The detailed story of the arrangement of the various tribes around the sacred tabernacle is found in the early chapters of the book of Numbers. God’s holy sanctuary was placed in the center of this encampment, with the priests and the Levites in their tents immediately surrounding it, and the various tribes in order beyond. The messenger of the Lord, in commenting on this arrangement, remarks as follows:BSPC 158.5

“The government of Israel was characterized by the most thorough organization, wonderful alike for its completeness and its simplicity. The order so strikingly displayed in the perfection and arrangement of all God’s created works was manifest in the Hebrew economy. God was the center of authority and government, the sovereign of Israel. Moses stood as their visible leader, by God’s appointment, to administer the laws in His name. From the elders of the tribes a council of seventy was afterward chosen to assist Moses in the general affairs of the nation. Next came the priests, who consulted the Lord in the sanctuary. Chiefs, or princes, ruled over the tribes. Under these were ‘captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens’; and, lastly, officers who might be employed for special duties.BSPC 158.6

“The Hebrew camp was arranged in exact order. It was separated into three 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 the priests and Levites. Beyond these were encamped all the other tribes.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 374, 375.BSPC 158.7

2. In the Plan for the Leadership of the People

The arrangement for the formation of smaller but subsidiary organizations, each with its leader, met with God’s approval, and proved to be a great blessing to the children of God in those early days. Mrs. E. G. White comments:BSPC 159.1

“He [Jethro] counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands, and others as rulers of hundreds, and others of tens.... These were to judge in all matters of minor consequence, while the most difficult and important cases should still be brought before Moses, who was to be to the people, said Jethro, ‘God-ward, that thou may bring the causes unto God. And thou shall teach them ordinances and laws, and shall show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.’ This counsel was accepted, and it not only brought relief to Moses, but resulted in establishing more perfect order among the people.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 301.BSPC 159.2

3. In the Days of the Early Church

The thought of order is well illustrated in the counsel the apostle Paul gave to the church at Corinth. We read:BSPC 159.3

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40.BSPC 159.4

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” Verse 33.BSPC 159.5

“The rest will I set in order when I come.” 1 Corinthians 11:34.BSPC 159.6

“And so ordain I in all churches.” 1 Corinthians 7:17.BSPC 159.7

In verse 33 it is interesting to note the significance of the word “confusion.” In the margin of this text we read “tumult, or, unquietness.” The Greek word here rendered “confusion” is rendered by the word “commotion” in Luke 21:9, and “tumults” in 2 Corinthians 12:20. The word “tumults” appears also in 2 Corinthians 6:5, and the marginal rendering there is “tossing to and fro.” What a picture! When there is confusion in a church, when tumults arise, when dissension and rivalries are rife, we certainly have a disorderly church. May the church of God today ever be saved from such disgraceful and God-dishonoring conduct.BSPC 159.8

Wherever the apostle Paul labored he encouraged harmonious and cooperative service. In his letter to the Thessalonian church he reminds them:BSPC 159.9

“We hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”BSPC 159.10

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 6.BSPC 159.11

The Principle of Order

Subsidiary yet Related Organizations