Sunday, February 3, 2008

February 5 - Numbers 9:1-12, 1-2:34


The tribes of Israel are numbered in this reading.  Guess which one is the biggest?  Well, at least, has the most men 20 years and older with 74,600?  Judah.  I wonder if it's because Judah was one of Jacob's more admirable sons?  He comes back to see if he can get Joseph out of the pit only to discover he's been sold.  He tells Jacob to hold him and even his children accountable if Benjamin is not returned.  His will be the line from which a savior will arise.
Judah's blessing is more than descendants.  This tribe is shown favor in other ways.  Judah is encamped  East of the tabernacle:  "On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard." [Numbers 2:3]  More ways than one, Judah is encamped toward the sunrise.  The sun [or son] will shine on this tribe first.  
Note too that Joseph and Benjamin's descendants are camped together.

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