Números 26
John Calvin · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 26
Calvin - “This was the reason why the people was numbered immediately after the plague, in order that it might be more conspicuous that God had marvellously provided lest any diminution should appear after the recent loss of so many men.” Numbers 26:2 "Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' households, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel." BGT Numbers 26:2 λαβὲ τὴν ἀρχὴν πάσης συναγωγῆς υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω κατ᾽ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν πᾶς ὁ ἐκπορευόμενος παρατάξασθαι ἐν Ισραηλ NET Numbers 26:2 "Take a census of the whole community of Israelites, from twenty years old and upward, by their clans, everyone who can serve in the army of Israel." NLT Numbers 26:2 "From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war." ESV Numbers 26:2 "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war." NIV Numbers 26:2 "Take a census of the whole Israelite community by families--all those twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army of Israel." Nu 1:2,3 Ex 30:12 38:25,26 Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The Numbering of the Israelites (19th-century engraving by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux) TAKE A SECOND "HEAD COUNT" In America there was a saying "You're in the Army Now!" That saying is apropos to all Israeli men over the age of 20, for they were automatically in the army. God was not asking for volunteers. The age of conscription in the United States is 18. As Wenham says "it was envisaged that some men may have good reason not to enlist (Deut. 20:5–9). But here no exceptions for age, marriage or timidity are allowed. So fundamental is the campaign for Canaan that every able bodied man must join in. This census list then conveys the urgency and imminence of the battle for the land." The idiom dictionary has the following for You're in the Army Now! - Shape up—things are done differently here. One of the stock comedy bits in World War II movies was the rude awakening that recruits received during basic training. Any buck private who tried to oversleep or do anything else that wasn't according to military procedure would be chewed out by his drill sergeant, with an unceremonious, “Hey, you ain't no civilian no more, mister—you're in the army now!” The phrase followed the soldiers home, and well into the '50s anyone who was corrected by an ex-GI was liable to be told, “Do it right, mister—you're in the army now!” Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward (cf 2 Chr 25:5), by their fathers' households - Notice that this charge to take a census comes after the plague that took 24,000, implying that in that group were all of the first generation. Now the census will be of the second generation. Take a census is more literally "lift up the heads" which is like our phrase "count noses" or "take a head count." Note that there is a difference between the first census and the second census, because: the first gives us only the total number of men 20 years of age and older in each tribe whereas this census mentions the clans that made up the 12 tribes. Recall that God had just commanded a "holy war" against the Midianites in Nu 25:17-18 and now we number the warriors (note there would no one over age 60 because they would have all died in the wilderness)... “Be hostile to the Midianites and strike them; 18for they have been hostile to you with their tricks, with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor and in the affair of Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, their sister who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor.”
Números 26
Calvin has an interesting comment - “Why Moses should expressly state the name of his mother, contrary to the usual custom of Scripture, does not clearly appear; for it is not likely that he did this as a distinction to his own family, because he at the same time shows how he himself, as well as his children, was deprived of the honor of the priesthood, in which there is no appearance of ambition. It is more probable, if the word daughter is literally taken, that he did not conceal a disgraceful circumstance, in order to extol more highly the indulgence of God; for in this case, Moses and Aaron sprang of an incestuous marriage, since Amram their father must have married his aunt, which natural modesty forbids. It will then be rather an ingenuous confession of family dishonor, than an ambitious boast.” Numbers 26:60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Nu 3:2,8 Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE FOUR SONS OF AARON THE PRIEST To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar - Numbers 3:2 "These then are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar." Numbers 3:8 describes their duties "They shall also keep all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, along with the duties of the sons of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle." Bush - Here the names of Moses’ children, Gershon and Eleazar, are again omitted, and only those of Aaron mentioned. Numbers 26:61 But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the LORD. Nu 3:4 Lev 10:1-2 1Ch 24:1,2 Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries REMINDER OF THE DANGER OF OFFERING STRANGE FIRE But (term of contrast) Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the LORD - This is recorded in Leviticus 10 (see commentary) This event served as a warning to the Levites that they must carry out their (potentially dangerous) duties with a sense of reverential fear and careful attention to guarding the holiness of God lest they suffer a similar fate. Scripture records that Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas clearly did not heed the warning for they were "worthless men who did not know the LORD." (1 Sa 2:12) and " the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD." (1 Sa 2:17, cf 1 Sa 2:22) and after the "ark of God was taken...the two sons of Eli Hophni and Phinehas died." (1 Sa 4:11). Lev 10:1-2+ Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. NET Note - The expression אֵשׁ זָרָה (’esh zarah, “strange fire”) seems imprecise and has been interpreted numerous ways (see the helpful summary in J. E. Hartley, Leviticus [WBC 4], 132–33). The infraction may have involved any of the following or a combination thereof: (1) using coals from some place other than the burnt offering altar (i.e., “unauthorized coals” according to J. Milgrom, Leviticus [AB], 1:598; cf. Lev 16:12 and cf. “unauthorized person” [אִישׁ זָר, ’ish zar] in Num 16:40 [17:5 HT], NASB “layman”), (2) using the wrong kind of incense (cf. the Exod 30:9 regulation against “strange incense” [קְטֹרֶת זָרָה, qétoret zarah] on the incense altar and the possible connection to Exod 30:34–38), (3) performing an incense offering at an unprescribed time (B. A. Levine, Leviticus [JPSTC], 59), or (4) entering the Holy of Holies at an inappropriate time (Lev 16:1–2). Question: What is the meaning of the strange fire in Leviticus 10:1? Answer: In order to understand the phrase “strange fire,” we must review the story in Leviticus in which it appears. The first tabernacle had been erected, and Aaron was doing a lot of sacrificing per God’s instructions (Leviticus 8—9). One day, two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, came along and offered incense with “strange fire.” The Hebrew word translated “strange” means “unauthorized, foreign, or profane.” God not only rejected their sacrifice; He found it so offensive that He consumed the two men with fire. After Nadab and Abihu were killed, Moses explained to Aaron why God had done such a harsh thing: “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: ‘Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored’” (Leviticus 10:3). The exact nature of the profane fire isn’t known, but, since it was the fire that was unauthorized, it could be that Nadab and Abihu were burning the incense with fire of their own making rather than taking fire from the altar, as specified in Leviticus 16:12. Or it could have been that the two men came into the tabernacle drunk and therefore could not remember what was a violation and what was not (Leviticus 10:8–9). Whatever it was the men did to render the offering profane, it was a sign of their disregard for the utter holiness of God and the need to honor and obey Him in solemn and holy fear. Their carelessness and irreverence were their downfall. In judging Nadab and Abihu for their strange fire, God was making a point to all the other priests who would serve in His tabernacle—and later, in His temple—and to us, as well. Since this was the first time sacrifices were being offered on the altar and Israel was getting to know the living God better, when Aaron’s sons were disobedient and profane, God displayed His displeasure in no uncertain terms. God was not going to allow the disobedience of Aaron’s sons to set a precedent for future disregard of His Law. A similar story occurs in Acts 5:1–11, during the time of the early church. A husband and wife lie to Peter about some land given to the church, and they are judged with physical death because of their lie. As Peter puts it, “You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (Acts 5:4). God knows our hearts. He knows what we truly believe and our attitude toward Him. We cannot offer to Him proud “sacrifices” that are unworthy of Him. He seeks those who come to Him in humility, ready to sacrifice their pride and lay before Him humble and contrite hearts grieving for sin (Psalm 51:17). Certainly, there is grace and forgiveness and plenty of “second chances” for those who belong to Him. But God wants us to know that He is serious when it comes to His honor and glory. If there is willful disobedience in the life of a believer, then God disciplines us out of His great love for us (Hebrews 12:7–11). If such disobedience continues, God will take harsher measures until we understand how we are disappointing Him. If we continue in our disobedience even after that, then God has every right to remove us from this earth (see 1 Corinthians 11:29–30). GotQuestions.org Numbers 26:62 Those who were numbered of them were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward, for they were not numbered among the sons of Israel since no inheritance was given to them among the sons of Israel. those Nu 1:49 Nu 3:39 Nu 4:27,48 Nu 18:20-24 35:2-8 De 10:9 14:27-29 18:1,2 Jos 13:14,33 14:3 they were not: Nu 1:49 because: Nu 