Numbers 1:9

Our chapter records that as a first step a "head" or prince of each tribe was selected. The choice was not left to the people, or even to Moses. The word to him was, "these are the names of the men who shall assist you…" God chose His own leader for each tribe. This is a useful reminder that God today chooses His own servants and leaders. He does not put the matter to a popular vote.

The whole people are counted tribe by tribe and family by family. A prince of each tribe is chosen, and he oversees the count of that tribe. Only the men of war are to be counted, because the census is taken with the dangers and trials of the journey in view. So right at the start we see the thought of order stressed. No Israelite warrior is left out. Each one takes his place under his tribal prince, and all of them are arranged, as we shall see later, with reference to the tabernacle.

This was an expression of His rights as Lord of Israel. He had title to take their number, for they were all His own. If He had no right to them, and no prospects in them, He would not have counted their number. The same divine title is spoken of in another part of His dominions: "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names." That is the expression of His sovereignty among the heavenly hosts. (Psalm 147:4)

Under Moses and Aaron there are certain princes of the people. Each one belongs to his own tribe, and in time becomes its head. Nothing is recorded about them except their own names and their fathers' names. For that very reason, if there could be any doubt otherwise, we can be sure that their names are meant to speak to us.

Read the names of those who were "the renowned of the congregation" in Numbers, and remember that "El" means "God". The number of names built on it must strike us. For example, in Numbers 1:5, Elizur means "God is my rock". In verse 6, Shelumiel means "Friend of God". In verse 8, Nathaneel means "Given of God". In verse 9, Eliab means "My God is Father". And so we might go on.

God is the Father of His believing people. But if they mix with the world and forget whose they are, they force Him, as it were, to forget their special relation to Himself. He cannot be a Father to them as He would be. How terrible this loss is, little as many think of it! And what a strong witness Zebulun's captain gives us here — Eliab, "God is a Father!" May it speak to His people's hearts with all its solemnity and all its precious encouragement! So Zebulun, "dwelling," gets its right meaning.

Taken as a whole, then, the camp of Judah expresses the spirit of righteousness. The standard he gathers under is righteousness. It is a spirit to which God's statutes are songs, and so it is free from legality. It keeps the enjoyment of relationship to God as Father, where Issachar and Zebulun add the thoughts that complete it.