Numbers 26:35-65  Are You Being Counted? Part 2

[Study Aired November 6, 2023]

Introduction

This study concludes the second census ordered by the Lord with the view to use it to apportion the inheritance of the various tribes. We must remember that later when the Israelites had settled in the land of Canaan, David decided to count the people. However, the Lord was not pleased with this census by David and therefore judged the people of Israel. Let’s therefore review this census by David to understand the difference between the two censuses and why the Lord was not pleased with the census ordered by David.  

Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 

2Sa 24:2  So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” 

When we compare scripture with scripture by looking at the same account in 1 Chronicles 21:1-4, we see that the Lord used David to count the people as an occasion the Lord was seeking to bring about His judgment on Israel.

1Ch 21:1  Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
1Ch 21:2  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.”
1Ch 21:3  But Joab said, “May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?”
1Ch 21:4  But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 

Jdg 14:1  Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. 
Jdg 14:2  Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” 
Jdg 14:3  But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” 
Jdg 14:4  His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

One key take-away from David’s census is that the Lord uses the Devil as part of His available resources to accomplish His purpose. The Devil is like the left hand of the Lord in dealing with mankind as shown in the following experience of Job:

Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 
Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 
Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Today’s study focuses on the counting of the remaining tribes. It is worth noting that unlike the first census where the Levites were not counted, this census also included the Levites. However, they were separated from the other tribes since their counting was not related to inheritance. In addition, the Levites who were counted were from a month old and upward which is different from the way the other tribes were counted. The study today will highlight the significance of not counting the Levites as part of the other tribes and the reason why in the case of the Levites, they were counted from a month old upwards. Finally, the chapter ends by emphasizing that those counted were not part of the Israelites who left Egypt as almost all of them died in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.

1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 
1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 
1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 
1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 
1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 
1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 
1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The Counting of the Remaining Tribe

Num 26:35  These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
Num 26:36  And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
Num 26:37  These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

Ephraim means ‘doubly fruitful.’ In Christ, we become like a fruitful vine which bears fruits in its season. This is because our mother (the church of the firstborn) abounds with plenty of water which is made available through what every joint supplies.

Eze 17:8  It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

Eze 19:10  Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

The total number of Ephraimites counted was 32,500. This implies that it is with grace through faith (significance of the number 5) that we go through the process of spiritual maturity as we are judged (significance of the number 3) to become the Lord’s witnesses (significance of the number 2). 

Num 26:38  The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 
Num 26:39  Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 
Num 26:40  And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 
Num 26:41  These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.

Benjamin means ‘son of the right hand.’ We, His elect, are indeed the sons of the Lord’s right hand as it is His right hand that saves us. 

Psa 20:6  Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psa 63:8  My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psa 139:10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

The total number of the families of Benjamin was 45,600. This suggests that the whole of the elect are selected from among men and are saved by grace through faith.

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Num 26:42  These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 
Num 26:43  All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.

Dan means ‘a judge.’ As we know from the word of the Lord, we, His elect, shall judge the world.

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Apart from being judges, we, His elect, are like vipers that bite the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backwards. The horse here represents our old man, or the flesh, with the rider being the devil who pulls us in all directions until Christ comes to us. 

Gen 49:16  Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 
Gen 49:17  Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

The sum of the families of Dan who were counted was 64,400. This suggests that it is the whole of the elect who are selected from among men. 

Num 26:44  Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
Num 26:45  Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 
Num 26:46  And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah. 
Num 26:47  These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Asher means ‘happy.’ We are indeed a group of people who are filled with happiness because of what the Lord is doing on our behalf. 

Psa 144:15  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

Psa 146:5  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Pro 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

What distinguishes us from our brothers and sisters in Babylon and the people of the world is that the spiritual food (the word of the Lord) we eat is rich, and what every joint supplies is a delicacy fit for a king.

Gen 49:20  “Asher’s food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies. (ESV)

The total number of people counted for the tribe of Asher was 53,400. Again, this is to stress on the point that grace through faith and the process of becoming spiritually mature through judgment are necessary requirements for the whole of the elect of every generation.

Num 26:48  Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: 
Num 26:49  Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
Num 26:50  These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.

Naphtali means ‘my wrestling.’ If we are called and chosen by the Lord, then we shall surely be victorious as we wrestle with our old man or the flesh in this life.

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: 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

We, His elect, are like a hind set free from the power of sin. The Lord has given us His goodly words which we freely give to those who desire to know His truth. 

Gen 49:21  Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. 

The number of the people of Naphtali counted was 45,400. Here we are reminded that it is grace through faith that the whole of the elect, selected from among men, shall become the sons of God. 

Num 26:51  These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. 

The total number of the men of Israel counted was 601,730. This number represents the process the Lord is taking us through to become His sons and what the goal of being enrolled in His army is; that is, the Lord wants us all to have the same mind as His. That is the significance of the number 1 which means unity. This one mind is the result of the process of spiritual maturity through judgment of those the Lord has called and chosen from among men. The Lord himself will bring to completion what He has started within us. 

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. 

Deu 7:6  For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 
Deu 7:7  The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
Deu 7:8  But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

The Promised Land Shall be Shared According to the Size of Families

Num 26:52  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 26:53  Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
Num 26:54  To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.

As indicated at the beginning of chapter 26, which deals with this second census, we are given to know in these verses that the motive for this census is to serve as a guide for the sharing of the promised land of Canaan as an inheritance. The promised land shall be shared proportionately such that those with larger families shall receive more land and those with fewer families shall receive less. As we know, the promised land refers to our bodies which we must possess as a prerequisite to be given an inheritance. As we can see in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, it is only those who overcome their flesh or possess their bodies that are given to receive an inheritance. 

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The sharing of the land according to the sizes of the families of Israel is therefore to let us know that the Lord has given us various capabilities to serve Him acceptably as we possess our bodies. Ultimately, our inheritance or reward is dependent on being able to possess our bodies, which is also dependent on the capabilities the Lord has given us in this life. The parable of the talents gives us insight into how the Lord has given us various capabilities or talents to carry out His work of possessing our bodies. 

Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 
Mat 25:17  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 
Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 
Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 
Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 
Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

The Lord ordering Moses and Eleazer to count the people and to share the land according to the size of the families is also to let us know that the Lord requires the elders of the church to know the capabilities of their brothers and sisters such that they can be assisted to maximize their potential in their service to the Lord. The elders are therefore not to put impediments in the way of our brothers and sisters in serving the Lord. For example, if Moses and Eleazer gave small land to the tribe of Judah which was the largest tribe, it would have been difficult for them to function well in the promised land. That would amount to putting impediments in the way of the people of God.

1Jn 2:10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

This sharing of the land as inheritance is a foretaste of the joy that is set before us. It also shows us how the Lord apportions His gifts according to the capacity He has given to His children. In the fullness of time, our reward shall  not be dependent on capabilities since all elect shall receive the same reward as clearly shown to us in Revelation chapter 2 and 3. Examples are as follows:

Rev 2:7  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ 

Rev 2:11  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ 

Rev 2:26  The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 
Rev 2:27  and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.

Num 26:55  Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 
Num 26:56  According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

The land being divided by lot signifies that receiving our inheritance in the fullness of time is all the work of the Lord since the outcome of a lot is what the Lord has ordained. This implies that everything is working according to the counsel of the Lord’s will. 

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. 

Eph 1:11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

The Levites not Counted According to the General Rule

Num 26:57  This was the list of the Levites according to their clans: of Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites; of Merari, the clan of the Merarites.
Num 26:58  These are the clans of Levi: the clan of the Libnites, the clan of the Hebronites, the clan of the Mahlites, the clan of the Mushites, the clan of the Korahites. And Kohath was the father of Amram. 
Num 26:59  The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. 
Num 26:60  And to Aaron were born Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 
Num 26:61  But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.
Num 26:62  And those listed were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward. For they were not listed among the people of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the people of Israel.

The Levites in these verses represent Babylon. Not being counted among the people of Israel, who in this case represent the elect, means that there shall not be any inheritance for our brothers and sisters in Babylon. This implies that if we remain in Babylon, we shall not experience the joy that is set before us. In Numbers chapter 1, the Lord expressly commanded that the Levites should not be counted. However, in this second census, they were counted, although they were not among the people of Israel.  As we can see, within the Levites were Moses, Eleazor and others who belonged to the priesthood. The counting of the Levites in this second census was for the sake of the elect, His priests. That is to let us know that as priests, who shall inherit the earth even though we are initially counted as Levites.

Mat 5:5  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

It is worth noting that the number of the Levites counted were males from a month old and upward. What this suggests is there is a significant number of the Levites who were infants (a month old and less than twenty years) who do not know how to war against the flesh. Even the older ones do not know how to go to war since they were excluded from becoming part of the army right from the onset. In other words, they were carnal and therefore cannot inherit the promised land.

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 
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? 

The total number of the Levites being 23,000 implies that it is through the process of spiritual maturity through judgment that our brothers and sisters shall also become witnesses of Christ.

Those Counted were the New Generation

Num 26:63  These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 
Num 26:64  But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 
Num 26:65  For the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 

As indicated in the first part of Numbers chapter 26, the counting took place when the Israelites were in the plains of Moab, with the river Jordan between them and Jericho. What this implies is that as the Lord’s elect, we were still in Babylon (signified by the plains of Moab) and about to have access to the truth of the word of the Lord (symbolized by the river Jordan). Knowing the truth of the word of the Lord is all part of equipping us with the whole armor of God to start waging war with the flesh signified by Jericho. 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Those who were counted were the new generation who were born in the wilderness. All the Israelites who left Egypt and were counted in the first census in Sinai had died except Caleb and Joshua. Spiritually, the people of Israel in the first census represent our old man who rebels against the Lord and therefore is doomed to die in this wilderness of life to give way to the new man represented here by the new generation of the Israelites who were to possess the land.

Num 14:26  And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Num 14:27  “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.
Num 14:28  Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: 
Num 14:29  your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, 
Num 14:30  not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 14:31  But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. 
Num 14:32  But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.

May the Lord continue to be merciful to us to continue in Him until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts!!  Amen!!

Numbers 2:1-34  The Army of the Lord Encamping in Array

[Study Aired April 24, 2023

Num 2:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 2:2  Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. 
Num 2:3  And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. 
Num 2:4  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 
Num 2:5  And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. 
Num 2:6  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:7  Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. 
Num 2:8  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:9  All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
Num 2:10  On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 2:11  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:12  And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 
Num 2:13  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 
Num 2:14  Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 
Num 2:15  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:16  All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank. 
Num 2:17  Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 
Num 2:18  On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 
Num 2:19  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:20  And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 2:21  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 
Num 2:22  Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 
Num 2:23  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:24  All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
Num 2:25  The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 2:26  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 
Num 2:27  And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 2:28  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:29  Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 2:30  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:31  All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. 
Num 2:32  These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:33  But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Num 2:34  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers. 

Introduction

Regarding the verses just read, we see that the children of Israel encamped in array. They did not have the right to be positioned anywhere in the camp of Israel. Their dwellings were all arranged in a pattern given to Moses by the Lord. The children of Israel in this case represent the world, and therefore, what the Lord is telling us is that in this world in which we dwell, He has arranged where we should live and at what time we are to live at a particular place. We do not therefore have the option of making our own decisions in this life. Apparently, we make choices every day, however, these choices are caused to reflect what has been written in our books concerning our lives. 

Act 17:26  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 
Act 17:27  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 
Act 17:28  for “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your own poets have said, “For we are indeed his offspring.” (ESV)

This is all part of the Lord’s predestination. We are not born to have our own will and to do what we like, whether good or evil. In Him we live, move and have our being means that everything we think about or do is from the Lord.

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 

The prophet Isaiah was given to see that the God we are dealing with is a God who likes to hide Himself. In other words, His dealings are hidden to the world, but to the elect, He has given the eyes to see and the ears to hear from the Lord and therefore, He is no longer hidden from us. 

Isa 45:15  Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. 

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

This is what the Lord tells us through the prophet Jeremiah:

Jer 10:23  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 

Understanding the sovereignty of the Lord is key to a peaceful life and rest in the Lord in this tumultuous world in which we live. In other words, knowing that everything comes from the Lord, including our sins, mistakes, etc., is what gives us rest in Christ. This is the same as knowing that in Him we live, move and have our being. As the scripture says, everything concerning us (our daily lives) was written in our books even when we were not yet born. 

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 
Psa 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 

As we go through chapter 2 of Numbers, the key thing to remember is the Lord’s sovereignty in everything. We have already gone over the significance of the total number of the army of the Lord for each tribe in the previous two sessions, and so we shall not do so in this session.

Num 2:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 2:2  Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. 

The father’s house in verse 2 is traced to Jacob, and it is through Jacob (one blood) that all the people of Israel came.  As we can see, the Lord is using the people of Israel to depict His plan for the world. In these verses, the children of Israel represent the whole world, and the Lord is showing us how He has made all humanity from one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth. Pitching by his own standard and with the ensign of their father’s house means that the Lord has determined our parental lineage even before we were born and that it is through our parents that the Lord determines the bounds of our habitation. All the tribes are arranged to face the tabernacle of the congregation. This is another way of saying that the Lord is not far from each one of us and that all humanity will seek the Lord, but it is the elect who shall feel after Him and find Him first. Paul’s words in Acts 17:26-28 are therefore another rendition of Numbers 2:1-2. 

Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 
Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 
Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Num 2:3  And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. 
Num 2:4  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 
Num 2:5  And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. 
Num 2:6  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:7  Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. 
Num 2:8  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:9  All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.

There are basically four camps around the tabernacle of congregation. The first group consisted of the tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, and they were to pitch their tent on the East side of the tabernacle of the congregation. The East side is towards the rising of the sun. In other words, the sun rises from their end. Having been given eyes to see, we know that Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness. What we are being told here, therefore, is the fact that this group represents the elect who are first to see Christ rise in their lives. The names of the tribe affirm this assertion that this group represents the elect. Judah means to praise the Lord. Issachar means “he will bring a reward” and that of Zebulun means habitation. So, this group represents the elect who will praise the Lord as they dwell here on earth (habitation) and will definitely receive a reward. 

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

The leading tribe of this group is Judah. As we are aware, Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah. As we can see from the prophecy of Jacob regarding Judah, Judah is described as a lion or an old lion. Jesus is therefore the leader of the elect or this group. Incidentally, the leader of the tribe of Judah in verse 3 is called Nahshon which means an enchanter. Jesus, who is our leader, is the one who has enchanted us with His love to follow Him.

Jer 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Rev 5:5  and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.

Gen 49:8  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 
Gen 49:9  Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 
Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 

The names of the leaders of the other two tribes, Issachar and Zebulun, were Eliab and Nathaneel. Eliab means ‘God is father’ and Nathaneel means ‘given to God’. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our leader, is also God our father, and His life is given totally to God.   

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

In verse 9, we are told that those in the camp of Judah shall set forth first. We, the elect, are the ones to set forth in this life to engage the enemy, which is our flesh. Our leader has already assured us that being of the camp of Judah, we shall be the first to defeat the enemies as we break our enemies’ necks.

Gen 49:8  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 

Num 2:10  On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 2:11  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:12  And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 
Num 2:13  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 
Num 2:14  Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 
Num 2:15  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:16  All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.

This second group shall camp on the south side. This group consists of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad. This group is dominated by the tribe of Reuben. Pitching their camp on the south side of the tabernacle of congregation means that their dwelling portion in this life is towards the sea. In other words, this group is those who start their journey with the Lord. However, the pull of the sea of flesh denied them from attaining the higher calling of the Lord.

Eze 48:28  And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea.

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

We must remember that Reuben, the first son of Jacob, who through him the tribe of Reuben came into existence, was disqualified from His birthright as firstborn as a result of his inability to resist the pull of the flesh as he slept with his father’s concubine.  This affirms this group’s positioning at the south side, towards the sea of flesh.

Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. 
Gen 49:5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 
Gen 49:6  O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

The names of the leaders of this group are Elizur, Shelumiel and Eliasaph. Elizur means ‘my God is a rock’; Shelumiel means ‘Peace of God’ and Eliasaph denotes ‘God has added’.  The names of the leaders therefore implies that the God of the rock of our salvation, who is the prince of peace, will in the fullness of time add this group to His people. In verse 16, this group is the second to move whenever the Israelites have to move to another place. We must remember that it is only those who are first to know Christ in this life that matters. Whether you come second or third or fourth is irrelevant.  

Num 2:17  Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 

The Levites who take care of the tabernacle of the congregation follow in terms of movement after the group led by the tribe of Reuben. As the story of the hired laborers shows us, what matters is those who were paid first. It is the group of Judah who moved first who received the prize. The Levites and the other groups who moved later will not receive the prize, although they shall be saved. The Levites in verse 17 here represent Babylon or the Christian religion who are protecting the relics of the fading glory – Ichabod!! 

Neh 1:3  And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”  

Mat 20:1  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Mat 20:2  After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Mat 20:3  And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 
Mat 20:4  and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 
Mat 20:5  So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 
Mat 20:6  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
Mat 20:7  They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard, too.’ 
Mat 20:8  And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 
Mat 20:9  And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 
Mat 20:10  Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 
Mat 20:11  And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,

Num 2:18  On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 
Num 2:19  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:20  And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 2:21  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 
Num 2:22  Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 
Num 2:23  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:24  All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.

This group is composed of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. The tribe of Ephraim is the dominant tribe of this group. This group is required to pitch their tents on the west side of the tabernacle of the congregation. The west is where the sun sets. This implies that those in this group will definitely be visited by the Lord at the end of the ages through judgment. The names of the leaders also confirm this assertion. The leaders of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin are Elishama, Gamaliel and Abidan. Eliashama means ‘God has heard’. Gamaliel means ‘God is my recompense’ and Abidan signifies ‘the Father judges’. What these names signify is that at the end of the ages when the sun sets, this group shall have God as their reward when He hears them through His judgment.

Rev 7:9  After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 
Rev 7:10  and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

As we are aware in the scriptures, the Lord was not pleased with the tribe of Ephraim. This is what He says about the tribe of Ephraim:

Hos 4:17  Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

Hos 5:3  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Hos 7:8  Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

Hos 7:11  Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

Hos 8:9  For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

As a result of the sins of Ephraim, this group shall surely undergo the Lord’s judgment at the end of the ages before they come to drink from the rivers of water. 

Jer 31:18  I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.

Jer 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Num 2:25  The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 2:26  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 
Num 2:27  And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 2:28  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:29  Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 2:30  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:31  All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. 

The group that dwelt on the northern part of the tabernacle of the congregation consists of the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali. Being in the north, which is the opposite of the south, means they are far from the sea of flesh which represents the world. The dominant tribe in this group is Dan. In Judges we see the children of Dan setting up a graven image which became a stumbling block to many people of Israel. In addition, they used Gershom and his sons, who were from the tribe of Manasseh, to become priests which was against the Lord’s requirement. Dan here, or this group therefore, represents Babylon where we worship another Jesus.

Jdg 18:30  And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 
2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

The names of the leaders of the tribes in this group tell us about the nature of this group. The leaders of Dan, Asher and Naphtali are Ahiezer, Pagiel and Ahira respectively. Ahiezer means ‘brother of help’, Pagiel stands for ‘meeting with God’ and Ahira signifies ‘brother of evil’. What these names imply is that our brothers and sisters in Babylon cause us a lot of evil, but they are also a help to us, the elect. As we can see in the scriptures, the Levites are given to help the elect. At the climax of the ages, our brothers and sisters in Babylon will also have the chance to meet the Lord. 

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.  

Num 2:32  These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:33  But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Num 2:34  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers. 

As we indicated in the previous study, 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.

May the Lord continue to show mercy to us as we strive for the mark of His higher calling!! Amen!!

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!!

[Study Aired April 10, 2023]

Num 1:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 
Num 1:2  Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
Num 1:3  From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 
Num 1:4  And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:5  And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 1:6  Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 1:7  Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 
Num 1:8  Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 
Num 1:9  Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 
Num 1:10  Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 1:11  Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 1:12  Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 1:13  Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 1:14  Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 
Num 1:15  Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 1:16  These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. 
Num 1:17  And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: 
Num 1:18  And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 
Num 1:19  As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 
Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:21  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
Num 1:22  Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:23  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 
Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, 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 1:25  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. 
Num 1:26  Of the children of Judah, 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 1:27  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 
Num 1:28  Of the children of Issachar, 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 1:29  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 

Introduction

As we are aware, the entire Bible is all about Christ. The scriptures testify that every aspect of the word of the Lord is about Christ.

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Joh 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

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 role of an army is to destroy any potential threat posed by opposing forces to the building of a kingdom. In our case, our flesh poses a potential threat to the building of the kingdom of God within us and therefore, as an army of the Lord, we are in a war situation with our flesh. This flesh is symbolized by the enemies that the Israelites fought with, as they journeyed in the Book of Numbers. The latter part of the Book of Numbers therefore focuses on this war of the Israelites such as the Amorites and the Midianites.

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

A significant aspect of being of the army of the Lord is that we are required 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. 

Today’s study focuses on the formation of this army of the Lord’s elect from different tribes and kindred all over the world, who are represented by the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Num 1:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 
Num 1:2  Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
Num 1:3  From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 

The Lord ordered a census to be conducted for all males of the tribe of Israel above 20 years old. As we know, all things are for our benefit. Thus, this census was part of the Lord’s plan to unveil to His elect, who would come centuries later, what is required to be part of the Lord’s army. 

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 

Being a male of 20 years old signifies that we are ready to handle the word of truth as the Lord guides us to engage the flesh on a daily basis. This implies that we have become spiritually mature and therefore are not blown away by every wind of doctrine. 

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: 

Verse 2 says that these armies to be numbered were to come from every tribe of Israel. It shows that the Lord is redeeming people from every tribe and kindred from every generation to be enrolled in His army. 

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

This numbering excluded all females of Israel. This is because spiritually, there is only one church, who is the bride of Christ and therefore cannot be counted. This church is that of the firstborn or Jerusalem which is above, which is contrasted with Jerusalem which is, and is in bondage with her children. As Paul indicated, Jerusalem which is, has many divisions and therefore cannot constitute an army as no army that is divided can stand any chance against an enemy. 

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? 

Mar 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 
Mar 3:25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  

In the Bible, there was a time that David also ordered his army commander, Joab, and the rulers of the people to count his army. However, the Lord was not pleased with David’s action and as a result, many people died resulting from the Lord sending a plague to the people of Israel. The question is, ”Why was the Lord displeased with David when in the Book of Numbers, the Lord ordered the counting of His army?”

1Ch 21:1  And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 
1Ch 21:2  And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. 
1Ch 21:3  And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? 
1Ch 21:4  Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.  

1Ch 27:23  But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens. 
1Ch 27:24  Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

David wanted to count his army to give him the assurance that he had the men to fight for him after having won many victories. It is during the time of our success that we are most vulnerable as we think that it is through our strength that we have won many victories over the flesh. However, we do not bring anything to the table when it comes to our salvation or victories over the flesh. It is all the work of the Lord.

Another reason why the Lord was displeased with David was that he refused to listen to a multitude of counsel. He did not consult anyone regarding his decision to number the army. At least Joab warned David that his action would cause a trespass to Israel, but David refused. He was not prepared to listen to this counsel. Immediately we refuse to listen to the multitude of counsel or defer to our elders, then we come under the spell of Satan to buffet us. We have seen this happen to many of our brothers and sisters who had left us.

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

Pro 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Num 1:4  And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:5  And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 1:6  Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 1:7  Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 
Num 1:8  Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 
Num 1:9  Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 
Num 1:10  Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 1:11  Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 1:12  Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 1:13  Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 1:14  Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 
Num 1:15  Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 1:16  These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
Num 1:17  And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: 
Num 1:18  And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 

These 12 men were the leaders of the various tribes who were called to assist Moses with the census. The twelve sons of Jacob became the twelve tribes which served as the foundation for the fulfillment of God’s intention to gain a people and to form an army with the intention of building a kingdom. Among the twelve tribes, Levi was consecrated to God to serve in the tabernacle. As a result, the Levites were not counted. This means that there was a shortage of one tribe. Fortunately, the place of the tribe of Levi was filled by Joseph who received a double portion through his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. The fact that the Levites were not counted means that they were not part of the army of God and therefore represent Babylon, the religions of this world who are involved physically with matters pertaining to God (upholding the law of Moses) but are not counted as part of the Lord’s elect. As the name Levi implies, they are joined to us to assist us in serving the Lord in this life.

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. 
Num 3:10  And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Now, let’s take a look at the twelve tribes to see their characteristics as it informs us of the credentials the Lord is looking for in forming His army. We can know more of these tribes by reviewing Jacob’s blessing of his sons in Genesis chapter 49 as follows:

Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Gen 49:5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

The tribe of Reuben is described as unstable because the founding father, Reuben, defiled his father’s bed. Reuben represents Babylon where we all ended up defiling the Lord’s wife by promoting false doctrines at the expense of the Lord’s words. This is exemplified in the Corinthian church when a member slept with his father’s wife. Levi and Simeon were described as instruments of cruelty. When the Lord came to pick us up to enroll in His army, we were under the influence of the flesh and were indeed children of wrath just like Reuben, Simeon and Levi. This is what the Lord says we were when He came for us:

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 
1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  

1Co 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 
1Co 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

The tribe of Judah was promised rulership. As we are aware, even though in our current state it is difficult to imagine that we shall be rulers, the Lord has again and again assured us that we shall surely overcome and reign with Christ. This rulership is part of the incentives for our enrollment in the Lord’s army.

Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

The tribe of Zebulun cannot dissociate itself from the sea of flesh in which it finds itself. That is the meaning of Zebulun dwelling at the haven of the sea. This implies that the tribe of Zebulun represents us who were dominated by the flesh when Christ came to enroll us in His army. The tribe of Issachar loves life and therefore became a slave of the pleasures of the flesh. We were all slaves of the pleasures of the flesh until Christ came.

Gen 49:13  Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. 
Gen 49:14  Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: 
Gen 49:15  And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. 

The tribe of Dan was assured of being judges, while that of Gad is destined to overcome. The tribe of Asher was promised to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, as symbolized by their bread being fat. The result of comprehending these mysteries is that they shall become kings. We are called to be judges and kings when we overcome. It is not by our strength or anything we can do, but by the Lord’s mercies, we shall surely overcome.

Gen 49:16  Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 
Gen 49:17  Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
Gen 49:18  I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. 
Gen 49:19  Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
Gen 49:20  Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

Like the tribe of Naphtali, we are assured that when we are loosed from the sins which easily beset us through the judgment of our old man as we become enlightened in knowledge of His words, what comes out of our mouth will be beautiful words (goodly words) which give life.

Gen 49:21  Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. 

As indicated earlier, Joseph was given a double portion and therefore his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were therefore the founding fathers of their tribes. Through these two tribes, represented by Joseph, we come to see the suffering we must endure as we are hated by the world. However, in the final analysis, we shall go from strength to strength as symbolized by the arms of our hands being made strong by the hand of the almighty!! 

Gen 49:22  Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 
Gen 49:23  The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 
Gen 49:24  But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
Gen 49:25  Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: 
Gen 49:26  The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. 

The tribe of Benjamin spiritually represents those who will become victorious over the flesh, which is powered by the devil, when the sun of righteousness (Christ) rises within them. While the world is becoming darker and darker as the day approaches, the Lord’s called and chosen shall be celebrating their victories over the flesh on a daily basis.

Gen 49:27  Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.  

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 
Mal 4:3  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. 

In summary, the twelve tribes constituting the Lord’s army represent the elect with varied backgrounds which in the sight of men, amounts to nothing. However, the Lord has chosen the foolish things of this world to transform them into the Lord’s army with the full assurance of their victory over the enemies of Christ and to be rewarded with kingship, the priesthood and judgments of the world.

Num 1:19  As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 
Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:21  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred (46,500). 

What is significant in these verses is the number of those enlisted in the Lord’s army representing the tribe of Reuben – 46,500. The significant numbers here are 4,6 and 5. The number 4 signifies the whole of the issue under discussion and in this case, we are dealing with the whole of the elect from every generation.  The number 6 is the number of mankind and therefore tells us that the Lord’s army is selected from among men. The number 5 refers to grace through faith. It is by grace through faith that we become part of this formidable army of the Lord.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Num 1:22  Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:23  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred (59,300). 

The total number of the army from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300. As indicated earlier, the number 5 means grace through faith. The number 9 signifies God’s judgment, and the number 3 is the process of spiritual maturity through judgment. Thus, the tribe of Simeon reminds us that as a soldier of Christ, we are to endure hardships as part of the Lord’s judgment of our old man, and it is through this process that we become spiritually mature.

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 
Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 
Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, 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 1:25  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty (45,650).

The number counted for the tribe of Gad was 45,650. This signifies 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 that they become victorious in this life.   

Num 1:26  Of the children of Judah, 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 1:27  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred (74,600).

In the case of the tribe of Judah, 74,600 were counted. This means that those who are predestined to become part of the Lord’s army, come from the whole of the human race and that they shall complete (the significance of the number 7) their mission as soldiers of Christ.

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: 

Num 1:28  Of the children of Issachar, 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 1:29  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred (54,400). 

The tribe of Issachar had 54,400 men enlisted in the army of Israel. This means that it is by grace through faith that the whole of the Lord’s elect are privileged to be enlisted in the Lord’s army and that it is not of ourselves, but the gift of God.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We thank the Lord for His mercies towards us to count us worthy to be enlisted in His army. May He continue to uphold us as the day approaches!! Amen!!