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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Numbers 1:2
Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.
Contrary to a lot of public debate - God is into numbers.
We now start a whole book on them. Most antagonists quote David’s counting of his fighting men in 1 Chronicles 21. That was done purely to feed his ego and even Joab tried to stop him.
Numbers can be used for all sorts of reasons but of themselves, they are amoral. We’ve all heard the expression, “Lies, deliberate lies and statistics.” However, numbers in the right context are useful.
One of the other ‘problems’ we have with numbers is that they can make us accountable. How many people have you witnessed to? How many neighbours and work colleagues know of your faith in Christ Jesus? How much of your money is dedicated and given to the Lord and His ministries? How much of your time is spent in an intimate relationship with Jesus? Challenging, accountable questions, aren’t they? Do you realise God actually knows the answer to each of them?
In our Western-world-Christianity, we would rather hide behind the word ‘grace’ which we comfortably interpret as “I don’t have to do anything, or be accountable to anyone.” However, as James reminds us - “I will show you my faith by what I do” (James 2:18).
Should we bring numbers into the Church context? Yes, I believe we should or we can become very complacent. How many people have been introduced to Christianity through your church this year? How many have been water baptised, giving public confession to their faith? How many small/Cell Groups have been added this year? How many more people are in small/Cell Groups? How many leaders have been trained and released into their ministry? Those are just a few ideas to assist accountability.
Looking back at Numbers 1, we notice that 12 tribes were numbered. What is interesting is that Joseph’s tribe has been divided into two. Ephraim and Manasseh. As Jacob had 12 sons - Ephraim and Manasseh being Joseph’s sons - who’s missing? Answer - Levi. The whole tribe of Levi is excluded from the count - because they have been set aside for the service of the Lord in the Tabernacle.
If you have time and want an additional interesting study, look up all the Scriptures relating to the 12 tribes of Israel and see the variations which are given and then try and work out why there appear to be discrepancies. (If you don’t know where to begin, try Revelation 7:5-8.)
So remember, we are accountable to God in every aspect of our lives. But don’t use numbers to puff you up, feed your ego, or to compare yourself, your church or your ministry with others, but rather to keep you ever humble. (Don’t let them bring you into condemnation either.)
Take a moment or two to go through my list again. Then challenge yourself to make new goals for this year, then strategise and start making steps towards making them happen.
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