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hundreds； and captains over fifties； and captains over tens；〃 and； lastly；
officers who might be employed for special duties。 Deuteronomy 1：15。
The Hebrew camp was arranged in exact order。 It was separated into three
great divisions； each having its appointed position in the encampment。 In
the center was the tabernacle； the abiding place of the invisible King。
Around it were stationed
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the priests and Levites。 Beyond these were encamped all the other tribes。
To the Levites was committed the charge of the tabernacle and all that
pertained thereto； both in the camp and on the journey。 When the camp set
forward they were to strike the sacred tent； when a halting place was
reached they were to set it up。 No person of another tribe was allowed to
come near； on pain of death。 The Levites were separated into three
divisions； the descendants of the three sons of Levi； and each was assigned
its special position and work。 In front of the tabernacle； and nearest to
it； were the tents of Moses and Aaron。 On the south were the Kohathites；
whose duty it was to care for the ark and the other furniture； on the north
Merarites； who were placed in charge of the pillars； sockets； boards； etc。；
in the rear the Gershonites； to whom the care of the curtains and hangings
was committed。
The position of each tribe also was specified。 Each was to march and to
encamp beside its own standard； as the Lord had commanded： 〃Every man of the
children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard； with the ensign of their
father's house： far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they
pitch。〃 〃As they encamp； so shall they set forward； every man in his place
by their standards。〃 Numbers 2：2； 17。 The mixed multitude that had
accompanied Israel from Egypt were not permitted to occupy the same quarters
with the tribes； but were to abide upon the outskirts of the camp； and their
offspring were to be excluded from the community until the third generation。
Deuteronomy 23：7； 8。
Scrupulous cleanliness as well as strict order throughout the encampment and
its environs was enjoined。 Through sanitary regulations were enforced。 Every
person who was unclean from any cause was forbidden to enter the camp。 These
measures were indispensable to the preservation of health among so vast a
multitude； and it was necessary also that perfect order and purity be
maintained； that Israel might enjoy the presence of a holy God。 Thus He
declared： 〃The Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp； to deliver
thee； and to give up thine enemies before thee； therefore shall thy camp he
holy。〃
In all the journeyings of Israel； 〃the ark of the covenant of the Lord went
before them； 。 。 。 to search out a resting place
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for them。〃 Numbers 10：33。 Borne by the sons of Kohath； the sacred chest
containing God's holy law was to lead the van。 Before it went Moses and
Aaron； and the priests； bearing silver trumpets； were stationed near。 These
priests received directions from Moses； which they communicated to the
people by the trumpets。 It was the duty of the leaders of each company to
give definite directions concerning all the movements to be made； as
indicated by the trumpets。 Whoever neglected to comply with the directions
given was punished with death。
God is a God of order。 Everything connected with heaven is in perfect order；
subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host。
Success can only attend order and harmonious action。 God requires order and
system in His work now no less than in the days of Israel。 All who are
working for Him are to labor intelligently； not in a careless； haphazard
manner。 He would have his work done with faith and exactness； that He may
place the seal of His approval upon it。
God Himself directed the Israelites in all their travels。 The place of their
encampment was indicated by the descent of the pillar of cloud； and so long
as they were to remain in camp； the cloud rested over the tabernacle。 When
they were to continue their journey it was lifted high above the sacred
tent。 A solemn invocation marked both the halt and the departure。 〃It came
to pass； when the ark set forward； that Moses said； Rise up； Lord； and let
Thine enemies be scattered； and let them that late Thee flee before Thee。
And when it rested； he said； Return； O Lord； unto the many thousands of
Israel。〃 Numbers 10：35； 36。
A distance of only eleven days' journey lay between Sinai and Kadesh； on the
borders of Canaan； and it was with the prospect of speedily entering the
goodly land that the hosts of Israel resumed their march when the cloud at
last gave the signal for an onward movement。 Jehovah had wrought wonders in
bringing them from Egypt； and what blessings might they not expect now that
they had formally covenanted to accept Him as their Sovereign； and had been
acknowledged as the chosen people of the Most High？
Yet it was almost with reluctance that many left the place where they had so
long encamped。 They had come almost to regard it as their home。 Within the
shelter of those granite walls
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God had gathered His people； apart from all other nations； to repeat to them
His holy law。 They loved to look upon the sacred mount； on whose hoary peaks
and barren ridges the divine glory had so often been displayed。 The scene
was so closely associated with the presence of God and holy angels that it
seemed too sacred to be left thoughtlessly； or even gladly。
At the signal from the trumpeters； however； the entire camp set forward； the
tabernacle borne in the midst； and each tribe in its appointed position；
under its own standard。 All eyes were turned anxiously to see in what
direction the cloud would lead。 As it moved toward the east； where were only
mountain masses huddled together； black and desolate； a feeling of sadness
and doubt arose in many hearts。
As they advanced； the way became more difficult。 Their route lay through
stony ravine and barren waste。 All around them was the great wilderness〃a
land of deserts and of pits；〃 〃a land of drought； and of the shadow of
death；〃 〃a land that no man passed through； and where no man dwelt。〃
Jeremiah 2：6。 The rocky gorges； far and near； were thronged with men； women；
and children； with beasts and wagons； and long lines of flocks and herds。
Their progress was necessarily slow and toilsome； and the multitudes； after
their long encampment； were not prepared to endure the perils and
discomforts of the way。
After three days' journey open complaints were heard。 These originated with
the mixed multitude； many of whom were not fully united with Israel； and
were continually watching for some cause of censure。 The complainers were
not pleased with the direction of the march； and they were continually
finding fault with the way in which Moses was leading them； though they well
knew that he； as well as they； was following the guiding cloud。
Dissatisfaction is contagious； and it soon spread in the encampment。
Again they began to clamor for flesh to eat。 Though ab