We are in Numbers chapter one with our word for today, used for the first time in the Bible. דֶּ֫גֶל banners, standards, division. It is used 14 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used in a figurative sense to describe intimacy between Solomon has his beloved. Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, וְדִגְל֥וֹ and his banner over me was love. All the other uses of our word are in the sense of standard, a marker, figurine, or banner of some kind that was likely attached to or part of a pole. And what is interesting about them is that they are all found in the book of Numbers. We find the context of how each tribe was to set out when they broke camp and moved forward. Numbers 10:14 דֶּ֣גֶל The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out first by their companies, and over their company was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. The other context of our word used in the book of Numbers involves where the Israelites were to camp in relationship to each other when they set up camp. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Numbers 1:52-53 The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by דִּגְל֖וֹ his own standard. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony. I find this contrast interesting between all the other tribes and the tribe of Levi. All the tribes had a standard that they had camped around or that identified them. But the Levite’s standard was the tabernacle. What identified them was their relationship with God and their service to God. Close with this great passage about what God’s people are to identify with as what is truly valuable. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
