God is helping Moses to put together the captains of the army of Israel. Several tribal captains have already been named. Today we will look at what is known of Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, from the tribe of Gad.
He was the next commander chosen to be over the tribe of Gad that moved in formation and camped next to the Levites who lived with two other tribes on the south side of the wilderness tabernacle.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our every-Thursday on-line bible study called COME AS A CHILD.
We are walking together very slowly through the books of the bible taking one page and one line and one word at a time. Hurry is a word we do not use on this journey. Our minds are functioning with the heart and wonder of a young child seeking to follow their father on a great adventure. We are never in a hurry here. Our pace is set to move however and whenever our Father leads us.
Today we are studying from The Book of Numbers, Chapter 2. If you need to review last week’s lesson you may find it here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/my-peace-is-god-come-as-a-child-lesson-245/.
We are so glad you have chosen to join our study today!
GETTING TO KNOW ELIASAPH
Why do you think God chose Eliasaph to be over the tribe of Gad in this mighty army?
Let’s see what character traits and facts we can find about this man.
In Hebrew the name “Eliasaph” means “God has added.”
The tribe he comes from, Gad, was named after one of the twelve sons of Israel. Gad was one of the sons of Bilhah who was the handmaiden of Rachel (Jacob/Israel’s second but most-favored wife.)
Zilpah was the handmaiden of Leah (Jacob/Israel’s first and least loved wife.) Zilpah’s firstborn son was named Dan.
When the tribal honors were being doled out Dan was given the honor of being captain over three tribes while Eliasaph was given the honor of being only over the tribe of Gad.
Legend has it that because Eliasaph did not complain about this unequal distribution of honor; that his father’s name, Deuel, (Known of God) was changed to Reuel (Friend of God like Moses.)
It was noted among the tribes of Israel that if one avoided disputes and was willing to do this even if it meant they would have to forego a truly deserved honor, that this person would be considered a true friend of God.
This is the reason why many suspect that God buried Moses’ body on the east bank of the Jordan, in the territory of Gad – though the exact location is not known.
Of course, this is all legend. We will have to ask God about the whole story in eternity; but it shows how much emphasis and importance is put on a man’s character in the Hebraic world. Humility was considered a very valuable trait and it was always honored and respected.
Do you think that will ever be said of our present culture? Let us pray for a change of heart and for our men to aspire more to be a friend of God than to be well-known and respected among the prominent citizens of the world’s government.
So much about governing a nation can be learned by looking at the way that God placed the leaders of Israel in His army.
The men under Eliasaph’s command had certain tasks to carry out, as did all of the individual tribes. It was their job to transport the tent coverings and the screen of the tabernacle entrance. Also they carried the screen of the courtyard entrance and the hangings of the courtyard as well as the tent cords.
Without the safe transportation of these items; the tabernacle in the wilderness could not be set up properly. Every man had to do their job well and every job was well-respected because each piece depended upon the other pieces. If one division of the army failed to carry out their part of the work; none of the other divisions could carry out their tasks efficiently. They moved like wheels within wheels in total unison and precision; the exact formation that God had designed to make His existence with mankind a joyful and awesome process that brought abundance and plenty to all of the nation.