The Census
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies." (v.1-3)
Our study opens with the Lord telling Moses to take a census. The people were numbered to: 1) show God's faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Jacob, 2) that they might be the better trained for the wars and conquest of Canaan, and 3) to ascertain their families for the division of the land.
Moses served then, as we do now, a God of order, structure and power. Let every believer be prepared to withstand not only the enemy at the gates, but of the soul as well - even when all seems to be at peace. Be ready!
The Truth
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)
