Numbers 1:15 belongs to Israel's first census, taken at Sinai at the close of the first year and at the beginning of the forty years, with a second numbering made again at the end of the forty years in the plains of Moab thirty-eight years later. The book takes its name from these two numberings, one at Sinai and one in Moab. It comes after the law was proclaimed from the flaming mount, the tabernacle was erected with the ark of the law deposited in its most holy place, the cloud of glory took possession of the building, bread was given every morning, water was given from the rock, and the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night abode with the camp. It stands after the tabernacle and its services were established but before Israel left Mount Sinai, as part of the connected Bible story told to children with practical moral lessons woven in.
The numbering was made by Moses at God's direction and command, and unlike David's later census it was authorized by God and brought no trouble. It counted men able to go forth to war, 603,550 in all, not including the tribe of Levi at all, nor any females, nor any under twenty years of age. The names were recorded and the host marshaled in the completest order preparatory to marching into the land of promise, with everything indicating speedy entrance into Canaan. The verse names Ahira the son of Enan as the leader and representative named for the tribe of Naphtali in that first census.
Naphtali numbered 53,400 in this first census and 45,400 nearly forty years later, a decrease of 8,000. This first census is to be compared with the second census in Numbers 26 to see how Naphtali's numbers changed during the wilderness journey and the forty years of wandering. That comparison shows how some tribes increased greatly while others declined and fell off. The first census stood as a sign of hope of entering the promised land, where everyone numbered expected an inheritance and might have had it through tokens of God's loving-kindness shown to them as to no other people.
Of all the men counted the first time, not one except Caleb and Joshua lived to witness the second numbering, for every other person of the rebellious first generation fell and died in the wilderness. This fulfilled God's threatened judgment by solemn oath excluding them from the land because of wickedness and open, wanton rebellion against God. The second numbering thus impresses the fact that God fulfills His threatened judgments.
Numbers 1:15 belongs to Israel's first census, taken at Sinai at the close of the first year and at the beginning of the forty years, with a second numbering made again at the end of the forty years in the plains of Moab thirty-eight years later. The book takes its name from these two numberings, one at Sinai and one in Moab. It comes after the law was proclaimed from the flaming mount, the tabernacle was erected with the ark of the law deposited in its most holy place, the cloud of glory took possession of the building, bread was given every morning, water was given from the rock, and the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night abode with the camp. It stands after the tabernacle and its services were established but before Israel left Mount Sinai, as part of the connected Bible story told to children with practical moral lessons woven in.
The numbering was made by Moses at God's direction and command, and unlike David's later census it was authorized by God and brought no trouble. It counted men able to go forth to war, 603,550 in all, not including the tribe of Levi at all, nor any females, nor any under twenty years of age. The names were recorded and the host marshaled in the completest order preparatory to marching into the land of promise, with everything indicating speedy entrance into Canaan. The verse names Ahira the son of Enan as the leader and representative named for the tribe of Naphtali in that first census.
Naphtali numbered 53,400 in this first census and 45,400 nearly forty years later, a decrease of 8,000. This first census is to be compared with the second census in Numbers 26 to see how Naphtali's numbers changed during the wilderness journey and the forty years of wandering. That comparison shows how some tribes increased greatly while others declined and fell off. The first census stood as a sign of hope of entering the promised land, where everyone numbered expected an inheritance and might have had it through tokens of God's loving-kindness shown to them as to no other people.
Of all the men counted the first time, not one except Caleb and Joshua lived to witness the second numbering, for every other person of the rebellious first generation fell and died in the wilderness. This fulfilled God's threatened judgment by solemn oath excluding them from the land because of wickedness and open, wanton rebellion against God. The second numbering thus impresses the fact that God fulfills His threatened judgments.