11 And it came to pass in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. 12 And the children of Israel set forward according to their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud stood still in the wilderness of Paran. 13 And they first took their journey, according to the commandment of Jehovah through Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set forward first according to their hosts, and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab; 15 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar; 16 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. 17 And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward bearing the tabernacle. 18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their hosts, and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur; 19 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; 20 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 21 And the Kohathites set forward bearing the sanctuary: and [the others] set up the tabernacle whilst they came. 22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their hosts, and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud; 23 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; 24 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. 25 And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, the rear-guard of all the camps according to their hosts, and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; 26 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran; 27 and over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 28 These were the settings forward of the children of Israel according to their hosts: so did they set forward.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 10:11-28
Commentary on Numbers 10:11-28
(Read Numbers 10:11-28)
After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, Deuteronomy 1:6-8, and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.