Numbers 1 Commentary
Location: Foot of Mount Sinai. Time: First day of the second month, of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt.
The LORD God speaks to Moses and orders him to conduct a detailed census of the community. Members of God’s community must be counted one by one and listed by name.
We possibly understand why in some sections of the holy script we find long lists of genealogies. Numbers are important to God, but that is just statistics. There is more to it. The Message translation puts it this way: “…if each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled ‘Chosen of God,’ they’d be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus.” Romans 9 verses 20 to 33.
We also want to find out why the LORD God calls for a census. For sure, it isn’t like the LORD God needs to know the numbers! It is Moses who needs the figures and not God!
It is also interesting that the LORD God wants Moses to conduct the actual census. He can simply supply figures; He knows them already! It will definitely be easier, faster, and definitely accurate!
Could there be things that the LORD God wants us to do for our benefit? We could talk about the sciences and technology. The LORD God may want you to know the art of business and the value of customers, not because the LORD doesn’t have any idea about ‘earthy’ matters. It is for our benefit. That is how He runs the world!
Moses would need the figures to plan his military campaigns. Our own economic battles require planning and much more information about our strengths and capacities. Numbers communicate Israel’s strength. The figures show organization and location of resources. For example, if you called Judah to arms, you knew exactly what strength you were drawing out.
This book is about 14 days becoming 40 years! What a trip! It is about a population of 600,000 at the start and the same 600,000 after 40 years. A farmer who starts with two cattle and still has two animals after 40 years should sit down and explain.
The book, appropriately named Numbers, must explain these numbers. Stagnation is a scandal, but forget it. The fact that we still have men marching into Canaan at the end of 40 years is the greatest miracle in itself. Mortals can be problematic! This book reveals it all!
Even here, we can see the generosity of the LORD in giving Moses a list of helpers. This job is truly important! Not everyone is listed name by name but only men aged 20 or more—capable of military service. This chapter is preparing us for a grand entry into Canaan to possess the land that the LORD God gave Abraham.
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