Introduction

The book of Numbers was given this title, “because of the numbers of the children of Israel, so often mentioned in it,” as God kept His promise to Abraham, “that his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky.” The title “also relates to two censuses, one at Mount Sinai, the other in the plains of Moab, thirty-nine years later.” A good summary of much of Numbers is found “in a few words in Psalm 95:10: Forty years long was I grieved with this generation.”

Numbers 1

v1-16: The people of Israel are to be numbered. “Only the males were to be numbered, and only those who were able to go to war.” A record was made not only of “how many there were and what their names were, but also from which tribe and family or clan, and even from which particular house every person came.” Why was this census taken? Firstly, “to prove the fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham” that he would have many descendants. As the Israelites saw how God had kept this promise, it “encouraged them to hope that the other promise of the land of Canaan as an inheritance would also be fulfilled.” Next, to show God’s care of Israel, as Shepherd, who “numbers his flock.” Finally, “to put a difference between the truly born Israelites and the many other people who were among them,” which is a reminder that the Lord knows who are His.

v17-43: God’s instructions to take a census began immediately. It is good “when any work is to be done for God… to set about it quickly, while the sense of duty remains strong and urgent.” Of all the tribes, Judah was the most numerous of them all, “because the Messiah, the Ruler, was to descend from him, but because that was something far off, God in many ways honoured that tribe in the meantime, particularly by increasing its numbers.” With Judah leading “the way through the desert,” it “was given greater strength than any other tribe.”

v44-46: In total there were 603.550 fighting men. With woman and children included, here was a vast number of people whom God supplied with manna from heaven “every day as they depend on him.” Like Israel, the church, which had small beginnings will become a great multitude. But within 40 years all, except two would have died “because of the sins of unbelief and grumbling” in the desert.

v47-54: The tribe of Levi is distinguished from the rest of the tribes. They were to take care of the tabernacle and everything that belonged to it, taking it down when Israel moved, and setting it up again at the appointed place. “When the people rested, the Levites were to encamp round the tabernacle, that they might be near their work and stay near what was their responsibility, always being readily available and guarding the tabernacle to keep it from being plundered or desecrated.” It is important that great care is taken to prevent sin.

Numbers 2

v1-2: The tribes “were to set up camp around the tabernacle, which was to be in the middle of them,” and “was a sign of God’s gracious presence with them.” God is to be at the centre of our lives individually and as a local church.

v3-34: God decides the particular arrangement of the tribes, “into four divisions, three tribes in a division, one of which was to lead the other two.” When others are promoted by God above us, it can cause envy, grumbling, and discontent. We, however, ought to be satisfied with what he has done if “it appears to be the will of God.” Israel “put themselves in the positions assigned them, without arguing and grumbling, and because they were secure in this, the arrangement seemed good and beautiful.” It is a joy when the church is “arranged in an orderly way according to” the model Scripture gives.