Families as Armies

Our family attempts to read the Bible through each year reading to one another out loud. Now, we are reading through Numbers. Here are a few of the things I have attempted to show our family about the book.

What is the theme of Numbers?
The 40 years of wilderness wanderings and the consequences of obedience and disobedience of the people

How many times is the word “wilderness’ mentioned?
39 times

Where did the forty year journey start and end?
Kadesh Barnea

Outline:
Two generations (1-14; 21-36)
Two numberings ch 1 ch 26
Two sets of instructions 5-9; 28-36

The book of Numbers begins with heads of households reciting their geneaologies and the number of fighting men twenty years old and above. These families were posted in various positions around the Tabernacle and performed particular services to the Lord. Each family had significant strength of numbers. For example the sons of Reuben were 46,500, while Simeon had 59,300. Judah had the most fighting men at 74,600 while Manasseh has the least, at 32,200 . Here are some observations:

1. They have an intimate understanding of the status of their families and were able to recite their genealogies in detail.

2. They have an awareness of the numerical strength of their families, because the numerical strength of their families mattered to them.

3. The strength of these families is staggering.

4. The families worked together in the service of the Lord.

5. There was a division of labor according to families as families specialized in particular tasks.

6. Several times, these families are called "armies"

Here are some implications of these numbers:

First, a statement: If you want to perform more service to the Lord, have lots of children.

Second, a question: is your whole family mobilized for the service of the Lord as they were here?

Third, a proposition: our modern day idea of birth control influences the numerical strength of the church.

Fourth, are the families in your church organized together into a division of labor which places particular families performing particular duties?