Numbers

Yesterday I realized that I had come to the end of Leviticus. My Bible reading plan, usually, comprises reading daily a chapter from an Old Testament Book, a Psalm or Proverb and a chapter from the New Testament. Sometimes, I start in order, sometimes I just pick randomly.
Anyway, this time I started in order. It just occurred to me to share my findings. It seems that every time I read a book I discover something different.
I will share later my take on Leviticus.

Here are my reflections on the Book of Numbers.

Currently, I am reading The Wesley Study Bible (NRSV).

Introduction to Numbers and Chapter 1
As I started reading it I was reminded that Numbers means "Census".
- Here is part of the Introduction to Numbers that called me to meditate:
"The title of this fourth book of the Pentateuch comes from counting two generations of Israel's males who were 'able to go to war' (chs.1,26). The first census counts men, twenty years old and above, who had experienced Egyptian slavery and deliverance, but who rebelled. The second census enrolls the next generation, which eventually enters Canaan under Joshua and receives land allotments.
The book could also be called 'rebellions,' for Israel repeatedly breaks covenant, loses faith, and even seeks to return to Egypt. Although they question Moses' authority at every turn, we witness here his solidarity with the Israelites and his status as the ideal prophet and closest friend of the Lord..."

* The second paragraph made me think about my faith journey, our faith journey as a family and as the church. How many times have I broken my covenant with God to love Him and worship Him only? How many times have I lost my faith and sought to return to a life of slavery?
This is the story of us. We are that way. When we encounter ourselves in the middle of the desert we tend to forget He who brought us out of Egypt will lead us to the promised land.
And yet, God is faithful.
I sure can identify with the story of Israel.

- The First Census of Israel in Chapter 1 takes place 13 months after they have left Egypt, they have not made it to the promise land yet, they are in the middle of the desert.
The descendants of the sons of Israel, their lineage, in their clans, by their ancestral houses, according to the number of names, individually, every male from twenty years old and upward, everyone able to go to war:

•  Reuben- 46,500
• Simeon- 59,300
•  Gad- 45,650
•  Judah- 24,600
• Issachar- 54, 400
• Zebulun- 57, 400
• Joseph:
• Ephraim- 40,500
• Manasseh- 32,200

• Benjamin- 35,400
• Dan, 62,700
• Asher- 41,500
• Naphtali, 53,400 

Over 553,550 men , not counting the descendants of Levi!

* Let us go back to Genesis and of Abraham for a minute...The episode where Abraham and Sara laughed at God's promise of giving them a child in their old age (Genesis 17:17, 18:12-15)
As I take into account those numbers, I think of Abraham and Sarah cracking up. And I laugh, too. They had no kids, they were old, they were giving up hope but GOD promised to make his descendants numerous. God gave them a child and look how many their descendants are now!
God managed to get them ALL out of Egypt and now is leading them through the desert to the promised land.
How amazing is this? God has been doing what He said He was going to do.

I wanna laugh and say "Look, Abraham and Sarah!! The Lord is faithful to his promises. Thank you for believing!"
What an incredible cloud of witnesses to this we have.