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Contents
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Numbers 1:1 - 16
From today onwards, we will meditate on Numbers, the fourth book in the Pentateuch. Some of you reading this book have a talk about population count from Chapter 1, and there are many things related to numbers, so some people feel distant. But the focus of this book is not census or statistics. The Hebrew name is also “in the wilderness,” which is the fifth word in 1:1. As the name “In the Wilderness” suggests, the focus of this book is on what happened in the wilderness and what regulations were enacted in the wilderness.
Through this book, we can learn about the various events that the Israelites experienced from the wilderness of Sinai to the land of Moab, east of the Jordan. This book records the failure of the people of Israel, including Moses and Aaron, and the suffering and encouragement that resulted. Above all else, this book records the love and patience of God as opposed to the weak and foolish man. Therefore, Numbers is not a mere history book, but a text of spiritual instruction.
Numbers was written on February 1, the second year after the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, as verse 1 of the text reveals. At this time, since the tabernacle was erected on January 1, the 2nd year of the Exodus, one month had passed since the tabernacle was built (Exodus 40:17).
Also, it was given after the Leviticus regulations given in January of the 2nd year of the Exodus. The people left Mt. Sinai on February 20, 2 years after 20 days had passed since the words of Numbers began to be preached. At that time, 9 months and 5 days had passed since they arrived at Mt. Sinai.
Just before God set the Israelites off Mount Sinai, God began to give them the words of Numbers, and the first word was to “count”. Of all the men of the congregation of the children of Israel, who are 20 years of age or older who can go to war, number them by army.
Then why did God command a census that required a lot of time and effort? We can think of three reasons for this.
■ First, God wanted to establish His sovereignty.
When a group goes abroad, they sometimes identify the number of people. Those who do not belong to that group at that time do not agree with the numbering nor do they count. To be counted is to prove that he belongs to the group and at the same time acknowledge that he will comply with the requirements of the group.
The same goes for the census. To order a census and to be counted by that person means that those who are counted are under the sovereignty of the person who ordered the census. It also means that we will acknowledge the sovereignty of the person who ordered the investigation and obey their words.
Therefore, to be numbered according to God's command is proof that God is the ruler of Israel, and that Israel is under His sovereignty.
Why would God have to establish His sovereignty over the children of Israel through a census? Because God wanted Israel to be his own people. That is why Israel was God's greatest concern. In this way, I hope that you too believe that God cares the most.
■ Second, God expressed His love through the census.
Jesus said in Luke 15:4, “Which of you, when he has a hundred sheep, loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the field and go looking for the lost one?” How do you know if one sheep out of a hundred is missing? The shepherd, who loves the sheep so much, often counts the sheep to see if they are all well, so he realizes that one sheep is missing.
Psalm 80:1 says, “Give ear, you shepherd of Israel, who lead Joseph like a flock; let the light shine, you who sit among the cherubim.” The relationship between God and Israel is compared to that of a shepherd and sheep.
The shepherd is a loving shepherd who loves his sheep so much that he leads them to green pastures and calm waters, and protects them by throwing himself away from bears and lions and evil beasts.
We can find this kind of shepherd from God who numbered the Israelites in the wilderness. Of course, I believe that God will count me and you today, and protect and guide us as His people.
■ Third, God allowed us to see the fulfilled covenant and the covenant to be fulfilled through the census.
We said earlier that the census had started before we left Mt. Departing from Mount Sinai means crossing the wilderness in earnest and entering Canaan.
Canaan is one of the two covenants God made with Abraham. Even though the road is rough and the people who live there are great, God will fulfill the covenant.
It is through the fact that one of the two covenants has already been fulfilled. God promised Abraham that he would make his descendants into a great nation, and he confirmed it through a census. They will confirm through their investigation that the 70 people who entered Egypt have now made up a large nation of over 600,000 men 430 years later. Through this, we will be sure that the covenant for entering Canaan will also be fulfilled.
God will faithfully fulfill the covenant he has made with us. I hope that you will look ahead to the fulfillment with the eyes of faith. - Amen -