Theological Commentary: Click Here
If we look
at this census and compare it to the census that was done at the beginning of
the time in the wilderness, we notice that the number of Hebrew people went
down. In Numbers 1 we hear that the number of grown men was 603,550. In Numbers 26, we hear that the number is now
601, 730. Naturally, this is forty years
later. We wouldn’t expect the number to
be the same.
What I find
significant, though, is that it was this grumbling and complaining generation
that experiences the decrease. They had
every opportunity to trust in God, to enter the Promised Land, to take over,
and to prosper under God’s provision.
Instead, they lived in fear and wanted to lean on their own
strength. This decision led to a
decrease in the size and strength off the people. When we reside in our own strength and
grumble against the Lord, why would He prosper us?
The other
dynamic hear that I find significant is the way that this chapter ends. Only two adult people – Caleb and Joshua – who
left Egypt were listed on the census as they get ready to enter into the
Promised Land. In other words, God
fulfills His promises. Even when the
promises aren’t particularly pleasant, God is true to His word. When God says that He will wait to bless the
next generation, He means it!
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