In most years, the Torah portion of Bamidbar is read on the Shabbat immediately before the holiday of Shavuot. This is because the main preparation for the Giving of the Torah is the mitzva of "And you shall love your fellow as yourself," Jewish unity, which Moses' census accomplished and underscored. (Beit Avraham)
Every man shall camp by his own flag, according to the sign of his father's house (Num. 2:2)
According to our Sages, every individual is obligated to ask himself, "When will my deeds reach the deeds of my forefathers?" This does not mean that a Jew has to worry about exactly emulating the Patriarchs, but that his behavior should at least "touch" (the Hebrew word for "reach" comes from the same root) the high standards ("sign") they set for him, and strive to follow in their ways. (Sefat Emet)
