Numbers 1:30-54  The Census of Israel’s Warriors – Part 2

[Study Aired April 17, 2023]

Num 1:30  Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:31  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 
Num 1:32  Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:33  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. 
Num 1:34  Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:35  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 
Num 1:36  Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:37  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 
Num 1:38  Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:39  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 
Num 1:40  Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:41  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 
Num 1:42  Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:43  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 
Num 1:44  These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:45  So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 
Num 1:46  Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 
Num 1:47  But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 
Num 1:48  For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
Num 1:49  Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 
Num 1:50  But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 
Num 1:51  And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 
Num 1:52  And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 
Num 1:53  But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
Num 1:54  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 

Introduction

As we indicated in the previous study, the Book of Numbers looks at Christ from His mission to transform the church into a heavenly army with the objective of establishing His kingdom within His people first as they journey through the wilderness of this life. In the fullness of time, this inward kingdom of God will become manifested visibly as the kingdoms of this world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. 

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

A key requirement for our enrollment into the army of the Lord is that we are able to endure hardships and also not to be involved in the affairs of this world as we please our commanding officer who is Christ.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

As we can see from the previous and today’s study, an obvious requirement of being enlisted in the army of the Lord is that one is twenty years old or older. The number twenty, therefore, signifies those who are ready to war against the flesh. This means that we have left Babylon to enter the promised land (possess our bodies) to war against the enemies of the land (our flesh).

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 

Today’s study continues with the formation of the army from the various tribes of Israel, which represents the whole of the tribes and countries of this world of every generation. In the last study, we reviewed the census of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Judah, and Issachar. The census of the males above 20 years of age for these five tribes discussed were as follows: 

Reuben – 46,500
Simeon – 59,300
Gad – 45,650
Judah – 74,600
Issachar – 54,400

Those counted symbolize those who are ready to engage the flesh in a battle. The significant numbers of those counted for these five tribes are 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. What these numbers signify is that those pre-selected (the elect) by the Lord to be enrolled in His army come from the whole of the human race, and it is by grace through faith they become victorious in this life. They become victorious over the flesh (spiritually mature) through the judgment of their old man. We have the assurance from the Lord that those enlisted in the army of the Lord shall complete (the significance of the number 7) their mission as soldiers of Christ. In other words, He who has started this work in them will surely see to its completion.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

This is made clearer when we realize that those who overcome from every tribe are figuratively numbered 144,000 with each tribe being 12,000. The number 12 means foundation, and as we are aware, there is no foundation except that which is laid by our Lord Jesus Christ. This means that the number 12 is the number of Christ. In the final analysis, all the elect, representing every tribe will attain the perfection of Christ.

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

In Revelation chapter 14, we are given further evidence that as soldiers of Christ (His elect), we shall be victorious over the flesh in the final analysis. Here, we are told that they were not defiled with women. In other words, the elect will not be deceived by Babylon, and their focus in this life is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, not counting on their own righteousness as they follow the Lamb wherever He goes.   

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 
Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 
Rev 14:5  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. 

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

With this in mind, let us plough through His words in the second part of Numbers chapter 1, to know more of the mind of Christ concerning this great victorious army.

Num 1:30  Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:31  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred (57,400). 

The key numbers resulting from the census are 5, 7 and 4. What these numbers signify is that those enrolled in His army are selected from the whole of the human race, and it is by grace through faith that they become victorious in this life. The Lord has given us the assurance that those enlisted in the army of the Lord shall complete (the significance of the number 7) their mission as soldiers of Christ.

Num 1:32  Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:33  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred (40,500).

The census shows us that it is by grace through faith to be selected from the whole of the human race to be enlisted in the Lord’s army.

Num 1:34  Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:35  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred (32,200).

The census in the case of Manasseh suggests that those enlisted in the Lord’s army are witnesses of Christ, and they become spiritually mature through the hardships they go through as soldiers of Christ.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Num 1:36  Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:37  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred (35,400). 

The number of men counted in the case of Benjamin (35,400) signifies that it is grace through faith to be selected from the whole of the human race to be enlisted in the Lord’s army. We become spiritually mature through the judgment of our old man when we become enlisted in the Lord’s army.

Num 1:38  Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:39  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred (62,700).

In the case of the tribe of Dan, the census implies that the army of the Lord is His witness, and they are elected from among men (the number 6) with the full assurance from the Lord that they shall complete their mission as soldiers of Christ.

Num 1:40  Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:41  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred (41,500). 

The new number introduced in the census of the tribe of Asher is 1, which signifies unity. One of the key requirements of being enlisted in the army of the Lord is that we have to be united with one mind and one judgment, speaking the same thing. 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Unlike Babylonian Christianity, where there are divisions, the church of the firstborn must be united with the mind of Christ.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Num 1:42  Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:43  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred (53,400). 

The number of men enlisted in the army of the Lord for the tribe of Naphtali is 53,400. This signifies that it is by grace through faith we are chosen from the whole of the human race to be enlisted in the Lord’s army. As part of our training by our commanding Officer, the Lord Jesus Christ, we go through hardships to become tried and tested soldiers of Christ or become spiritually mature.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Num 1:44  These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:45  So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 
Num 1:46  Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty (603,550). 

It is insightful to note that in verse 44, the princes of Israel were numbered 12, which represents the number of Christ. What this suggests is that the princes of Israel are those who have obtained the standard of Christ. This shows that the goal of being enlisted in the Lord’s army is to become a prince of God (the meaning of the word “Israel”) where we measure up to the standard of Christ. The status of the princes refers to our spiritual maturity which is attained through the judgment of our old man. In other words, it is by grace through faith that we come to measure up to the standard of Christ.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Num 1:47  But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 
Num 1:48  For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
Num 1:49  Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 

The Levites were not counted and therefore, were not enrolled in the army of the Lord. The Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are also of Abraham’s seed. However, they are not counted as the seed of promise and therefore are not to be given any inheritance. This is not because we, the elect, deserve any inheritance. It is through the hardening of their hearts to believe that we are privileged to receive mercy to believe. In the final analysis, this mercy we have received will be extended to the whole of the human race. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Num 1:50  But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 
Num 1:51  And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Num 1:52  And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 
Num 1:53  But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
Num 1:54  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 

The Levites are given to the elect to help them minister to the Lord. They do the initial leg work of using the law of Moses as our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. After we get to know Christ through faith, we are no longer under their influence or the law of Moses. Today’s Levites represent the Christian religion. They are focused on building and taking care of physical churches (tabernacle of testimony). In verse 50, it is stated that the Levites are required to encamp round about the tabernacle. In today’s terms, this means protecting the legacy of the Christian religion.

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

On a positive note, the Levites symbolized the elect who are given the charge of protecting the testimony, which is the word of God. This role of the elect started immediately after Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from the garden of Eden. The Cherubims signify the elect who are protecting the truth of the word of the Lord in every generation. It is only through the judgment of our old man (fiery trials) that one can access the way of the tree of life!! 

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

May the Lord grant us the grace to have His mind and therefore be united as one as we see the day approaching!! Amen!!