|
Census, Stimulus & Other Wilderness Connections
|
If you remember from last week’s reading of Numbers 25, it mentioned a plague among the people which came to an end. Now in Numbers 26, the Lord told Moses to take a census after the plague and figure out who is still there. We can relate to this as we navigate through a plague of our own. We are also checking on people and asking how they are doing. Yet for Moses and the Israelites there was another purpose—to help divide the land.
At first glance this chapter is hard to read, and we might even wonder why read it at all. This is one of those chapters where it’s better to do your research first, in order to understand the meaning of what’s being talked about. Let’s do that by recounting some previous details to help clear up areas that may be confusing to us.
Numbers 26:9-10:
9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning.
This section is referring back to the rebellion in Numbers 16. During the rebellion the ground opened up and swallowed 250 people. You can also look back at the Seeking like Silver on this chapter as well.
Numbers 26:63-65:
63 These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
This section refers back to the rebellion in Numbers 14. As a result of this rebellion, the people are told they are no longer allowed to enter the promised land, except Caleb. The very act of doing the census is helping them recount these events. We can see through these events, and others, that when God says something, He does it.
What does this have to do with our life?
Well, let’s first ask the question of what it meant for them. It meant that God was going to provide what He said. For some it was a promise of death, but for others it was a promise of inheritance.
In some ways it is as simple as that. The details we see in chapter 26 is God taking an inventory of everyone, even the ones destined for death. Then we see God providing for those coming out of the wilderness.
Now we can ask how this applies to our lives.
A few weeks ago, we asked what we can learn from Jesus in the wilderness. We saw that Jesus was never shocked by what came at Him but was always prepared with God’s Word to help Him. When we use God’s Word, it can help us too, and change the way we see things. Sometimes, just changing a word to a more Biblical term can help. For example, plague versus pandemic. If I use the term “plague” I am reminded that these events also happened in the Bible, and people died as a result. That can be encouraging in that this is not something new that we are suffering, and God still saw His people through. Yet, with the advancement of the medical world we expect or assume that that these issues would no longer pose a problem, and use the term “pandemic” which can inadvertently place blame for that community not anticipating these issues or having answers. The benefit of hindsight is that we can see the purposes of Biblical plagues and pull away from blaming others. A similar example is with terms “census” or “inheritance” versus “stimulus.” In the Bible we see how God counted His people and then He provided for them. The term “stimulus” may stir many opinions on how to restimulate the economy, but when we see it as God counting and providing, we are less likely to ask questions about what this will do to the future generations or the price of milk.
Now with this background, when you read Numbers 26 you can see how after the plague/pandemic God had to count the people. He counted every single person. And then God provided for every single person. You will also see that God fulfilled His Word, even if that meant they died. When God says something, He does it, so what Jesus says to you He will also do. He says you are loved and forgiven; He provides that for you. Similar to the people in the wilderness, we can get frustrated wanting that provision to come in our time and in our way, but instead it is in His time and His way. Jesus will provide, and He has provided the greatest gift ever in His love and forgiveness.
Read Numbers 26.
Jesus, forgive us when we tell You how to provide for us in the wilderness. Let us be patient, trusting Your Word. Jesus, we see that You count every single one of us, and You died for every single one of us. Thank you for Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Even in this uncertain wilderness, with a plague in our midst, let us find peace and rest in You! Amen!
God’s Peace,
PW
At first glance this chapter is hard to read, and we might even wonder why read it at all. This is one of those chapters where it’s better to do your research first, in order to understand the meaning of what’s being talked about. Let’s do that by recounting some previous details to help clear up areas that may be confusing to us.
Numbers 26:9-10:
9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning.
This section is referring back to the rebellion in Numbers 16. During the rebellion the ground opened up and swallowed 250 people. You can also look back at the Seeking like Silver on this chapter as well.
Numbers 26:63-65:
63 These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
This section refers back to the rebellion in Numbers 14. As a result of this rebellion, the people are told they are no longer allowed to enter the promised land, except Caleb. The very act of doing the census is helping them recount these events. We can see through these events, and others, that when God says something, He does it.
What does this have to do with our life?
Well, let’s first ask the question of what it meant for them. It meant that God was going to provide what He said. For some it was a promise of death, but for others it was a promise of inheritance.
In some ways it is as simple as that. The details we see in chapter 26 is God taking an inventory of everyone, even the ones destined for death. Then we see God providing for those coming out of the wilderness.
Now we can ask how this applies to our lives.
A few weeks ago, we asked what we can learn from Jesus in the wilderness. We saw that Jesus was never shocked by what came at Him but was always prepared with God’s Word to help Him. When we use God’s Word, it can help us too, and change the way we see things. Sometimes, just changing a word to a more Biblical term can help. For example, plague versus pandemic. If I use the term “plague” I am reminded that these events also happened in the Bible, and people died as a result. That can be encouraging in that this is not something new that we are suffering, and God still saw His people through. Yet, with the advancement of the medical world we expect or assume that that these issues would no longer pose a problem, and use the term “pandemic” which can inadvertently place blame for that community not anticipating these issues or having answers. The benefit of hindsight is that we can see the purposes of Biblical plagues and pull away from blaming others. A similar example is with terms “census” or “inheritance” versus “stimulus.” In the Bible we see how God counted His people and then He provided for them. The term “stimulus” may stir many opinions on how to restimulate the economy, but when we see it as God counting and providing, we are less likely to ask questions about what this will do to the future generations or the price of milk.
Now with this background, when you read Numbers 26 you can see how after the plague/pandemic God had to count the people. He counted every single person. And then God provided for every single person. You will also see that God fulfilled His Word, even if that meant they died. When God says something, He does it, so what Jesus says to you He will also do. He says you are loved and forgiven; He provides that for you. Similar to the people in the wilderness, we can get frustrated wanting that provision to come in our time and in our way, but instead it is in His time and His way. Jesus will provide, and He has provided the greatest gift ever in His love and forgiveness.
Read Numbers 26.
Jesus, forgive us when we tell You how to provide for us in the wilderness. Let us be patient, trusting Your Word. Jesus, we see that You count every single one of us, and You died for every single one of us. Thank you for Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Even in this uncertain wilderness, with a plague in our midst, let us find peace and rest in You! Amen!
God’s Peace,
PW
