By Christopher Dryden
63 These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Numbers 26:63-65 (ESV)
When the people of Israel celebrated their successful departure from Egypt and saw their oppressors finally defeated in the Red Sea it was a good time to keep a record of those who had made the journey out. You can imagine the joy they had at finally leaving the place that enslaved them for so long. The point of leaving, however, was to make it into the land promised to their fathers.
The reading today is one to consider with sobriety. Those who will have the joy of entering in will be a new generation to those who left. Only two of those from that generation will make it and what marks them out is their faith.
The writer of the book of Hebrews in his appeal to those who were being threatened by different forces to step back from their faith in Jesus refers to the people of Israel. His argument is that the lack of faith on the part of the generation that left Egypt was the reason why they did not enter the Promise God had for them. It highlights that it’s one thing to start the journey out, but it takes ongoing faith in Christ to be assured of reaching the destination.
Walking with Jesus is a walk of ongoing faith which is why he remarks clearly that it’s not just those who claim to do things for Him and in His name. It’s about those who have lived the life of ongoing faith. The tragedy of this census highlights the purpose of the story of the children of Israel not just giving us assurances of what God does, but also giving us warnings about what God does.
As we look on sombrely at those who missed out on entering into the land God promised, so we consider again those who would make it in – Caleb and Joshua. The story they could tell about how they responded to what God promised. How they agreed with God and looked to Him who delivered them out of the hands of the mighty Egyptians to be able to overcome any opposition to receiving the promise.
Their names are recorded because they did not look to themselves or to the circumstances they would encounter. They looked to the Holy One of Israel. One day a book will be opened of those who have also looked to the Holy One. They would not put their trust in their own efforts, and they would not be deterred by the opposition. That which is promised for them is even more glorious than the land the children of Israel would inherit.
Will your name be found in that book?
Ask – Why was Eleazar taking this census with Moses?
Seek – What assurance can you take when it comes to your name and the Lamb’s book of life?
Knock – Give thanks to God for His faithfulness and ask God for the faith to trust Him to the end.
(Upper Photo by Mike Tinnion on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash)
