Numbers 26:1-65

I.    The numbering of the Israelites ready to go to war.

A.  They went by age, not by the ability to fight.

1.   The purpose and introduction to this chapter is found in verses 63-65.

2.   The purpose of again numbering Israel is that they will know that for all the judgment of God during the 40 years wandering, they have lost only 1820 in population.

3.   The only people that were hurt by the refusal to obey God were those that rebelled.  They claimed (Num. 14:3) they were speaking for their children, but they were speaking for themselves.

4.   We ought to take heed:  We will not be hurt by obeying God.  We will only be hurt if we rebel against His commands.

5.   It would be error to forget the 40 year interval when Israel didn't go forward for God.

a.   It was a time of discouragement for some and learning for others.

b.      Most of all, it was a time to look forward to receiving the promises of God.

B.   The census.

In the Plains

at Sinai of Moab

II.   Facts of the numbering.

A.  The greatest decrease in numbers is in the tribe of Simeon.

1.      This decrease is from 59,300 to 22,200.

2.   A decrease of 37,100.

3.      This is probably due to the plague of Numbers 25:9 where 24,000 died.

4.      Zimri, the Israelite whoremonger is in this tribe.

5.      Probably the whole tribe was following its leader, and God judged them for their wickedness.

6.   A whole family, Ohad, mentioned in Ex. 6:15, became extinct in the wilderness.

7.      Deut. 33 - When Moses blesses the people of Israel just before his death, the tribe of Simeon is not included.  This ought to show the curse of God upon this people.

B.   The greatest increase in numbers is in the tribe of Manasseh.

1.      This increase is from 32,200 to 52,700.

2.   An increase of 20,500

3.      Gen. 48:14 - Manasseh is Joseph's firstborn, and would expect greater physical blessing, which he received in this population growth.

4.      Ephraim is the younger of Joseph's children and receives the spiritual blessing from God.

5.   Just because there is greater numbers doesn't mean there is greater spiritual blessing.

C.   All three tribes which were camped around Judah showed an increase.  Judah will bring forth Christ.  This shows us that if we stay close to Christ, He will give the increase.

1.      Judah, from 74,600 to 76,500, and increase of 1,900.

2.      Issachar, from 54,400 to 64,300, an increase of 9,900.

3.      Zebulun, from 57,400 to 60,500, an increase of 3,100.

4.      This is a total increase of 14,900.

D.  Verse 9-11 - Mention is made when numbering Reuben about the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram.

1.      Dathan and Abiram families are not counted because they all died when the earth opened up and swallowed them up.

2.   The Bible declares that the men of the family of Korah also died, but the children remained alive.

a.   these rebels might have been famous when they rebelled, but now their popularity is not remembered except that they died in the rebellion.

b.   Rebellion against God never pays.  It is always better to believe and let God give the increase.

E.   The families involved.

1.   The whole point is to notice that although some tribes have a large number of families, they don't necessarily have more population than the tribes with a smaller number of families.

2.      Dan has only 1 family, yet has more than any other tribe.  Issachar has 4 families and is 100 smaller than Dan.

3.   It doesn't take a lot of people to be pleasing to God.

4.   The most important thing we can do is obey Him.  He will take care of the increase.

III. Verse 52-56 - The dividing of the land by lot.

A.  This would cause every person to know that his land was given to him by God.

1.   He would be more apt to stand and fight for that which God had given him.

2.      There would be no complaining, for God always gives the best to those that leave the choice to him.

B.   God did not say, "By these men we will conquer the land", for God will conquer the land for them.

C.   God said, "By these men we will divide the land", as if it has already been conquered and was ready to divide.

IV. Verse 57-62 - The Numbering of the Levites.

A.  The genealogy of Levi:

Verse 62 - From these families, the Levities number 23,000.

B.   The Levities were not numbered with Israel because there was no land given to them.

1.      They were to live in the Cities of Refuge.

2.      They were not to go to war.

C.   There is no mention of Moses children.

1.   Just because God uses the father is no sign He will use the children.

2.   It is very likely the divided home was the reason the children weren't used.

V.  Verse 63-65.  The conclusion.

A.  The place Israel was numbered was in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

1.   The conquering of Canaan is a little more than a month away.

2.   It is time to organize the people for this undertaking.

B.   The only people living now that was living when the first census was taken is Moses, Joshua, and Caleb.

1.   All the other people are less than 60 years old.

2.      Numbers 14:29, everyone 20 years old and older died in the wilderness.

3.      Only those people 19 years old and younger lived through the 40 year wandering.

4.   So Israel's population is made up of young people.