Numbers 26 Commentary
The second census is taken of men 20 years and more. This is a new generation. None of the men numbered in the first census are alive at this moment. A new generation is ready to move into Canaan.
At the first count, Simeon numbered 59,300. At the second count, Simeon numbers 22,200. The figures tell us a story of diminished fortunes for the tribe. We can reflect on Simeon’s blessing in Genesis Chapter 49 and see how it has played out right before our eyes.
Chapter 26 is about a census, but more importantly, it gives us some prophetic reflection on key moments in the nation’s history. Simeon’s Diminished population represents the nation’s diminished numbers. It is an invitation to look at key moments that account for these poor figures. We are far from Abraham’s blessing of increase.
The first line begins by referencing the latest rebellion. Korah together with Abiram and Dathan have been singled out for a rebellion that further reduced Israel’s numbers. Nadab and Abihu were among the casualties.
603,550 (Chapter 1) at the start and 601,730 nearly after 40 years is not a good sign at all. It’s like the LORD stopped time. Nearly the same number enters Canaan. The LORD has a way to bring us back to the same point!
The instruction to allocate land by lot is to ensure fairness and maintain order. But it was actually a complex process as we see a seeding process where large portions are given to larger tribes. We now understand why Simeon got what we can call portions of land within Judah because the tribe was very small by this time.
God keeps His promise to the patriarchs. Israel returns to the Promised Land. The river still flows but the water we see today isn’t the same.
The LORD God looks at His people as a nation – one unit. Zoom out further and the LORD looks at the nations or even at His entire creation as one unit. But the LORD God also zooms in and we have individuals.
Nadab, Abihu, Korah, Abiram, and Dathan suffer the consequences of their decisions as individuals. Joshua and Caleb have their own class. These individuals prove the point that the LORD God does have an interest in the details. What you do or don’t do counts.
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