Bible in English. However, knowing Hebrew and Greek helps to understand the Bible a little better.” (http://www.gotquestions.org/Greek-Hebrew-Bible.html)
2. Division
1. The trumpets (Numbers 10:1-10 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. [3] And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [4] And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. [5] When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. [6] When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. [7] But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. [8] And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. [9] And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. [10] Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
   See All...)
2. The overview of the journey (Numbers 10:11-12 [11] And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. [12] And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
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3. The order of the march (Numbers 10:13-28 [13] And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. [14] In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. [15] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. [16] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. [17] And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle. [18] And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. [19] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. [20] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. [21] And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. [22] And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. [23] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. [24] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. [25] And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. [26] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. [27] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. [28] Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
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4. The invitation given to Hobab (Numbers 10:29-32 [29] And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. [30] And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. [31] And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. [32] And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
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5. The departure (Numbers 10:33-36 [33] And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. [34] And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. [35] And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. [36] And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.
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2. THE TRUMPETS (Numbers 10:1-10 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. [3] And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [4] And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. [5] When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. [6] When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. [7] But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. [8] And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. [9] And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. [10] Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
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1. Directions for the Trumpets (Numbers 10:1-2 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
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1. Makeup of the trumpets
1. Two trumpets of silver
2. Of a whole piece
2. Purposes of the trumpets
1. Calling of the assembly
2. Journeying of the camp
2. The Blowing of the Trumpets (Numbers 10:3-10 [3] And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [4] And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. [5] When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. [6] When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. [7] But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. [8] And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. [9] And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. [10] Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
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1. Blowing the trumpet (Numbers 10:3-4 [3] And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [4] And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
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1. Blow both trumpets and all of the congregation assembles at the door of the tabernacle (Numbers 10:3And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
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2. Blow with one trumpet and the princes shall assemble (Numbers 10:4And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
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2. Blowing the alarm (Numbers 10:5-7 [5] When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. [6] When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. [7] But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
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1. Blow one alarm and the camps on the east shall move forward (Numbers 10:5When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
   See All...).
2. Blow the alarm a second time and the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey (Numbers 10:6When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
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3. We would assume that the same scenario would signify the journey of those on the west, north, and perhaps once for the Kohathites, once for the Merarites and once for the Gershonites in the midst of the camp.
4. The trumpet that sounded to call Dan to go forward would be the last trump. That would be when everyone in the camp was called to go. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
   See All...) You can see how this picture would be so powerful to the early believers. The last trump indicated that the entire congregation was now on the move. That is the picture that Paul is using in 1 Corinthians 15:52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
   See All.... Just as the last trumpet call in the wilderness meant that the entire congregation was on the move, so the last trump at the time of the rapture will indicate that the entire church of the redeemed is called up: both the living and the dead. This trumpet marks the departure of the Church, but it also marks a coming oppression for the Israelites (Numbers 10:9And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
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3. An ordinance for ever (Numbers 10:8And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
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4. Times for the trumpets (Numbers 10:9-10 [9] And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. [10] Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
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1. War in your land (Numbers 10:9And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
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1. War is in their land.
2. The enemy is oppressing them.
3. They will be remembered before the Lord.
4. They will be saved from their enemies.
2. The day of your gladness (Numbers 10:10Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
   See All...)
3. In your solemn days (Numbers 10:10Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
   See All...)
4. In the beginning of your months (Numbers 10:10Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
   See All...)
5. Over your burnt offerings (Numbers 10:10Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
   See All...)
6. Over your peace offerings (Numbers 10:10Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
   See All...)
3. THE OVERVIEW OF THE JOURNEY (Numbers 10:11-12 [11] And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. [12] And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
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1. Time
1. The 20th day of the 2nd month in the 2nd year
2. The tabernacle was reared on the 1st day of the 1st month in the 2nd year.
3. The offerings of the people go from approximately the 1st day to the 13th day of the 1st month and 2nd year.
4. The passover occurs on the 14th day of the 1st month in the 2nd year and the 14th day of the 2nd month in the 2nd year.
2. Place
1. Out of the wilderness of Sinai or the mount of the Lord in Numbers 10:33And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
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2. To the wilderness of Paran
4. THE ORDER OF THE MARCH (Numbers 10:13-28 [13] And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. [14] In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. [15] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. [16] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. [17] And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle. [18] And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. [19] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. [20] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. [21] And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. [22] And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. [23] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. [24] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. [25] And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. [26] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. [27] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. [28] Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
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1. Order
1. Judah (Numbers 10:14-16 [14] In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. [15] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. [16] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
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1. Judah – led by Nahshon son of Amminadab
