Numbers 27 has a lot less in-your-face action than we've seen in previous chapters, but there is a lot that's going on. Okay, well maybe not a lot, but a pretty big miracle if you really stop and think about what you're reading.
God commands another census to be taken of the people of Israel. Now, one commentary I read said that at this point, we're about 38 years into the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. So, they've got about two to go, but they're much closer on the timeline to entering into the Promised Land. God commands that a census be taken of all the men of all the tribes who are able to go to war, from the age of 20 on up. Keeping in mind that both of the censuses were taken of "fighting men" only, look at these totals. The first census totaled 603,550 men of fighting age. The second totaled 601,730. Those numbers aren't too far apart, are they? Also keep in mind, these are only men from 20 on up, and only those physically able to go to war. That excludes, then, anyone under 20, any women, any crippled men, or any too old to fight.
Now, think about this. God had decreed that none of the old generation would be allowed to enter the Promised Land. So, only Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, were included in both of the censuses. Yet, God preserved the population of Israel. Can you imagine? The desert is a harsh place to make a home. Numerous plagues and disasters had swept through the nation. That's aside from the normal illnesses, death by critter, etc. Yet they were about to enter the Promised Land with almost the same size host as when they left Egypt. That's miracle!
Lord, I thank You for those times when You work behind the scenes in ways that we can't readily see. You are so good, maybe especially in those times, because we're less grateful and much less patient when we can't see Your hand moving in our lives. But You are always there! And You are always orchestrating the events of our lives for Your glory and our good. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
God commands another census to be taken of the people of Israel. Now, one commentary I read said that at this point, we're about 38 years into the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. So, they've got about two to go, but they're much closer on the timeline to entering into the Promised Land. God commands that a census be taken of all the men of all the tribes who are able to go to war, from the age of 20 on up. Keeping in mind that both of the censuses were taken of "fighting men" only, look at these totals. The first census totaled 603,550 men of fighting age. The second totaled 601,730. Those numbers aren't too far apart, are they? Also keep in mind, these are only men from 20 on up, and only those physically able to go to war. That excludes, then, anyone under 20, any women, any crippled men, or any too old to fight.
Now, think about this. God had decreed that none of the old generation would be allowed to enter the Promised Land. So, only Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, were included in both of the censuses. Yet, God preserved the population of Israel. Can you imagine? The desert is a harsh place to make a home. Numerous plagues and disasters had swept through the nation. That's aside from the normal illnesses, death by critter, etc. Yet they were about to enter the Promised Land with almost the same size host as when they left Egypt. That's miracle!
Lord, I thank You for those times when You work behind the scenes in ways that we can't readily see. You are so good, maybe especially in those times, because we're less grateful and much less patient when we can't see Your hand moving in our lives. But You are always there! And You are always orchestrating the events of our lives for Your glory and our good. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
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