Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Numbers 1-2
Key Thought:
A census was an administrative tool that aided the leadership in everything from tax collection to a military draft. At the Lord’s command Moses numbered the people and taxed them for a sanctuary tax so he could construct the tabernacle (Exodus 30). He counted males twenty years old and above who could go to war. Later another census was taken following the Baal incident and other rebellions of Israel (Num. 26). These censuses all seemed normal and even sanctioned by God and duly carried out.
We all remember that David took a census that was severely judged by God. Most conclude that David’s arrogance led him to measure his military might, while others believe he didn’t raise the census tax ordered earlier by God. Nearly all conclude that David’s pride played a role in the census.
The censuses by Moses involved some elements that David’s did not and perhaps supply the key to their legitimacy. First of all, they were clearly ordered by the Lord. The Lord specifically told Moses what to do and how to do it. Second, they had a clear purpose. Either they were raising revenues for a spiritual purpose, such as constructing the tabernacle or preparing the young men for a war ordained by God. Third, the order was carried out precisely as the Lord required. The Lord went to battle against Israel’s enemies but used its army to win those wars. Just as the Lord gives healing, but He often uses doctors, medicines, and procedures to address the physical needs of a person. We also know the census helped Joshua and Eleazar determine how much land to allot the individual tribes, since land was distributed in accordance with each tribes’ relative size.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to never question things you clearly command in your word.
- Lord, please help me to conclude that you have a clear purpose for everything you command and to trust you in that purpose.
- Lord, please help me fulfill my roles so that your purposes can be accomplished.
Political
- Representative Donna Lasinski
- Senator Dan Lauwers
- US Representative Brenda Lawrence