II Tim. 2:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteous-ness; (NASB) Even the Book of Numbers

Nu. 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland. Nu. 24:1- 2… he set his face toward the wilderness … And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. (NASB) What was the sight that greeted him? Here is one artist’s rendering…

While that is indeed an awesome picture, does the Bible tell us exactly what the encampment Balaam saw looked like? Yes!!! Where? Numbers chapter 2!!!!!! That’s right, the “boring” book of Numbers! Let’s take a look.

Num 2:1-2 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, "The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance. east next Num 2:3 "Now those who camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah,… Num 2:5 "Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar,…Num 2:7 "Then comes the tribe of Zebulun, Num 2:9 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Judah: 186,400

south side Num 2:10 "On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben Num 2:12 "Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon, Num 2:14 "Then comes the tribe of Gad Num 2:16 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Reuben: 151,450

west side Num 2:18 "On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim… Num 2:20 "Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh,… Num 2:22 "Then comes the tribe of Benjamin… Num 2:24 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Ephraim: 108,100 … north side Num 2:25 "On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan… Num 2:27 "Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher,… Num 2:29 "Then comes the tribe of Naphtali, Num 2:31 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Dan was 157,600

Num 2:9 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Judah: 186,400 Num 2:24 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Ephraim: 108,100 … Num 2:31 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Dan was 157,600 Num 2:16 "The total of the numbered men of the camp of Reuben: 151,450

Now you can see it - right? Still not sure? How about if we insert the tabernacle in the middle and then group the tribes around the tabernacle, just like it said in Numbers 2: 1- 2?

W Moses Tabernacle S N E

The scene which God had set before Balaam was a prophetic foreshadow of the cross of Jesus Christ!!! While he did not know what lay before him, we wouldn’t have seen it were it not for two things. First of all God took the time to include the census of each tribe of Israel in the first few chapters of the book of Numbers. Secondly, the Holy Spirit opened our eyes to the beauty and depth of God’s Word.

But there is even more!!! Remember, God speaks to us twice, and as we will now see - there is yet another cross hidden within Moses’ Tabernacle. As was true with the placement of the various tribes around the tabernacle, God gave Moses specific instructions as to were to place the various articles which were to be included within the tabernacle.

Ex 40:21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up a veil for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. (NASB)

Moses’Tabernacle Courtyard Tent of Meeting Veil between Middle Court & Holy of Holies S E N W

Ex 40:22 Then he put the table in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil. (NASB)

Moses’ Tabernacle Courtyard Tent of Meeting Veil between Middle Court & Holy of Holies

Ex 40:24 Then he placed the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. (NASB)

Moses’ Tabernacle Courtyard Tent of Meeting Veil between Middle Court & Holy of Holies

Ex 40:26 Then he placed the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the veil; (NASB )

Moses’Tabernacle Courtyard Tent of Meeting Veil between Middle Court & Holy of Holies

Ex 40:29 He set the altar of burnt offering before the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. ( NASB)

Moses’Tabernacle Courtyard Tent of Meeting Veil between Middle Court & Holy of Holies

Ex 40:30 He placed the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing. (NASB)

Moses’Tabernacle Courtyard Tent of Meeting Veil between Middle Court & Holy of Holies

A Cross within a Cross !!!