Year 1, Week 18, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 18, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 26.

Today’s reading corresponds to the opening chapters of Numbers and reminds us of why we call this Book, Numbers. A census was taken of the first generation of Israelites, soon after the deliverance from Egyptian captivity, and now another census was taken of the second generation of Israelites. Over thirty-eight years has transpired as the Book of Numbers unfolds. The first generation would not live in the Promised Land, as a result of judgment for their unbelief and rebellion. Numbers 26 records the new census, which comprised a new generation, a complete population turnover, with the exception of Moses, Caleb, and Joshua.

What struck me in today’s reading was how the two censuses reveal the character of God: “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.” (Psalm 117:2). One of the main things that should be seen in the two censuses is the similar size. The census of men, over the age of twenty, from the first generation was 603,550 (Numbers 1:46). The census of men, over the age of twenty, from the second generation was 601,730 (Numbers 26:51). After almost forty years of wandering around the wilderness, the total population of men was about the same. The significance of this particular population was for the purposes of fighting: “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war.” (Numbers 26:2). Israel would soon be at war in order to take possession of the Promised Land. The LORD had faithfully preserved the number of men who would be available to fight. The LORD has kept Israel equipped for war: “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.” (Psalm 144:1-2). 

While the two censuses reflect the LORD’s faithfulness to preserve the Israelites so that they are ready to enter the Promised Land, today’s reading also reminds us that the LORD is faithful to His Word in disciplining ways as well: “But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.” (Numbers 14:21-23). While there are still over 600,000 men ready to fight, there are also over 600,000 men who have perished. The entire first generation (except Moses, Caleb, and Joshua) have died in the wilderness. The wages of sin is death. While sin’s effects do not ultimately thwart God’s purposes, sin, nevertheless, has real consequences. An entire generation forfeited their entrance into the Promised Land: “For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” (Psalm 95:10-11).

Amid the census details there are a few instances of annotations, which serve to stress a point. While over 600,000 men die during the wilderness wanderings, some are the focus of special attention: “The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the LORD and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning. But the sons of Korah did not die.” (Numbers 26:9-11). The deaths of Dathan and Abiram are explicitly referenced. These men from the tribe of Reuben and their line are completely extinguished because of their participation in the rebellion described in Numbers 16. Justice was served against Dathan and Abiram. On the other hand, there was mercy extended to the line of Korah, even though Korah was also involved in the same rebellion: “But the sons of Korah did not die.” The grace of God took a family that deserved death and preserved some who went on to take on a special role of singers and Psalm writers in Israel’s life. The sons of Korah teach us: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness” (Psalm 45:6-7); and: “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). A family who warranted death were spared to become worship leaders for Israel. Notes of grace are found in this census.

While the Israelite population flourished exceedingly during their years of Egyptian captivity, the wilderness years were stagnated. While the LORD did preserve them, as the numbers show, the numbers also show that the LORD’s blessings upon Israel resulting in them being fruitful and multiplying was subdued. The LORD preserved the nation, but in their unbelief, they did not realize all that could have been theirs. The realization of dwelling in the Promised Land was delayed, but not abandoned altogether. The LORD is faithful: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe