Numbers chapter 26 begins with a command from God to Moses and Eleazar the priest, “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by family all those twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army of Israel“. 38 years earlier in the beginning of the book of Numbers God had commanded Moses and Aaron to take a census in the desert of Sinai. In the first census, this disorganized group of former slaves was counted and given their position in proximity to the Tabernacle. Remember, the Tabernacle was in the center of the camp and each tribe was directed from that orientation. Their lives needed to be centered around God first before they could accomplish His goals. Now, in the second count, they are instructed, “The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based on the number of names. To a larger group, give a larger inheritance… each (tribe) is to receive an inheritance according to those listed.” This second count was to determine their portion of the Promised Land.
In the first census “the total number was 603,550“. In this second census, thirty-eight years later, “The total number of the men of Israel was 601,730“, almost no change in total number of the nation. Often the Bible symbolizes prosperity and blessing by increasing in number. Seemingly, this time of wandering was a time of stagnation. The Israelites were being judged for their disobedience to God in refusing to enter the Promised Land. They were simply waiting for the generation to die off. And true to His word, “Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron… except Caleb and Joshua“. It is interesting to note that while most of the tribes remained at about the same number, two tribes had dramatic changes in number. Simeon LOST 37,000 men, while Manasseh GAINED 20,000 men. This would make a huge impact on the portion of their inheritance and influence. The time of wandering was a time of preparation for the nation and the individuals.
Spiritually speaking, we were all once slaves to sin. At the moment of salvation we were set free from that bondage and given an inheritance in heaven. “For you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God” (Romans 6:22). God allows us to remain on earth to prepare us for eternity and to impact the world around us for His glory. I believe this is what the apostle means in Romans 12:1, “I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship“. I am confident that the way we honor God with our lives will impact the size of our “tribe” that will enter the promised land of eternity with us. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).