"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 text begins with the phrase, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses." This phrase is repeated more than 150 times and more than 20 different ways in the book of Numbers. The book itself is all about God’s people in the Wilderness – how they got there, how God dealt with them in it, and how He brought them out of it on their way to the Promised Land. In Hebrew this book is titled, "In the Wilderness" instead of Numbers.
As Moses met with the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting (v.1), God commanded him to take a census – but counting only all who are able to go to war in Israel. God wanted the count made by their families because the strength of Israel was determined by looking at the strength of individual families. The men for war were counted as those from twenty years old and older, showing that it takes some amount of time and maturity to be able to fight well. It is also interesting that there is no upper age limit declared, though one may be implied (whoever is able).
This was a military census to see who could fight for Israel in taking the Promised Land. This was the first step in taking the Promised Land – an inventory to understand the resources they had to conquer the Promised Land. The taking of this census would have a great effect on the nation. As the count was made, every family knew preparations were being made for war.
The order to count the potential soldiers was not meant to imply that Israel would take the land because of superior forces, or merely because of the bravery of these men. They would receive the Promised Land by the hand of God. Nevertheless, they still had to fight and know what they had available to them going into battle. The summary of the twelve tribes numbered 603,550 potential soldiers in Israel able to go to war.
Based on having 603,550 available soldiers, some estimated the total population of Israel at this time to be between two million and two-and-a-half million people, counting women, children, and others unable to fight.
The last line of chapter states, "Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did," is interesting in light of how they would eventually rebel. Yet, counting, or taking inventory, is an essential step in organization and moving forward. In preparing to enter the Promised Land Israel had to be organized, and it seems as though they realized this. God is an organized God and moves through organization, even when that organization is not easily seen. Therefore, it was essential that Israel take inventory and count how many men were ready to fight.
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)
