Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him. Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. (Num. 26:2, 53-55)
The LORD counted the children of Israel as a new generation was now approaching the Promised Land and the work which God had for them to do. The generation which rebelled after spying out the land was gone and now this generation would soon begin the task of conquering Canaan at the hand of the LORD. The numbering was not to show how mighty Israel was, for they were not a large kingdom nor a mighty people, but that God might show Himself strong on behalf of His people as they trusted in His strength and not their own. The counting was also that they might know the census and divide the land by tribes and families based on the population of the children of Israel.
Numbers are not for our glory but for God’s. God already knows who are His and how many we are, but on occasion has us count numbers, not that we can say what we have done, but that we can glorify God in what He has done in and for us. Those who are His know that all we accomplish for God is to be by His direction and for His glory. We often forget and look to ourselves and what we have done, but our goal should be to praise and honour God for all He has done in and through us to add to His church those who repent of their sins and surrender to Him on His terms. God wants all to repent and be born again by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and wants those who are to be about His Kingdom work. Any counting of numbers which we do should be to recognize the work of God through His church to accomplish His purposes and glorify Him.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet