Numbers 1   Back in time..to the wilderness.. out of Egypt... heading to the promised land.. I find this alternating between the New and the Old Testament a way to keep it all fresh.. to learn new lessons in the old books; to remember the mighty works of the Lord God among these ordinary and often stubborn people that He chose to be His own. And I marvel at how it all leads to the One who gave His all for us. 

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, "Take a census.. " 

The people were registered according to their clans.. the 12 tribes of Israel.  The Lord chose "by name"  a man who would be the head of each tribe: 

Elizur of the tribe of Rueben;
Shelumiel of the tribe of Simeon;
Nahshon of the tribe of Judah;
Nethanel of the tribe of Issachar;
Eliab of the tribe of Zebulun;
Elishama of the tribe of Ephraim and Gamaliel of the tribe of Manasseh - the two sons of Joseph 
Abidan of the tribe of Benjamin;
Ahiezer of the tribe of Dan;
Pagiel of the tribe of Asher;
Eliasaph of the tribe of Gad; 
Ahira of the tribe of Naptali.

The Lord knew each man and called him by name.. what a wonderful thought!  He knows us.. by name.. and He calls us to do what He has made us to be.. 

The tribe of Levi was set apart from this count. They would not be included in the armies of Israel for they were appointed to care for the tabernacle.. they were called to "keep charge" over the holy things of God. 

This census counted the men only.. those 20 years old  and upward.  They were counted "head by head". These men had to be "able to go out to war."  When all were counted there were 603,550 men who would fight for Israel. 

Today there are approximately 1.3 million  US  active military personnel with about 452, 823 being  army personnel. China has over 2 million soldiers  and India ranks 2nd with 1, 475,750 active personnel. Iran has over 900,000...   Israel, on the other hand has about 169, 500 active personnel with another 465,000 in the reserve.. bringing the total to 634,500.  Interesting, that the number of soldiers.. all men over the age of 20 were chosen to fight for the land of Israel in that Numbers account.. and the army today is not much larger.

The other thing to remember is that none of these men in the first census, except Joshua and Caleb, would still be living in the day they entered Canaan.. they all died in the wilderness because of their sin of rebellion when they refused to fight the battles they were called to fight.  It is their sons and grandsons that were counted 40 years later.. 601,730 who would fight for the land that God would give them. ( Numbers 26)

Then and now.. it is the Lord's army that really counts.. those willing to serve, willing to go, willing to fight.. willing to trust and obey.  It is the Lord who fights the battles and brings the victory.. and He will use us as He chooses.. whether it is to go to war or to stay and care for His House.  

Father, thank You for leading us in Your ways.. help us to be willing to seek Your will and to obey Your Word so that Your Kingdom will come and You will bring that final victory to the glory and honor of our Captain.. our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.