Numbers 26:1-65
Q.1. Why did God command Moses to undertake this census? What important truths did it document for the nation? – (Num.26:1-5, 63-65 c.f. 27:18)
Moses had been previously commanded by God to take a census of all the men above twenty who were able to go to war (c.f. Num.1:1-3). There had been six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty who had come out from Egypt (c.f. Num.2:32). This time the Israelites numbered slightly less, namely six hundred and one thousand, seven hundred and thirty fighting men (Num.26:51). What had changed? Moses recorded – 64 But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” Not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun (Num.26:64-65). God had kept His promise of judgment on the unbelieving people (Num.14:26-35). The census revealed that there had been no growth in the nation’s army in forty years. It recorded that God delivers on His promises both for good and for bad. It served as an important warning to trust and obey the Lord.
Q.2. What was the point of the references to Dathan and Abiram, and also Korah? – (Num.26:7-11)
These leaders had contended against Moses and had led a rebellion against God and His leader. They had paid the ultimate price when – the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning (Num.26:10 c.f. Num.16:1-3, 25-35). It is recorded specifically that their punishment served as a warning. However, we also observe the grace of God in action, for the descendants of Korah did not die (Num.26:11). The record shows that the remaining family members repented and were preserved God.
Q.3. How was the Promised Land to be apportioned to the tribes of Israel? Why? – (Num.26:51-56)
The tribes of Simeon, Ephraim, and Naphtali had substantially diminished while Issachar, Manasseh, Benjamin, and Asher had increased. As a result, the inheritance in the Promised Land was re-apportioned – 54 To the larger group you shall increase their inheritance, and to the smaller group you shall diminish their inheritance; each shall be given their inheritance according to those who were numbered of them. 55 But the land shall be divided by lot … (Num.26:54-55). More arable land was needed for the larger, more numerous tribes.
Q.4. Why were the descendants of Levi not numbered amongst the Israelites? Why are Nadab and Abihu mentioned? – (Num.26:57-62)
The descendants of Levi were documented, with a special warning through the tragic deaths of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu – when they offered strange fire before the Lord (Num.26:61 c.f. Lev.10:1-3). This was another serious reminder that God’s people were to obey Him carefully. God had chosen the tribe of Levi to serve in the Tabernacle – Those who were numbered of them were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward, for they were not numbered among the sons of Israel since no inheritance was given to them among the sons of Israel (Num.26:62). They were not counted as part of Israel’s army.