2. Issachar – led by Nethaneel son of Zuar
3. Zebulun – led by Eliab son of Helon
2. Gershon and Merari (Numbers 10:17And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.
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1. Tabernacle taken down
2. They bear the tabernacle.
3. Reuben (Numbers 10:18-20 [18] And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. [19] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. [20] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
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1. Reuben – led by Elizur son of Shedeur
2. Simeon – led by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
3. Gad – led by Eliasaph son of Deuel
4. Kohathites bearing the sanctuary (Numbers 10:21And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
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5. Ephraim (Numbers 10:22-24 [22] And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. [23] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. [24] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
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1. Ephraim – led by Elishama son of Ammihud
2. Manasseh – led by Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
3. Benjamin – led by Abidan son of Gideoni
6. Dan (Numbers 10:25-28 [25] And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. [26] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. [27] And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. [28] Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
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1. Dan – led by Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
2. Asher – led by Pagiel son of Ocran
3. Naphtali – led by Ahira son of Enan
4. Rereward is another spelling for rearward and is related to rear guard. Ward is congruent to guard (Acts 12:10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
   See All...). Found six times in scripture: Numbers 10:25And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
   See All...; Joshua 6:9And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
   See All..., 13; 1 Samuel 29:2And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
   See All...; Isaiah 52:12For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
   See All..., Isaiah 58:8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
   See All.... It acts both as a rear guard and as reserve forces.
2. According to the Commandment of the Lord
1. This tells us that the children of Israel marched the way God wanted them to march.
2. Most commentators assume that Gershon and Merari marched after Judah, but it is very possible that they began taking down the tabernacle after Judah and still marched after Reuben.
3. Reasons why I believe that they still marched in the order mentioned in Numbers 2 with the exception of a few Kohathites up front with the ark of the covenant:
1. Numbers 2:34And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.
   See All... says “so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward.”  They did not set forward until Numbers 10:11And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
   See All....
2. They would have needed time to take down the tabernacle, so it would make sense for them to get started before time to fall in rank.
3. Numbers 10:6When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
   See All... says, “when ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps on the south side shall take their journey”.  If the sons of Gershon and Merari were marching second I would think that this alarm would have been for them instead of for Reuben.
5. THE INVITATION GIVEN TO HOBAB (Numbers 10:29-32 [29] And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. [30] And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. [31] And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. [32] And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
   See All...)
1. Who is Hobab?
1. Names of concern
1. Jethro
2. Reuel
3. Hobab
4. Raguel
2. Things we know
1. Jethro is Moses’ father-in-law and is with Zipporah (Exodus 3:1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
   See All...; Exodus 4:18And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
   See All...; Exodus 18:1-6 [1] When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; [2] Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, [3] And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: [4] And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: [5] And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: [6] And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
   See All...).
2. Reuel is Zipporah’s father or Moses’ father-in-law (Exodus 2:18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
   See All..., 21).
3. Hobab is Moses’ father-in-law (Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
   See All...).
4. Jethro is Reuel is Hobab.
1. If this is a problem then it should bother you that Simon is Peter is Cephas.
2. People often had multiple names and oftentimes it had to do with meanings of names (Acts 4:36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
   See All...).
5. Who is Raguel? (Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
   See All...)
1. Non-restrictive phrases:  phrases not essential to the meaning of the noun they modify should be followed, set off, or preceded by commas.
2. Notice that the phrase “the son of Raguel the Midianite” is set off by commas.  This would tell us that this is not necessary for the understanding of the passage but rather is additional information.
3. The verse could just as well read Hobab…Moses’ father-in-law.  So who is Raguel?  He is the father of Hobab and God just gave us a little additional information that wasn’t necessary for the sentence to make sense.
2. The Invitation to Hobab (Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
   See All...)
1. Come thou with us.
2. We will do thee good.
3. The Rejection of Hobab (Numbers 10:30And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.
   See All...)
1. I will not go.
2. I will depart to mine own land.
3. I will depart to my own kindred.
4. The Dependency upon Hobab (Numbers 10:31And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.
   See All...)
1. Thou knowest how we are to encamp.
2. Be to us instead of eyes.
5. The Appeal to Hobab (Numbers 10:32And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
   See All...)
1. It shall be.
2. What goodness the Lord shall do unto us
3. The same will we do unto thee.
6. Hobab Accepted
1. They departed (Numbers 10:33And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
   See All...).
2. Hobab’s kindred were in the land later (Judges 4:11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
   See All...).
6. THE DEPARTURE (Numbers 10:33-36 [33] And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. [34] And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. [35] And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. [36] And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.
   See All...)
1. The Details of the Departure (Numbers 10:33-34 [33] And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. [34] And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
   See All...)
1. Three days journey
2. The ark of the covenant went before.
3. To search out a resting place
4. This could in itself be a very wonderful picture of Jesus Christ.
1. Presence of God
1. The tabernacle is the very place of God’s presence.
2. Jesus Christ is God Himself – not veiled in the tabernacle but rather veiled in flesh (John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
   See All...; 1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
   See All...).
2. Taken down
1. The tabernacle was not erected long before it was taken down.
2. Jesus Christ was cut off out of the land of the living (Isaiah 53:8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
   See All...) but not for himself (Daniel 9:26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
   See All...). He likened His death to the destruction of a temple (John 2:19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
   See All...).
3. A three days’ journey
1. The tabernacle is said to have gone on a 3 days’ journey with the people.
2. Our Lord went on a 3 day trip into the heart of the earth.
4. A resting place
1. The ark of the covenant went out in the lead to search out a resting place for them.
2. Our Lord’s work in the heart of the earth was in the intent of procuring a resting place for the people of God.