Numbers 1:1-43
Time: second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt.
Place: Desert of Sinai.
Action: Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing everyman by name. All the men in Israel 2 years old or more who are able to serve in the army. Chose the leader of each tribe.
Reuben: 46,500 Simeon: 59,300. Gad: 45,650 Judah: 74,600
Issachar: 74,600 Zebulen: 57,400 Ephraim: 40,500 Manasseh:32,200
Benjamin:35,400 Dan: 62,700 Asher: 41,500 Naphtali: 53,400
Numbers covers 38 years in the history of Israel: the period of desert wandering in the Sinai peninsula. It begins two years after the escape from Egypt. It ends on the eve of entry into Cannan.
The book might have been called 'The grumblings of a nation'.
Number is one long sad story of complaining and discontent.
Because of the people's disobedience, a distance of about 350km/220miles becomes a lifetime's journey.
Why?
God remains constant, present always with his people; and the hard lessons learned will enable Joshua to lead the new generation home.
The purpose of the census is to list all men over 20 fit for military service.
The Levites, by virtue of their other duties, were exempt.
Moses and Aaron, the civic and religious heads, are in charge of the count, assisted by one representative from each tribe. The second census, taken 38 years later, after Aaron's death, his son Eleazar takes his place.
How?
Know how many of the lamb of God I have to take care, and count for the military service for spiritual fight.
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