Numbers 26:1
After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest,
After the plague had ended
This phrase refers to the aftermath of a significant event in Israel's journey through the wilderness. The plague mentioned here is the one that occurred as a result of Israel's sin with the Moabite women and their worship of Baal of Peor, as described in Numbers 25. This event highlights the recurring theme of Israel's disobedience and God's judgment, followed by His mercy and restoration. The ending of the plague signifies a moment of transition and a new beginning for the Israelites, emphasizing God's continued guidance and the importance of obedience to His commands.

the LORD said to Moses
Moses is the central human figure in the Pentateuch, serving as the leader and mediator between God and the Israelites. This phrase underscores the direct communication between God and Moses, a unique relationship that sets Moses apart as a prophet and leader. It also reflects the theocratic nature of Israel's governance, where God directly instructs His chosen leader. This divine communication is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His active role in guiding His people.

and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest
Eleazar, the son of Aaron, had assumed the role of high priest following the death of his father. This phrase highlights the continuity of the priestly line and the importance of the priesthood in Israel's religious life. The mention of Eleazar signifies the transition of leadership within the priesthood and the ongoing responsibility of the priests to maintain the spiritual well-being of the nation. The priesthood serves as a type of Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest, mediating between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who speaks to Moses and Eleazar, guiding them in leadership and decision-making.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

3. Eleazar
The son of Aaron, serving as the high priest after Aaron's death, responsible for spiritual leadership and priestly duties.

4. The Plague
A divine judgment that had recently occurred, serving as a backdrop for the census that God commands.

5. Israelite Camp
The setting where the Israelites are encamped, preparing to enter the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Judgment
God is sovereign over life and death, as seen in the plague. His judgments are just and serve as a call to holiness.

Leadership and Responsibility
Moses and Eleazar are examples of faithful leadership. God entrusts leaders with the responsibility to guide His people according to His will.

Transition and New Beginnings
The census marks a transition from the old generation to the new, reminding us of the importance of preparing the next generation for God's promises.

Obedience and Consequences
The context of the plague underscores the consequences of disobedience. We are called to live in obedience to God’s commands.

Community and Accountability
The census reflects the communal nature of Israel’s identity. Believers today are part of a spiritual community, accountable to one another and to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of the plague in Numbers 26:1 inform our understanding of God's holiness and justice?

2. In what ways can we see the importance of godly leadership in the roles of Moses and Eleazar, and how can we apply this to leadership in the church today?

3. What lessons can we learn from the transition between generations in Israel, and how can we apply these lessons to mentoring and discipling the next generation?

4. How does the concept of a census in Numbers 26 relate to the idea of being counted among God's people today, and what does this mean for our identity in Christ?

5. Reflecting on the consequences of disobedience seen in the plague, how can we cultivate a lifestyle of obedience and accountability within our Christian communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The incident of the golden calf, which also resulted in a plague, showing a pattern of Israel's disobedience and God's judgment.

Numbers 1
The first census of Israel, which parallels this second census, highlighting the transition from the old generation to the new.

Psalm 90
A reflection on the brevity of life and the importance of numbering our days, relevant to the context of the census.

1 Corinthians 10
Paul’s warning to the Corinthians using Israel’s history as an example, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Aaron, 26, Disease, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Pass, Plague, Priest, Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-2

     7377   high priest, OT

Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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