Numbers 2 The Lord told Moses and Aaron to arrange the camps of the tribes of Israel in a very specific order.  They were to camp around and facing the "tent of meeting" that would be the center... with the Levites "keeping charge",  3 tribes on each side.

To the east and going out first when they traveled were the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.  These three tribes descend from  Jacob's wife, Leah. Altogether this army had 186,400 men. 

To the south were the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.. Reuben and Simeon were Leah's sons, the first and second born of Jacob. Gad's mother was Zilpah, the maid of Leah, the 7th born son. They would set out 2nd when they traveled. Their army had 151,450 men. 

The Levites with the tent and all of the furniture would be in the middle of all the other tribes. 

Next , would be the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. They would camp to the west of the tent of meeting and would set off after the Levites. All of these were descended through Jacob and Rachel, Ephraim and Manasseh, being the sons of Joseph. This army numbered 108,100 men. 

Finally, camped to the north and setting out last were the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.  Dan and Asher were children from Rachel's maid Bilhah, and Naphtali was the other son born by Zilpah, Leah's maid. This final army was altogether 157,600 men. 

Every tribe had their own army and their own standard or banner.  Each tribe had a leader appointed by name as the Lord determined.  "Thus the sons of Israel did according to all the Lord commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, everyone by his family, according to his father's household." ( v 34)

So.. what is the Lord showing us through all these numbers?  I see that this arrangement put the largest armies in the front and the back as they traveled, with the Levites and the tent protected.  The tent of the meeting was protected on all sides when camped.. and as the tribes faced it they would be continually reminded of the Lord's presence among them.  This is how it is meant to be.. the Lord in the midst.. our eyes turned toward Him.. His presence extending north, south, east and west.. He is the anchor and the light for our families.. our churches.... our nation.  

Father.. abide in our hearts.. abide in our fellowships.. our homes.. and in every part of our lives.  Surround us with Your mighty army and move in our lives that we might walk in Your ways and bring glory to Your Holy Name.  We ask to be filled by Your Spirit so that we might walk in all truth and righteousness.  Strengthen our faith and lead us every day to know You more and to grow in grace and love. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and King. Amen .