Day 50 · Part 4: The Wilderness
The Count (1 of 2)
In the Story
In context
Numbers opens “on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt” (Numbers 1:1), one month after the tabernacle was set up (Exodus 40:17). Israel is still camped in the wilderness of Sinai. The book’s English name comes from its two counts of the people, here and in chapter 26.
This count was for war: every male twenty years old and up, “all who are able to go out to war,” tribe by tribe and family by family, with a leader from each tribe to help (Numbers 1:2–16). The total came to 603,550 (Numbers 1:46). Joseph’s descendants made two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh, whom Jacob had claimed as his own (Genesis 48:5). The Levites weren’t counted with the others: their work was to carry the tabernacle, set it up and guard it (Numbers 1:47–53).
Chapter 2 lays out the camp: the Tent of Meeting in the middle, the Levites around it, and three tribes on each side under their flags. Judah’s camp was on the east, toward the sunrise, and on the march it set out first (Numbers 2:2–9, 17).
But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.
Isaiah 43:1–2 · Numbers 1 counts Israel “according to the number of the names, one by one”; in Isaiah the Lord tells Israel, “I have called you by your name.”
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Numbers 1
Loading…
Numbers 2
Loading…
A hymn for today
Standing on the Promises · words by R. Kelso Carter
- Standing on the promises of Christ my King,Through eternal ages let His praises ring;Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises that cannot fail,When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,By the living Word of God I shall prevail,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I now can seePerfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I cannot fall,List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call,Resting in my Savior as my all in all,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.