Numbers 2:17

The camp of the Levites in the midst.

The Tabernacle in the midst of the host

I. The reasons for placing the tabernacle after this manner.

1. God doth hereby admonish them, that they should always have Him before their eyes, lest they should forget His worship or offend Him with their sins (comp. Leviticus 26:11).

2. He had respect indifferently unto all the tribes. If any others had pitched their tents farther than from the Tabernacle, they would have quarrelled and complained that they had been contemned and despised.

3. The Levites were hereby put in mind of their duty, and therefore are lodged about it.

II. The uses of placing the tabernacle after this manner.

1. It assureth us that God will ever be in the midst of us, and settle His rest and residence among us (comp. Leviticus 26:11; Ezekiel 27:27).

(1) God is joined unto us in the person of His own only Son Emmanuel--i.e., God with us. We are made members of His body (see Matthew 28:20).

(2) We have with Him the preaching of the gospel, whereby God is, as it were, brought down to reside and remain among us.

(3) We have the promise of His presence and the seals thereof in His sacraments, whereby we are at one with Him, and He with us (see Galatians 3:27; John 6:54; 1 Corinthians 10:16).

(4) When we come together in the Church to call upon His name He is near unto us, and most familiar with us (see Matthew 18:20).

(5) He dwelleth among us whensoever He preserveth us from evil and delivereth us from our enemies.

2. It serveth to teach us to what end God hath instituted civil states and commonwealths in this world--to wit, to be stays and props to the Church, that the people of God may assemble together in peace and quietness.

3. It serveth to conclude the full and final happiness of the faithful, which is begun in this life, but shall be consummated in the end of this world. (W. Attersoll.)