The first ten chapters of the book of Numbers are filled with population statistics and counting. No wonder the Greek and Latin translations named this book as ‘Numbers’. When a nation wants to plan for its citizens, it conducts a census to ensure that it has all the working details it needs for proper planning and management.
In the book of Numbers, we have people who have been camping at Mt. Sinai for almost a year. It is now time to move but before they move, they need to organize ourselves in a better way. This organization entails preparing themselves fundamentally for two things:
- The challenges of the journey and
- The land they are heading to.
The census conducted is not about figures but concerned with WHO WE ARE and for that matter, in the book of Numbers we have four kinds of Censuses and these are:
- First, we count the males that are 20 years and above who are able to fight in a war: Numbers 1:3
- Secondly, we conduct a census of Levites and we count from those who are 1 month old upward: Numbers 3:15
- Thirdly, a general national census specifically for firstborns and we count from one month old upward: Numbers 3: 40
- Fourth, we take a census of the ministerial and tabernacle servants census and the age is from 25 to 50 years Numbers 4:2,34-45; 8:23-26.
The numbers in the book of Numbers do not matter as those who are numbered. God wants numbers for war. It is important to understand that even though they are under the care and supervision of the almighty God, they should prepare for war.
This census communicates to you and myself that in this world all that we can do is to prepare for war. God has never promised us peace and tranquility as long as we are in this fallen wilderness-like world. Jesus said:
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).
Again, Jesus told us his belevers that:
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (Mathew 10:34).
Apostle Paul reminded us that:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
It doesn’t matter whether you want to fight or not, some forces will fight you anyway, if you don’t fight back they will abuse and rob you of everything valuable. So take stock now and prepare for a fight in Jesus name. one thing is for sure God is with us in all our battles and wars as well.
God bless, I wont discuss the remaining three censuses but just know that there is power in numbers, not numerically but figuratively. We don’t just count, we first observe the magnitude of the problem and then we take stock in relation to what we are going to counter.
God bless you, I invoke Truth, Reason and Faith
Pr. ITM White
The Gospel Hawker
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 