Where should I put my tent?

I came accross an article, Tabernacle Camp Emplacements: A Foreshadow Of The Cross which sparked my interest this morning and thought i would share it for those interested.

I do recomend reading the article but for those of you who would like the shortened version, here goes...

Upon examination of Numbers 2, one can notice that God gave very specific instructions for the arrangement of the Israelite camp. He told Judah, Issachar and Zebulun to camp east of the Tabernacle; Reuben, Simeon and Gad to the south; Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh to the west, and Dan, Asher and Naphtali to the north. The Levites stayed with the Tabernacle because it was their job to be Priests and caretakers of everything concerning the worship center. The Tabernacle, obviously, was the heart or the center of the camp.

Now when God gives a command it is usually accompanied by more than simple face value. This case is no different. The directions in which each tribe is to camp is specific, either East, South, West or North. Since the tabernacle was a rectangle we can assume that the areas occupied each of the 'four camps' were within the boundaries of the tabernacle. ie the 'southern camp' is not wider than the southern side of the tabernacle or else they would not be directly south.

When the populations are given they only include men of fighting age or older. ( if simple family calculations are made to include women and children they remain in the same proportions)

1. East: Judah, Issachar and Zebulun number 186 400 under the banner of the Lion.
2. South: Reuben, Simeon and Gad number 151 450 under the banner of the Man
3. West: Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh number 108 100 under the banner of the Ox.
4. North: Dan, Asher and Naphtali number157 600 under the banner of the Eagle.

When placed where they go they proportionally look a little like this, if facing the camp from the east and on a hill.

A CROSS is formed. Had men designed this a camp they most likely would have put in all the tents in a circle for more protection, just as the american explorers did with their wagon trains. However, this is an example of God's plan being made known from the begining. A cross with Him (the tabernacle) at the heart, as the only way to Him is through Him.

As it is said...

"The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed."