Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 27 those listed of the tribe of Judah were 74,600.
One, Two…skip a few…99,100. It’s the oldest and dirtiest trick in the book when playing Hide and Seek. It is also a good description of how most people approach the book of Numbers when attempting to read the Bible cover to cover. It is so tempting to “skip a few”. If that is you, pay special attention to these 2 verses. The tribes were taking a census to see how many men in each tribe were ready for war, from 20 years old and upward. This census differs from the sinful one David took later in that, “The LORD spoke to Moses”. He not only sanctioned it, he commanded it. One tribe in particular jumps out. Judah counted 74,600 men.
The women and children could feel as if they did not count. That is not the case but this counted all who would lead their clans and tribes. The women and children would not be ignored or abandoned. Out of the tribe of Judah would come leaders to protect them. Out of the tribe of Judah would also come the Lion who would be slain like a Lamb to save them.
You may feel ignored or abandoned in your wilderness wanderings like the women and children of Israel. You are not. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah knows you count. Indeed, he knows the number of the hairs on your head. He knows your needs and has come to save you. When Jesus counted his sheep, he never…
Skipped one.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church