Numbers 26.
THE wilderness was almost past, and the promised land was just over the flowing stream before the thousands of Israelites, but warfare was not over; there were to be battles in the land, for it was full of enemies who would dispute every forward move. Therefore, after the plague, after the discipline of God upon the people, God called upon Moses and Eleazar for a counting up of the men able to fight in the coming wars.
Across the river a few miles, stood the strongly walled city of Jericho, but by God’s power the children of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, and, depending on Him, the new possession would be conquered step by step.
As in other cases, the meaning of the names is of great interest; a few will be given. The first son of Reuben, heading the list in verse 5, Hanoch, means “dedicated”—a good beginning, if it meant devoted to God. In verse 12, Nemuel means “God is spreading,” and in verse 48 Jahzeel means “God apportions”—a good ending.
To the fighters, the warriors for God, the land was to be awarded, according to their number. There is no getting possession practically of the Christian’s heavenly character without conflict with Satan, who does not want God’s people to be at rest in God’s presence. Too many are quite satisfied to make no progress in the knowledge of God, if only they are safe for eternity.
The Levites are mentioned last; privileged beyond the rest they had no portion in the land, —God was their portion.
All those who had been counted in the wilderness of Sinai nearly forty years before, were now dead, —the result of unbelief—except Caleb and Joshua, the two men of faith.
O, my reader, beware lest God cut you off in unbelief too!
ML 05/25/1924