Day 54 – Numbers 1-2

Talking Points

• The Hebrew title of this book is translated “in the wilderness.” It recounts the 40 years that the Israelites spend wandering in the wilderness before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The beginning of the narrative takes place one month after the completion of the tabernacle.
• The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) calls the book “Numbers,” because a census is taken. We are also told of the orderly setup of the camp.
• We learn that when the census is taken, there are more than 600,000 men who were 20 and older and able to go out to war. Considering the 70 who entered Egypt with Jacob, it is clear that God had kept His promise to make them a great nation.
• Of all these men, only two, Joshua and Caleb, will enter the Promised Land.
• The Levites have their own census and are appointed overseers of the tabernacle. They are to camp around the tabernacle to keep the laymen from approaching it. The rest of the Israelites are to camp around the Levites in their assigned places.

Thoughts

What banner are you waving? It may seem like a weird question, but the truth is each of us is waving a banner, if not several. Maybe you wave the banner of a champion of social justice or a crunchy mom. Maybe you wave the banner of your occupation, proud to be known as a ______. Maybe your banner marks you as a life coach, or you are under another as a proud boy mom. Perhaps your banner is that of a school or university. All of your banners reflect your reputation. What banner are you waving?

In our verses we read that the tribes of Israel camped by 4 standards. It literally translates their “banner.” The banner represented their past, their heritage, and ultimately their identity. They were known by the banner they assembled under, and proudly so. In Exodus 17:15, Moses sets up an altar, saying, “The LORD is My Banner.”

As New Testament believers, we also are to wave a banner. Surrendered are our banners of self, pride, and our former identities. Raised is to be the banner of Jesus. He has redeemed our past, and, most awesome, He is our identity! Lord, help us to set any banner down that is not Yours. Lord, help us to wave high the banner of Jesus.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Galatians 2:20