New Numbers/New Leader

Numbers 26-27:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2026-27&version=NIV

            As the people of Israel complete their 40 years in the wilderness, the Lord plans for their impending conquest of Canaan.  In today’s reading, Numbers 26-27, He first orders a new census of the fighting men.  Lutheran Study Bible has this note regarding the census:

In the following list, the numbers in parentheses are from ch. 1, allowing easy comparison of the change Israel experienced during the wilderness wanderings.  Reuben, 43,700 (46,500); Simeon, 22,200 (59,300); Gad, 40,500 (45,650); Judah, 76,500 (74,600); Issachar, 64,300 (54,400); Zebulun, 60,500 (57,400); Manasseh, 52,700 (32,200); Ephraim 32,500 (40,500); Benjamin, 45,600 (35,400); Dan/Shuham, 64,400 (62,700); Asher, 53,400 (41,500); Naphtali, 45,400 (53,400); all of Israel, 601,730 (603,550).  Despite living in the wilderness and the experience of several plagues (chs. 11; 14; 16; 25), Israel’s population had dropped only 0.3 percent.  However, the tribe of Simeon suffered great loss, 63.5 percent of their male population.  This was likely due to persistent unfaithfulness, as specifically described in the idolatry of Baal of Peor (25:4).  The tribe of Ephraim suffered great loss (19.8 percent), but their brother-tribe, Manasseh, experienced the greatest growth (64 percent).  Judah remained the strongest tribe.

Attentive readers will remember that Judah was the son of Jacob who received the birthright and the blessing, so it makes sense that they would be the strongest tribe.

            Interestingly enough, the reason for the new census is for the impending distribution of land, not for purposes of military conquest.  Israel’s strength is irrelevant as long as she is doing the Lord’s bidding; as long as she does the Lord’s bidding, He provides the military victory.  Also interesting is the fact that, in a hugely patriarchal world, daughters are given a chance to receive inheritance.  (How much impact this had in terms of the real, day-to-day life of Israel can be debated; you don’t give up on patriarchy all at once!)

            Finally, we see God’s judgment on Moses reaffirmed:  he will not enter the land of promise because he ‘failed to uphold the Lord as holy’ at the waters of Meribah.  However, the Lord continues to provide for Israel’s leadership, and Joshua is designated heir-apparent in the presence of the priest and of the whole congregation.  Given Israel’s checkered history with honoring their leaders, there’s no need to take chances about Joshua’s credentials.  (On a tangent, that’s one of the reasons that Lutherans emphasize ordination for their pastors.  That kind of leadership is not exercised in private, nor does a private call qualify one for the office.  The office is public, therefore the declaration of election to that office is public.)
--reposted from February 22, 2013