Scripture Passage for Today
Note to Purists: *Not* An Historically Accurate Rendering!
Scripture Focus“From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops, and you will be assisted by one family leader from each tribe.” (Numbers 1:2-4 NLT)
Observation
Let’s be honest: Overall, Numbers can be a difficult book to read. Its structure is not the clearest. It contains interesting narrative history, but also includes things like census lists, genealogies and Levitical laws—not always the most inspirational reading for 21st century believers.
But for those who can keep the big picture in view, Numbers is the story of two generations—the generation that came out of Egypt but failed to enter Canaan, and the generation that followed…right up to the point where that second generation is ready to enter Canaan.
Given Hebrew history, Numbers opens in an interesting fashion. The Lord tells Moses to take a census identifying “the names of all the warriors”. Think of that—a generation of slaves is liberated to become a generation of warriors!
I recognize that we’re not always comfortable these days with “war” analogies or even many of the stories of battle found within the Old Testament. Still, isn’t there something of what God has called His people to be that requires a battle-ready heart? “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:11-12 NIV).
I, for one, am encouraged that—though I was a slave, I am being made a warrior—and all for God’s good purpose! I am grateful that God took someone enslaved by sin, and liberated him to advance the righteousness of God and the Kingdom of Heaven!
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