Numbers 2:9 – “All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Judah, one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred—these shall break camp first.”
God has an order. On the east side of the tabernacle three tribes were stationed. Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun camped, along with Moses and Aaron and their families, on the side of the entrance to the tabernacle. The name “Judah” means “praise.” You enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4).
Whenever Israel would travel from one location to another it was Judah who would lead the entire nation forward. “Judah first” is God’s order. Praise should start our day and everything else. Praise also needs to give first: Numbers 7:11,12 – “For the Lord said to Moses, ‘They shall offer their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.’ 12And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah.”
Praise should go into battle first, for deliverance belongs to Judah: Judges 1:1,2 – “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, ‘Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?’ 2And the Lord said, ‘Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.’”
Judges 20:18 – “Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, ‘Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin? ’The Lord said, ‘Judah first!’”
If you haven’t praised yet, why not pause and do so? Let’s see if your day doesn’t turn out to be a victorious one. Oh, you may be in a battle today—but victory is assured. Remember God’s order: Judah first!