Numbers 1: Coming To Their Census

Numbers is a book that certainly earns its name!  There are many numbers mentioned even in the first chapter of this book when the Israelites take their first census, thirteen months after the Exodus.  (Taking a census was only permissible when God ordered it.)  Here are some noteworthy observations from Israel's first census:

• Twelve tribes are numbered.  The tribe of Joseph is broken out into two half-tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh.  The tribe of Levi, charged with the administration of the Tabernacle, is not numbered.
• The numbering is specifically of men of fighting age (men 20 years old and up able to go to war).  This seems to be for purposes of planning for military battle.
• The largest tribe is Judah: 74,600.
• The smallest tribe is Manasseh: 32,200.  The second smallest tribe is Benjamin: 35,400.
• The total numbered out of all the Israelites (except for Levi) is 603,550.

One other thing to notice is how God's promise to Abraham (of descendants so numerous as to outnumber the stars in the sky) is on its way to fulfillment!