Through the Bible: NumbersSample

Generation of Unbelief or Generation of Faith?

So these are the results of the registration of the people of Israel as conducted by Moses and Eleazar the priest on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho. Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. For the Lord had told those Israelites they would surely die in the wilderness, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 

Numbers 26:63-65 (NLT) 

The first census of the Israelites (Numbers 1) recorded 603,550 men to take on the Promised Land. But 38 years later (Numbers 26), they counted 601,730 men from the second census – with 0.3% difference in both censuses. It is expected for a nation to grow across generations but the Israelite nation stagnated in population and spiritual state. The men of Israel engaged in sexual immorality with foreign women and started practicing pagan idolatry. Their desire for pleasure caused them to loosen their spiritual commitment. Many died in punishment of their sins. The 38 years in the wilderness were years of no growth until the whole generation of unbelief from the first census (except Joshua and Caleb) died and a generation of faith had arisen, one bold enough to enter the Promised Land. 

These census records encourage us to examine whether we are among the unbelief that loses themselves in the wilderness of this world, or if we are among those who believe in God and have life in all its fullest.

Prayer: 

Father, may You teach us Your ways and guide us through the path of righteousness so that we can have life in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.