What Counts
4 min read
51 The total number of the men of Israel was 601,730.
Numbers 26:51
That was the count of the fighting men (twenty years or older). The LORD called for that count after the plague that killed 24,000 (Numbers 25:9). That plague was the result of the people worshiping Canaanite gods. Many of the men had fallen into idolatry because they were indulging in sexual immorality with Midianite and Moabite women. That plague was also the final “pruning” of the first generation of Israelites who had been delivered out of Egypt.
In other words, that 601,730 represents the generation of Israelites who would be receiving God’s covenant promise and entering into the promised land. But for us on this side of the cross, that number represents God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to fill the earth with His glory in Christ Jesus through His people.
Numbers 26 may well be one of the more difficult passages for believers today to read and to understand. Really, what’s the point of that census of all the fighting men for us? What’s in it for ME?
That question reflects an attitude that may be one of the primary reasons why many people cannot understand the Scriptures, cannot hunger and thirst for the word of God, and cannot grow in faith. What’s in it for ME?
On the other hand, the question that does lead to understanding is, “what’s in it for God?” Because when we start to wrestle with that question, we begin to discover that “what’s in it for God” is “what’s in it for me.”
Abram was the same way. When God called him, he very naturally acted according to the question, “what’s in it for me?” But then the LORD revealed to Abram, “I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1).
What’s in it for God is what is the very best for us. Everything else falls short.
Father, Your ways are perfect. Your goodness knows no bounds. And yet, I so easily think about what I want before I think about what You want. Change my heart, Lord, and let me understand the joy of my salvation that is found in You and You alone—not in me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
