Tag Archive | Census

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 65

Mar6
Day 65.  Reading Numbers 26-27. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 26.

God called Moses to count the people again after all those years of discipline in the wilderness. He was to take a census of all the men 20 years and older who could go to war. So Moses and High Priest Eleazar got to work. How did it compare with the list at the beginning of Numbers? Here’s how.

  • Two Census    OLD        NEW
  1. Reuben – – – 46,500 – – 43,730
  2. Simeon – – – 59,300 – – 22,200
  3. Gad – – – – –  45,650 – – 40,500
  4. Judah – – – – 74,600 – – 76,500 
  5. Issachar – – -54,400 – – 64,300
  6. Zebulun – – -57,400 – – 60,500
  7. Ephraim – –  40,500 – – 32,500
  8. Manasseh –  32,200 – – 52,700
  9. Benjamin – – 35,400 – – 45,600
  10. Dan – – – – –  62,700 – – 64,400
  11. Asher – – – –  41,500 – – 53,400
  12. Naphtali –  – 53,400 – – 45,400
  • TOTAL – – –  603,550 – 601,730  (1,870 fewer)
  • Levites, 1 month or older – 22,000 – 23,000  (1,000 more)

These were the people of Israel who were listed in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among them, there was NOT ONE of those listed at Sinai, for the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left except Caleb and Joshua.

Numbers 27.

As the people were preparing to enter the Promised Land, this census would also determine the size of the plots of land they would inherit. Larger tribes, like Judah, would inherit larger parcels, whereas smaller tribes, like Simeon, would inherit smaller portions. (Simeon’s people actually ended up merging into Judah.)

Then, an unusual situation arose. Some daughters from Manasseh came to Moses with a question. “In our father’s clan there are no sons. Does that mean his line gets no inheritance in the Land?  Can WE replace the sons and inherit?

Moses went to God with the question. 

The LORD gave Moses a surprising and righteous answer. “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”

Furthermore, the LORD told Moses to make that LAW for future generations where sons were unavailable.

THEN THE WORDS OF GOD THAT MOSES WAS DREADING. 

“Go up into this mountain and see the land I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall die as your brother Aaron….because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, FAILING TO UPHOLD ME AS HOLY BEFORE THEIR EYES at the waters.”

Not in this passage, but later, Moses will ask God for a reprieve. NOW, however, he is concerned that someone is chosen to lead Israel after he’s gone. 

The LORD agreed and told him to “take Joshua the son of Noon (that’s how it’s pronounced), a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight, that the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.”  Eleazar, also in the presence of the congregation, was to use the Urim before the LORD to solidify the appointment and then lay his hands on him to commission him as leader after Moses.

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Things are winding down for Moses. Soon, his 40-year job will be finished, and he can retire to Heaven. We still need to read through 9 chapters in Numbers and Deuteronomy, the SECOND review of the law, some new and old happenings before the death, and the final eulogy for Moses, and Joshua’s taking over. (Sigh.)

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 54 & 55

Feb24

Days 54 & 55.  Reading Numbers 1 – 2 and Numbers 3 – 4 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 1.

NUMBERS is the name of the book, and NUMBERS is the first thing in it that the LORD requires of Moses. He was instructed to count all the men, age 20 and upward from each tribe in all Israel who were able to go to war. It was a “draft tally” so to speak.  When the numbers are listed, it is extraordinary! There was a total of 603,550 men fit for war.  The largest tribe was Judah with 74,600 war-ready men.  WOW.

Twelve tribes are listed by their totals, including Ephraim and Manasseh (who are really two halves of the tribe of Joseph). Levi is excluded because that tribe was appointed by God to care for the tabernacle, all its furnishings, and all that belonged to it.  They were to dismantle, carry, and set it up each time Israel moved. They were also to camp around it in protection-mode at the center of the cross-shaped camp formation the LORD would show Moses.

Numbers 2.

Next, God gave Moses MORE numbers and the placement of the tribes EACH and EVERY time they camped.

The Tabernacle first was set up so the gate of the courtyard, and the door to the Tabernacle tent was facing East.  (This made the people stand and worship the LORD with their backs to the rising sun.  No temptation was given to worship that bright orb, as they had in Egypt, and as it was in Canaan.)

The three families of Levites (Kohath, Gershon, and Merari) camped immediately around the Tabernacle.

On the EAST side of the camp placement (in front of the entrance to the courtyard) was leader tribe, Judah, with its standard (flag). Issachar and  Zebulun  with their individual banners, camped in their groups with Judah.  When it was time to break camp and move out, Judah and company would lead the march. 

Next on the SOUTH side, the tribe of (first born) Reuben was the leader with its standard. Simeon and Gad, with their banners camped with them.

On the WEST side (back of the Tabernacle) was the tribe of Ephraim with its standard. Manasseh and Benjamin (and banners) were with that tribe.

And the NORTH side leader tribe was Dan and it’s standard, with Asher and Naphtali and their two banners.  They were the “rear guard” of the entire camp.  

