Today we continue to look at the leaders of each tribe that God named off to Moses for the formation of the army of Israel as they wondered through the desert toward the promised land. 

For some crazy, unknown reason; the authur started out this section by noting the story of Elizur The Son of Shedeur of the tribe of Reuben.  That really isn’t the order that God used; so I want to back up here and start over in naming the leaders of each tribe. 

Today we will look at Nahshon. 

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our ongoing on-line bible study called COME AS A CHILD. 

We  have arrived in our study to the passages found in the book of the bible called Numbers; and we are still dwelling on Chapter 2. 

We hope you are following along in your bibles as we continue through the book of Numbers, word-by-word and page-by-page.  Like innocent wide-eyed children we are seeking to discover the ways of our Father by understanding the Word that He has given to us as a precious gift.

A BANNER WAS OVER EACH TRIBE

The people of Israel had been divided by tribes just as they left the land of Egypt. 

Each tribe carried their own ensign, which many today believe to be a flag that represented their tribe’s name. 

However it was displayed among the people; the tribal ensign had the purpose of explaining their identity.  If you lost your place in step all you had to do was to look for your tribe’s banner and you could find your way back to the right track of the journey.    If someone spotted you from a distance; they would be clear on who you were.

This worked for them just as it would work for us today.  If we looked upon an American flag we could easily assume that the people gathered around it were most likely Americans. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARMY

This army and its tribal divisions was very important to the survival of the new nation called Israel.  The people in the camps were basically unprotected from marauders up until this point. 

LEADERS NEEDED TO BE NAMED

Moses had begun to organize the tribes as God had instructed; but there had not yet been any leaders chosen or appointed. 

Now God was actually naming names and designating leaders.

Whenever names are mentioned specifically in the bible; pay attention.  There is a reason.

NAHSHON SON OF AMMINADAB FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH

In Numbers; Chapter 2 The first leader named was Nahshon.  Nahshon was the Son of Amminadab from the tribe of Judah.

The tribe of Judah pitched their tents to the East side of the Tabernacle and faced toward the rising of the sun.  Nahshon was over all of  this tribe.  He was called their “Prince” or their “Captain.”

Nahshon was of the fifth generation from Israel (Jacob, Judah, Perez, Hezon, Amminadab.)  His family line is quite amazing!

He was also the brother-in-law of Aaron because of the marriage of Aaron to his sister Elisheba. 

He later became the father-in-law to Rahab.   Through Boaz; Nahshon was a direct descendant of David which made him the progenitor of many kings.  This fact also notes that Nahshon was one who was in the direct genealogy of Jesus. 

Nahshon’s father was named Amminadab.  Amminadab’s Hebraic name means “my kinsmen are noble.”

A BRAVE AND OBEDIENT LEADER

When the Israelites were camped by the Red Sea trying to decide how to escape from Pharaoh’s army; Nahshon was the first to enter the water and walk in the water past his nose and above his head.  That played into the meaning of Nahshon’s name; as he became called:  Nahshon because it meant “stormy sea waves.”

Later, after the leaders of Israel were chosen and called out by name they each were required to bring an offering for their tribe before God.  Moses did not know which tribe should be called first and the people yelled for Nahshon to be the one because of how he brought God’s will on the day of the crossing of the Red Sea.  They knew his offerings would bring the Shekinah Glory of God down to the Tabernacle.  When Nahshon DID bring the first offering; he brought of his own possessions and not the possessions of the people of his tribe.  

SIX NOBLE DESCENDANTS

In the spelling of Nahshon’s name in Hebrew there is a “vov” which is a letter found in no other leader’s name.  This “vov” means six.  There were six descendants of Nahshon that stood out in the history of Israel and of mankind altogether;  they were:  David, The Messiah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Michelangelo depicted Nahshon’s painting in his paintings of the Sistine Chapel where he is shown as a young man in a red robe holding a book.