Title Numbers 1:1-19
Contents
Numbers 1:1-19
There is one thing that you must do when you go on a picnic or field trip at school. Knowing the number of people before departure. God now instructs Israel to set out for the Promised Land in the Sinai Wilderness.
Numbers 1:1-19
1The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting. The place you spoke of was in the wilderness of Sinai, and it was on the first day of the second month of the second year after the people of Israel came out of Egypt. 2 “Count all the people of Israel. Write each person's name by family and by household. 3 Count all the men of Israel who are twenty years old or older with Aaron. They are the people who will serve in the Israeli army. Write their names for each unit.
4 Choose one leader from each tribe to work with you. 5 These are the names of the leaders who will help you. From the tribe of Reuben, Elishur the son of Shedeul; 6 From the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; 7 From the tribe of Judah, Nashon the son of Amminadab; 8 From the tribe of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar, 9 the tribe of Zebulun. Of the sons of Esau, Eliab the son of Helon; 10 Of the sons of Joseph, Elishama the son of Ammihud, of the tribe of Ephraim, Gamaliel the son of Pedashur of the tribe of Manasseh; 11 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni; Ahiezer the son of , 13 of the tribe of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran, 14 of the tribe of Gad, Eliasab the son of Deuel, 15 of the tribe of Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.” 16 These are the people the people have chosen to be the leaders of their tribes. These were the leaders of each family.
17Moses and Aaron took these men whom the people had chosen, 18and gathered all the people of Israel. It was the first day of the second month. The people wrote their names by family and by household. All men over the age of twenty had their names written down. 19Moses did as the LORD commanded. Moses wrote the names of the people in the wilderness of Sinai. (Easy Bible)
When Israel came out of Egypt, they made a covenant with God on Mount Sinai and made the tabernacle as a proof to take shape as God's people. One month after the completion of the tabernacle (Ex 40:17, the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus) (Exodus 40:17, the first day of the second month of the second year after the Exodus), God commands Moses to take a census. This was not simply a counting of the total number of Israelites, but of men over the age of twenty who would serve (fight in war) in the army. This means preparation for battle, which is the most essential preparation for them before they set off for the Promised Land (verses 1-3).
God chose leaders from each tribe to help Moses and Aaron (verses 4-16). Moses and Aaron took the census in the way God commanded (vv. 17-19).
A man over the age of 20, whom God had Moses investigate, means a strong and courageous soldier who can fight in war. God is still looking for strong and courageous people to fight sin in the spiritual battle today. Just because my name is written on the church register does not necessarily mean that my name is also written on the list of God's soldiers. Am I ready to fight in a spiritual battle? Pray to be strong and courageous soldiers of God.
I want to fight sin and win without losing. Please help me to become a good soldier of God.