Try to picture it.  After the Levites took down the Tabernacle court and tent, and covered all the furniture, and were ready,  JUDAH’s company would lead out. Next would be REUBEN and company. The LEVITES, carrying the Tabernacle components, would follow in the middle of the line.  Then in an uncoiling spiral EPHRAIM and company would follow it.  Finally as the circle uncurled, DAN and company brought up the rear. The first group of three tribes and the last group of three tribes were the largest in numbers. 

(So, that’s what they did.  Can you imagine the scramble as the tribes and families all moved into the prescribed order, forming a cross around the Presence of God?)

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NOTE:  It’s been suggested that the tribes’ Standards and banners (Numbers 2:2) were of specific colors with embroidered images representing their individual tribes.  Sky blue with a lion for Judah, red with mandrakes for Rueben, black with an ox for Ephraim, and sapphire blue with a serpent for Dan. (the other tribes are listed as well)

Where do these suggestions come from?  Some go by the colors of the gemstones on the High Priest’s ephod, which were listed in birth order and represented each of the tribes. (Exodus 28:17-21).  The images perhaps came from Jacob’s prophecy/blessing of each of the sons from Genesis 49:2-27. 

See: Stones & Flags of the Tribes of Israel 

…

Numbers 3.

Moses now takes another census, not for battle-worthy men, but for “holy” men to serve Him. These were the Levites (Aaron & Moses were of this tribe). After their stand for the LORD when the people worshiped the golden calf, God appointed them holy (separate) for Himself. Now, their duty was to…

  • minister to Aaron, the high priest
  • keep guard over Aaron
  • guard over the priesthood (Aaron & sons)I
  • minister at the Tabernacle
  • guard all the furnishings of the Tabernacle
  • transport all the items of the Tabernacle when they moved
  • keep guard over the people of Israel.

The three families of Levites were counted as:  Gershon = 7,500, Kohath = 8,500, and Merari – 6,200.

  • The Gershonites were to camp behind the Tabernacle on the WEST side.  Their duties were to guard and care for the Tabernacle tent with its coverings, the screen for entrance, the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court with their cords.
  • The Kohathites were to camp on the SOUTH side of the Tabernacle. Their guard duty involved the Ark, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Alters, the screen to the Tabernacle itself and all utensils. involved with these. (Aaron and his oldest living son, Eleazar were to have oversight of those who guarded the Tabernacle.
  • The Merari clan were to camp on the NORTH side of the Tabernacle.  Their appointed guard duty involved the frames of the Tabernacle, the bars, pillars, basis and accessories connected with these, also the pillars around the court with their bases, pegs and cords. 
  • So, WHO was camped in front of the Tabernacle on the EAST side?  Moses, Aaron, and his sons guarded the Tabernacle itself, keeping any of the people of Israel from coming near and being put to death. 

In the census, they counted all the Levites, one-month and upward just 22,000

All the firstborn sons of Israel, that the Levites were to represent numbered 22,273.  So a 5-shekel  redemption for each of those was paid to the Levites from the congregation.

Numbers 4. 

Moses then lists specific duties of the Kohathites, all who were from 30-50 years old, able to serve. when it came time to pack up and move the camp, FIRST, Aaron and his sons were to go inside the tent, take down the veil separating the two rooms, and without looking, drape it over the Ark of the Covenant. Next over it was a layer of goatskin, then over it all, a  cloth of blue. 

For the Table of Showbread, a covering of blue was draped, then the utensils on top of the blue cloth. Next came a scarlet cloth, then a covering of goatskin.

For the Lampstand, a blue cloth was draped over it and then a layer of goatskins. Then they were to take the Lampstand with all the utensils and lay them on the carrying frame. 

For the Alter of Incense, a blue cloth, and a covering of goatskins. (They took away the ashes.) All the vessels of service were put in a cloth of blue, covered with goatskin and put in a carrying frame.

For the Bronze Altar outside, first they took away the ashes, then spread a purple cloth over it. All the utensils for the altar were put on the purple cloth, then it all was covered with goatskins.

THEN, the sons of Kohath were to carry the furnishings of the Tabernacle BY THE POLES, MAKING SURE TO NEVER TOUCH THE HOLY THINGS, lest they die.   Eleazar the oldest of Aaron’s sons, was in charge of the holy oil for the Lampstand, and the fragrant incense for the Altar of Incense, and the anointing oil.

Then the LORD said, “Let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites. And… they shall never go in and LOOK at the holy things, even for a moment, lest they die.”

The Gershonites were to carry all the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle tent, plus the hangings of the court and the cords.

The sons of Merari were to carry all the frames, bars, pillars and bases of the Tabernacle, and the bars, pillars, bases and pegs of the courtyard, along with all their equipment and their accessories.

Each one of these Levites from 30-50 years old had a task of serving or carrying.

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  • Lord, thank You that in your church today, you have given each one of us particular and specific gifts of service. Like the Kohathites who carried the Ark of the Covenant, to the Merarites who carried pegs that held up the courtyard hangings, each Levite, and each of us has a task of serving.  Lord, help me to be content, joyful, and humble in serving YOU in any way You choose.

