Paul Penno
December 18, 2009
Two census reports are taken in Numbers (1:20-26; 26:5-51). They were commissioned when the Lord was ready to lead them into their inheritance. Its purpose was for military use determining all the males twenty years and older; and for allocation of the land based on the population size of the various tribes. The first census total was 603,550 (Num. 1:46). The second census total was 601,730 (Num. 26:51).
Certain tribes showed marked increases in size over the first census (Issachar, Manasseh) while other tribes decreased (Simeon, Gad) due to plagues and judgments. A third reason for the census was to certify the passing of all the first generation. “Among them there was not a single one of the Israelites whom Moses and Aaron the priest had recorded in the wilderness of Sinai; for the LORD had said they should all die in the wilderness. None of them was still living except Caleb . . . and Joshua. . .” (Num. 26:64, 65, REB).
On a positive note, though what happened to Korah, et. al., served as a “warning” (Num. 26:10), “the Korahites, however, did not die” (Num. 26:11). Korah’s mutiny against Moses’ leadership was a rejection of God’s government of Israel. Merciful the Lord protected the sons of Korah and they survived the judgment, preserving their name through later descendants. This clan later produced some eleven Psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88), including Ps. 46 which was the inspiration for Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress.” Indeed, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” or as a church bulletin typo had it, “There’s a Wildness in God’s Mercy!”
Hepher was of the first generation who died in the wilderness because of his sin. His “daughters of Zelophehad” (Num. 27:1) expressed their concern to Moses that his name preserved for future generations should not go forward without an inheritance. In those days, legal rights and property ownership was preserved through the males. Moses turned to God for direction in the matter. The Lord sided with the daughters allowing “them to inherit on the same footing as their father’s brothers” (Num. 27:7). So although Hepher sinned and was punished, his memory was not blotted out. His descendants would have land to support themselves and propagate.
Moses was arranging his affairs in order for the proper transfer of leadership upon his death. Israel was a theocracy, governed by the Lord. His delegated leadership was not inherited as in a monarchy, but rather determined charismatically. In other words, God appointed His own leaders by indication of the Holy Spirit. The reason for this is simple. As Moses said, “That the community of the LORD may not be like sheep without a shepherd” (Num. 27:17). The Lord said, “Take Joshua . . . a man powerful in spirit” (Num. 27:18).
Sheep are notoriously fickle and difficult to organize. Once let them out of the pen and an unskilled person seeking to drive them back will find them scattering. They must be led. In the case of God’s people, they cannot be controlled or manipulated by some wolf in sheep’s clothing. They will only recognize the voice of the good shepherd and follow him. Likewise,