18:20-24 35:2-8 De 10:9 14:27-29 18:1,2 Jos 13:14,33 14:3 Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LEVITES NUMBERED SEPARATELY Those who were numbered of them were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward, for they were not numbered among the sons of Israel since no inheritance was given to them among the sons of Israel - Compare to the initial census in Nu 3:39+ - "All the numbered men of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of the LORD by their families, every male from a month old and upward, were 22,000." The Levites were not numbered with the others because they were not to go to war and were not to receive an inheritance of land. Nu 18:21 (cf Nu 18:24, 26) describes the inheritance of the Levites = "To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting." Numbers 26:63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Plains of Moab opposite Jericho These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho - This serves like a "divine bookend" that describes all those who will be allowed to enter the promised land. All those originally counted, except Joshua, Caleb and Moses, had died (Nu 26:63–65) Numbers 26:64 But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. Nu 1:1-2:34 De 2:14,15 4:3,4 1Co 10:5 Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NOT A MAN LEFT OF ORIGINAL CENSUS But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai - Reiteration that the first generation was not included in this census because they all died in the wilderness. This serves to emphasize the vital truth we must all acknowledge, that the wages of sin is death (Ro 6:23+). Bush - This is stated in order to show how punctual the Most High had been in executing the threatening so emphatically pronounced against the murmurers of a former generation, ch. 14:23, 28, 29. Of the vast total of upwards of 600,000 then enumerated, Caleb and Joshua alone had their names registered in the present census. This, however, is to be understood with a peculiar qualification. It is evident from Josh. 14:1, Josh 22:13, that both Eleazar and Phinehas did actually enter into the promised land. How is this consistent with the statement here made? We reply that the sentence of exclusion applied to the other tribes which were enumerated on two former occasions, and in which the Levites were not embraced. We do not read that they had any share in the transaction which brought the divine denunciation upon the mass of the people. (ED: INTERESTING!) This tribe did not, like the others, send a spy into Canaan, nor does it appear that it concurred in the general murmuring which the report of the spies occasioned. (ED: And we know Phinehas was reckoned as righteous - his actions did not not earn him righteousness, but instead demonstrated that he was righteous by faith, not works. - see Ps 106:30-31) Related Resource: How many Israelites left Egypt in the exodus? | GotQuestions.org Numbers 26:65 For the LORD had said of them, "They shall surely die in the wilderness." And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. They shall: Nu 14:23,24,28-30,35,38 Ex 12:37 De 2:14,15 32:49,50 Ps 90:3-7 Ro 11:22 1Co 10:5,6 Heb 3:17,18 Jude 1:5 except: Nu 14:30,38 Numbers 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Nu 14:22-23+ “Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. Numbers 14:28-30+ “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; 29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. 30 ‘Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Numbers 14:38+ But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. YAHWEH'S PROMISE OF PUNISHMENT FULFILLED For - Term of explanation. Explains why none of the first generation were counted in this census. Allen - The texts lays emphasis on the expression “not one of them” (vv.64–65). This, of course, speaks of the sure righteousness of the Lord. But the survival of Caleb and Joshua reminds us of the grace of the Lord, who keeps his promise to save, even as he remembers his oath to punish. The LORD had said of them, "They shall surely die in the wilderness." And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun - Note the repeat phrase not a man (also in Nu 26:64) which lends definite emphasis to the point. God had made a prophetic pronouncement of punishment for the people who disbelieved (they will surely die in the wilderness) and Moses records the fulfillment of that promise. Many tends to discount God's warnings that those who refuse His offer of salvation in Christ will not enter the promised land fo Heaven and the Millennium. In this sense every person born (and who dies before the age of accountability) is "numbered in the census" of Adam (Romans 5:12+) and is doomed to die in the wilderness of this world and forever and ever in the lake of fire. This is a hard saying for sure but even in giving this dire warning of doom in "duplicate", Jesus balanced the bad news with the gracious offer of the good news of the hope of eternal life when He declared... “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am [He] (I AM = EGO EIMI = JEHOVAH - Ex 3:14+), you will die in your sins.” (John 8:28). The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:10+) “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." -- Acts 16:31+ G Campbell