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 143

May22

   Day 143—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading, and today, we finish our ELEVENTH Book (2 Samuel).   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 143 –  2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21 – 22, Psalm 30. (Census, judgment, alter/temple, joy)

What exactly incited King David to call for a census of all his military men?  2 Samuel seems to say that the LORD (in His anger) did, while 1 Chronicles says that Satan did. Both instances began with Israel’s sin, which is important when the consequences fall. 

Perhaps God, in His anger against Israel, allowed Satan to put the need to see how big his army was in David’s mind. Israel and her king needed to trust ONLY in the LORD  for victory in battle and not in the amount of military power that had.

Interestingly enough, Commander Joab confronted the king and said a census was NOT a good idea. But David, who didn’t like Joab anyway, ignored his advice and sent him throughout Israel with an abacus.

The tally numbers also seem to conflict. 2 Samuel‘s number could be the amount of standing army soldiers, and 1 Chronicles could also include all men of military age, whether seasoned or not. 

Also, 1 Chronicles mentioned that Joab hadn’t gotten to the tribes of Benjamin and Levi when God stopped the process.  (The Levites wouldn’t stand in battle, but only in defense of the Tabernacle and its contents.) 

In either case, the whole thing displeased God, and he sent His Seer, Gad, to David to give him three choices as to the consequences of showing this lack of trust in Him.  (And NO, this is not like having a Genie in a bottle.)  For one thing, the choices were horrific.  1) 3 years of famine, 2) 3 months of devastation by their enemies, and 3) 3 days of pestilence/plague.  What a choice!!

David chose #3 for the shorter duration and because he would rather trust himself in the hands of God than the hands of the Philistines, etc. And the Angel of the LORD killed 70,000 men in Israel. (soldiers?) But the Angel stopped when He came to Jerusalem and allowed the king to offer burnt (sin) offerings on the threshing floor of a Jebusite (People who held Jerusalem before David conquered it.) 

After seeing the Angel of the Lord, the Jebusite and his sons ran and hid, but then he fearfully approached the King and offered his threshing area, his oxen, and all the wooden implements to use in his offerings.  But David refused the offer and insisted on buying everything. “I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel – 50 shekels for the oxen and implements & 1 Chronicles – 600 for the land)

It reminds me of Abraham, who was looking for a burial place for his wife, Sarah. He did not accept the land as a gift but insisted on paying for it. Both that land and the area David bought became a permanent possession.

This purchased area would become the site of Solomon’s magnificent Temple. (Currently, the Dome of the Rock (“threshing floor”) sits on top of it.)

2 Chronicles.  This chapter flows from the previous verses about that area in Jerusalem, which would become the place where Solomon would build a House for the LORD. David was not allowed to build it because he was a man of war and bloodshed, while Solomon, who was a man of peace, could.  Meanwhile, God allowed David to make the plans and collect all the materials needed, from great stones and cedar trees to the iron nails for the doors, clamps, etc.

King David even called his young son and charged him with the task, telling him that the LORD would be with him and establish his royal throne in Israel forever. “Now my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD you God as He has spoken concerning you. Only may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when He gives you charge over Israel, you may keep the law of the LORD your God…..  Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains, I have provided for the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 30. “O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me. O LORD, you have brought up my soul from the grave.; You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.  Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”   “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 65

Mar5

    Day 65—  We have begun the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year! Praise God! I hope it’s become a GOOD habit that we will continue.

   Day 65 – Numbers 26 – 27 (A new census, Passing the baton)

Chapter 26 is maybe a bit tedious to read with all its names and numbers. But it was very important to Israel. They are now about to conquer the Promised Land, and it will be divided up among the 12 tribes according to their number; bigger areas to bigger tribes, etc.

This census was also to determine that ALL of those who rebelled against God 38 years earlier and refused to go into the Land were dead. Remember at this point, only Joshua and Caleb (in their 80’s now), and their families, plus Moses remained. (26:64-65)

In the count of tribes, SEVEN had grown in size, while FIVE had decreased. The total number of Israelites 20 years of age and older (suitable for the army) was 1,820 fewer than the tally in chapter one. The Levites, who would receive no land as inheritance since the LORD Himself was their inheritance, had increased in number by 1,000.

Chapter 27 begins with a new problem. Five women, daughters of one man, came to Moses saying that their father had no sons and had died in the wilderness.  Was their family to lose the rightful inheritance because there was no sons?  Moses inquired of the LORD, Who said that the daughters were correct and they were given their father’s inheritance.

Then a NEW LAW was written for Israel about the Land and the absence of male heirs. The inheritance would first be given to the daughters, or, if none, to the diseased man’s the brothers, and then uncles. If none of these were alive, the “nearest kinsmen” of the tribe would possess it.  (This very law will come up in the book of Ruth.)

Then, THAT time comes. God tells Moses to set apart Joshua to lead Israel in his place – because of his sin of “failing to uphold God as holy in the people’s eyes” at the waters of Meribah.  So Moses takes Joshua before the high priest, Eleazar in the presence of all the people, and lays his hands on him as a symbol of passing his authority and leadership. And so, in the eyes of God and the people, Joshua is officially commissioned to lead the people into the Land when the time came.

Moses was not to die yet, but the people had confidence that they would not be left without a leader when he did.