Numbers 26 - 27 (6th Mar) - Weiling

Numbers 26, 27

Coming Full Circle – The Second Census
In chapter 26, it feels as if everything had gone full circle. It seems so familiar. Once again, the Lord asked Moses to take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families as what He had done in chapter 1. In fact, the name of the book (Numbers) was derived from the two numberings or countings of the Israelites during their 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. Surely it must be significant!

So why did God ask Moses to count them?

Like what pastor said on Feb 23, those involved in the military had to be counted to know their strength. The census took place as God was going to lead them into the Promised Land, Canaan. But after the first census, the Israelites did not enter into Canaan. They murmured and complained, “Why bring us out to suffer? We were better off in Egypt.” They rebelled and refused to go into Canaan because of the reports they heard and wanted to stone Moses and Aaron (Num 14: 10). They were stubborn, disobedient and ungrateful. As a result, it was 38 years of wandering in the wilderness, of long detours. In fact, they lived out their lives in the desert and did not live to enter into the Promised Land. Only their children would enjoy the fulfillment of the promise that had originally been theirs. “For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”

Even Moses and Aaron did not enter into the Promised Land because they disobeyed God and did not trust Him enough honour Him as holy (They struck the rock twice for water instead of speaking to it.)

But here it was again – a second chance. God still wanted to bless them and still wanted to give them what He promised. Also, it meant that the wanderings in the wilderness have come to an end. God also chose Joshua, “in whom is the Spirit” to succeed Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land. (God led Moses to appoint Joshua in front of the congregation so that they would know he is the one chosen by God.) And with the appointment of new leader, it signified a new beginning, a new season. A season of conquest, of taking and possessing what God had promised – their inheritance.

Inheritance

The inheritance was distributed based on the number of names. "Take a census of the men twenty years old or more…”, “… who are able to serve in the army of Israel.” (Num 26: 2, 4) And so, it seems that the inheritance was only given to men above twenty who are able to fight. This means that it is probable that there are battles and wars coming up. Why else do you need people who are able to serve in the “army of Israel”? It seems fair enough that you give a share of inheritance to those who fight, those who are warriors.

But what about the ladies?

Is God “heavy-male-light-female”? :p It may appear a little unfair at first but notice that in Num 26: 2, the census was to be taken of the community by “families”. The names of the men counted represented their families. The inheritance was for the family. To substantiate this point, let’s look at Zelophehad’s daughters (Num 27: 1- 11). They were unable to claim any inheritance because they did not have any brothers and their father had passed away. There was no man to represent their family. But this is not what God wants. He does not want these ladies or their family to miss out on the inheritance. Not only did tell God Moses to give Zelophedad’s daughters their share of the inheritance, He told Moses to list it as a legal requirement (Num 27: 11).

How about the Levites?

In Num 26:62, it was specifically written, “…they were not counted along with the other Israelites because they received no inheritance among them.” The Levites are the ones who do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. It is a lasting ordinance passed on from generation to generation. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. (Num 18: 23) They are really set apart for God in every sense. But God bless them and provide for them in giving them all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. (Num 18: 21) Also, God said to them “I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.” (Num 18: 20) Isn’t that awesome? They don’t receive any inheritance like the rest of the Israelites, but God Himself is their inheritance. It’s really like the lines to a Christian hymn “He is my Everything, He is my all”. Often, we know it in our head and say it with our mouth but to truly know it in every sense and in our heart that: God alone is enough. That is awesome.