“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” They did not choose places for themselves, nor did other men choose places for them. The dwelling place of God upon earth was their center; around it they were gathered, though the word is “far off” (verse 2) — distant, because the veil still hung (Matt. 27:5151And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)); the blood of the Lamb of God was not shed (John 19:3434But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34); 1 Peter 1:18, 1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19)).
Verse 3, presents Judah first, and Judah was to lead the war, (verse 9). This is the tribe with which the Lord Jesus was pleased to take up His earthly connection as a baby.
Verse 10 brings in the eldest son, Reuben, with two tribes attached, as Judah and the others also; but now centrally with the tabernacle are shown the Levites,—-example of the Christian seen, not as fighting his way through an enemy’s country, but as one who serves a heavenly Master. These are followed by the remaining groups of Ephraim (verse 18), and Dan (verse 25).
This was God’s plan, and no doubt, as men have tried their best to “improve”, and alter what He has done in forming and directing the true Church of to-day, which includes every real believer in the Lord Jesus,—every saved soul,—so it must have been then in the camp. But God’s words permitted of no altering, no amending, no improving.
Are you satisfied with what God has done? I am, and amid the ruin that is to-day, He has not changed His Word.