SCRIPTURE: Numbers 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions… [Matthew 10:2-5]
As a Jesus-follower, I see a parallel in Jesus’ naming and numbering His twelve apostles (missionaries), and the long lists of names in the book of Numbers.
As we read Numbers this month, be prepared, it’s not easy to follow.
There is a storyline, but the narrative jumps around… it’s hard to get the flow.
It starts with a long list of names and numbers (hence the title).
But as with Jesus, so with Israel, God is preparing His missionaries.
There are debates about the numbers (they seem high for that time; the issue is whether to interpret the Hebrew word “eleph” the traditional way as ‘thousands’ or another interpretation as ‘clans’ or ‘family units’; see a helpful analysis of the numbers listed and possible interpretations here).
The totals are not as important as their purpose.
The Lord is organizing His ‘army’ to fulfill His mission.
While they were passive in Egypt while God fought for them, the battle for Canaan will be involve them, though Jericho will be the reminder that it is always the Lord Who gives the victory.
Similarly with Jesus, the selection of twelve apostles is intentional and symbolic.
He is commissioning the new Israel, the new army of God that will usher in the kingdom of God not only in Canaan (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria) but to the ends of the earth!
As churches, we should not be focused on numbers.
Yet every person that the Lord entrusts to us is to be numbered among His army, His movement.
I count, I am counted.
I am called, commissioned and sent.
The location of my assignment is different, but I need to take my position and purpose just as seriously as the tribes did, as the apostles did.
Jesus has counted me in, I am in the numbers!
Will I go?
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to see beyond the boring details, the important truth and calling contained in the fact that I too am numbered among Your followers.
A counting of the people. A preparation for what is ahead of them – to conquer the land which the Lord is giving them. At the same time, in this census I can see all what the Lord God had done in the wilderness and how He continued to look after the needs of the people during their wanderings – just the ones 20 years or older numbered over 600,000! And God took care of them. Great is His faithfulness.
Not only did He prepare for the battle, God also had a place for Himself among the people in the tabernacle where the Levites served. God lived among His people and He prepared them. God lived among His people and they served Him by doing what His Word said.
Today God continues to prepare His followers and lives among them. Approaching Palm Sonday, my response too must be, Praise Him! Hallelujah! Living for Jesus each day in His Way. He continues to empower as always for those who trust and obey. Count me in. I’m part of His family – the family of God – serving Him! Onward.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.