Read Numbers 26
Questions from the Scripture text: What does this census follow (Numbers 26:1)? Whom does YHWH command for this census (Numbers 26:2-3)? To did it compare (Numbers 26:4)? What tribe was first (Numbers 26:5-11)? What do Numbers 26:9-11 highlight? What tribe was second (Numbers 26:12-14)? What tribe third (Numbers 26:15-18)? What tribe fourth (Numbers 26:19-22)? What does Numbers 26:19 highlight? What tribe was fifth (Numbers 26:23-25)? What tribe sixth (Numbers 26:26-27)? What tribe seventh (Numbers 26:29-34)? What do Numbers 26:33-34 highlight? What tribe was eighth (Numbers 26:35-37)? What tribe ninth (Numbers 26:38-41)? What tribe tenth (Numbers 26:42-43)? What tribe eleventh (Numbers 26:44-47)? And what tribe twelfth (v48–50Numbers 26:48-50)? How many were there in total (Numbers 26:51)? How would the land be divided (Numbers 26:52-54)? How will this be determined (Numbers 26:55-56)? What tribe is numbered separately (Numbers 26:57-62)? With a focus on which family (Numbers 26:59)? What does Numbers 26:61 highlight? Who numbered these, where (Numbers 26:63)? Who were missing (Numbers 26:64-65)?
What are we to learn from Israel’s second census? Numbers 26 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord highlights His sovereign grace, while warning us against sin, and presenting Himself as our inheritance.
Overruling grace. This census is intentionally compared to the first one (Numbers 26:4, Numbers 26:64). That one had numbered 603,550. This one numbers 601,730 (Numbers 26:51). Considering the 24,000 that had just been eliminated (Numbers 26:1, cf. Numbers 25:9), we see that this census is an amazing testament to God’s faithfulness, goodness, and power. That entire first census is wiped out, but God has powerfully and mercifully replaced them all.
This theme of God’s grace overruling the consequences of His people’s sin runs through the entire census. Consider what’s highlighted throughout the passage. Numbers 26:9-11 remind us of the rebellion of Dathan, Abiram, and Korah, who died for their sin in the wilderness. Numbers 26:19 reminds us of Er and Onana, who died for their sin in Canaan. Numbers 26:61 reminds us of Nadab and Abihu, who died for their sin while still at Sinai. As Numbers 26:10 says, “they became a sign.” There is warning here about the consequences of sin. And yet there is encouragement to repent and believe in the Lord, Who sovereignly rules and overrules all things for His redemptive work.
Good, sovereign provision. The next theme is God’s provision. His provision is appropriate, larger inheritances for larger tribes, smaller inheritances for smaller tribes (Numbers 26:53-54). And His provision is sovereign. After specifying the arrangement in verses 53–54, He further directs that the land will be divided by lot. The Lord sovereignly provides for His people.
The Lord, our inheritance. Finally, the Levites are numbered (Numbers 26:57-62). The Lord is their inheritance (Numbers 26:62, cf. Numbers 18:20–24), so they are not numbered among Israel. But their number is sobering. They barely exceed the number of Simeon, who were the smallest tribe by far—but the Levites aren’t actually bigger, for they are numbering from one month up, not twenty years. Between the elimination of Nadab and Abihu (Numbers 26:61), and 250 heads of their and Reuben’s families (Numbers 26:10), the smallness of Levi reminds us that it can be dangerous to serve in holy things. This is one of the reasons that it’s so glorious that Christ so cleanses us, that we are able not only come near to the Lord, but to do so with boldness (cf. Hebrews 10:19–22).
How seriously do you take the potential consequences of your sin? Whom do you trust to overrule your and others’ sin for good? What good things do you have in this world? From Whom have they come? What (Whom!) is your inheritance?
Sample prayer: Lord, if You should mark iniquities, who would stand? But with You, there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared. Grant unto us to fear You and worship You. Make us to remember Your greatness and goodness, and how grievous and harmful sin has always been. Give us all that we need in this life and the next. Indeed, be our life, our joy, our inheritance in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP130 “LORD, from the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”
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