Bible Verse: Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army. Numbers 1:2-3
Scripture Reading: Numbers 1
Let’s be fair: The book of Numbers doesn’t always rise to the top of the Bible reading charts.
It can be difficult to read even on a reading plan, let alone to spend any kind of devotional time on it. It is called “Numbers” for a reason: it’s full of numbers and names—not a great combination for stimulating reading.
However…
If we remember that Numbers is the continuation of the story of God’s adoption and rescue of Israel from subjugation and domination by the Egyptians, both the names and numbers can take on a different level of significance and intrigue.
Numbers bridges the gap between the giving of God’s laws to Israel in the desert and their (finally) entering into the Promised Land. The names and numbers represent those whom God has saved from the slavery and tyranny of Egypt. They are the families and individuals who have seen the power, love, and generosity of their God.
Imagine reading your name or your ancestor’s name in that list. What would you think? How would you feel? Knowing the incredible events that have preceded the taking of the census that opens the book of Numbers, would the names elicit any rejoicing that after 430 years in captivity, this many people have been set free, taken into the love and provision of God, and given a hope on the edge of the land promised so long ago?
It should.
Think of an analogy that will one day be the future for all followers of Jesus. When we stand before God’s throne and listen to the names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:12-15), will we not celebrate every name read out? Our attention to the list will be an act of worship and gratitude. Each name is an expression of God’s love and faithfulness.
And it is God’s faithfulness, against the backdrop of Israel’s faithlessness, that tells the rest of the story in Numbers. Many of those names, those who experienced God’s power, will not survive to receive God’s promise. They will break faith with the God who has declared Himself faithful (Exodus 34:6-7).
This week, we will spend time in Numbers, standing in awe of the God who remains faithful despite people’s faithlessness. Let’s learn together that the God who calls us to Himself never strays.
Our steadfastness, on the other hand, well — that is the question we all must answer.
Prayer: God, help me to read Your story with interest and attention. Help me to see the pictures of You and of me that are painted in the words of Scripture. That the importance of individual people is never lost on You. Thank You that Your care for individuals means You also care for me. Help me to celebrate Your faithfulness and to strive to be faithful to You.
Reflection: Are there parts of your story where you wonder why God is telling it this way? How can you pause to reflect on what even the mundane parts of life might reveal about God’s goodness, power, and faithfulness?
Copyright © 2024 Impactus. All rights reserved.
About
