Numbers +

Today's reading: Numbers 1-2, Romans 1, Psalm 78

Numbers is just that, a book of census and numbers of people the Lord wanted Moses to take at this point in Israel's journey. The Israelites are still at Mt. Sinai, have received the Law and the Tabernacle has been erected. Now the Lord wants Moses to count and present an organized approach to their movements as a nation.

In Chapter 1 we have a numbering of the Captains of each tribe (12 men are named), the the second numbering is of all those who are 20 years old and above who can go to war, listed by their tribes. They number 603,550.

Please notice in 1:49 and again in 2:33 the Levites are not numbered with everyone else, by specific command. They will be numbered later.

In Chapter 2 we have the marching arrangement of the people. Note: with 603,550 men of war, we add the women, then those younger, etc... and we easily have a nation of at least 2 million. For them all to set out to move without some order, would mean great confusion. We know our God is not daunted by numbers, but He puts in place an organized approach for movement that is wonderful.

Four tribal banners are used. Those banners are the images of the Lion, Ox, Man and Eagle. You will remember these are the faces of the creatures that surround the Throne of God in Ezekiel 1 and in Revelation 4. Under each banner three tribes camp. To the East of the Tabernacle is the tribe of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. To the South is Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. To the west is Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin, and to the North is Dan, Asher and Naphtali. The Levites take care of the Tabernacle itself and they march with the Tabernacle pieces after the tribes on the South march out.

So we can immediately see how very important these chapters are. They share with us the heart of the Father for the care of His people. He never leaves His people to wander about without the guidelines of that walk being outlined clearly. He truly is always working with the hearts of His people. What an awesome Father we have!

Romans 1 is a marvelous chapter. In 1:5 we find the phrase, "...for obedience to faith amount all nations." Again in 16:26 we have the same phrase. To me this sets the theme of the book. Paul's commission was to bring about this obedience into faith of all the nations. The Holy Spirit will begin to unfold for us this faith into obedience (lit.) as we progress through the book.

The proclamation of verses 16-17 is the life statement and covering for all of us. "I am not ashamed..." It would be good to memorize these two verses if you have not already done so.

Verses 18-32 then set out the nature of the natural, god-less person of the world. When we read, we see our world. Tomorrow in Chapter 2, the religious Jewish people of Paul's day are talked about, and we will find ourselves in one of these groups, but that is for tomorrow.

Psalm 78 is a marvelous history of Israel from God's point of view. Allow the Lord to flow over your heart in love and provision as you read.

Tomorrow's reading: Numbers 3-4, Romans 2, Psalm 79.