Feb 23: Numbers 1-2

Feb 23, Numbers 1-2

I wanted to preface Numbers as we start to read it and I found it best to use what was in my ESV study Bible notes. It states, “The theme of Numbers is the gradual fulfillment of the promises to Abraham that his descendants would be the people of God and occupy the land of Canaan. The book shows the reality of God’s presence with Israel in the cloud of fire over the tabernacle, but the repeated displays of unbelief by Israel delay the entry into Canaan and cost many lives. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, Israel is poised to enter the land.” So, don't dread reading this book, instead look at God’s work and recording of history so that we can learn about His awesomeness and patience…

Numbers 1 God is preparing His people to enter the Promised Land, so He commands moses to take a census of every Israelite, broken down by clans. He specifies how to do it - and God even says who is to do it for him. The age recorded was men able to go to war (guys that are between 20 and approximately 60 years old). Obviously, war is imminent with neighboring countries, and that is why it starts out with listing those that were in the army of Israel. Historians guesstimate that if you included woman and males under 20 and over 60, the Israelites would have been about 2 million, in number! Note that the tribe of Judah is the largest, which hints at its supremacy (side note - David and Jesus both come from this tribe… and if you didn’t know, this is where the Jews come from. Judah - Jew). Also note, the Levites are excluded from the census - as their job was take care of the tabernacle and lead people into worship, before the presence of God. 

Numbers 2 is where we learn about how God wants the camp to be arranged, with the tribe of Judah leading (see photo attached). 

One thing I learned that was interesting, is that the Pharaoh (Rameses II around 1275 B.C.) set up his army the same way that the Lord commanded Moses to set his up - God knows what He is doing!  And God is also a God of War. After Judah leads, God lays out the progression of soldiers there after. The chapter ends with the Israelites in full obedience to what God is telling them to do. But, as you shall soon see - this is a trend that sadly will end…

To sum it all up:

• We are to fully trust in what God wants and commands, He knows what He is doing. God does care about the details of our lives and it shows in how He orchestrated everything for His people