CENSUS OF THE PEOPLE God guided them and was their King (1 Sam 12:12). He provided for them, thus He ordered that the congregation be counted for the second time. The people were counted first when Moses spoke to all the congregation of Israel asking them to give offerings to the Lord to build the Tabernacle (Ex. 38:25,26). However the first was not registered by tribe, as this one did, and this was for divine purposes: 1- To confirm the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of Abraham's descendants (Gen. 28:14), that they may follow his faith. 2- To assert the concern of God to everyone of His people for He is the Shepherd of Israel (Ps. 80:1). 3- To separate between the real Israelite and the foreigner, and this is not for any discrimination purposes, but that all can be drawn near Him (Eph. 2:14). 4- Because God is the Author of Peace, not confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). 5- Concern about the genealogy of the people of Israel so that when Jesus comes His genealogy and identity are confirmed. A) This census was achieved in the start of the second month of the second year of the Exodus. God wanted to assert to His people that their names were registered after their separation from Satan (Pharaoh) and their denouncing him. Their enjoyment of the privileges of the second birth through Baptism (in Suph sea). Their struggle against all the powers of darkness (Gaints). Their privilege of enjoying the heavenly word of God (Mannah) and quenching their thirst through Christ (the Rock). Their attainment of a life of virtue through God's dwelling among them (Tabernacle); and a permanent union with God through the Holy Sacrifice (offerings, sacrifices) and the divine commandment (His Laws). B) The Characteristics that God determined in the census were: Males only, not females because of their ability for war. The symbolic explanation is their maturity and strife in faith (1 Cor. 16:13). Those who are twenty years or older, which is an indication of spiritual maturity beyond the weakness of childhood (1 Cor 13:11), they have the ability to fight in war, and face the enemy (the Devil). They belong to God's holy people and are members of the unified Church of God. As for the levities they were exempted because they belong to God. They have no other obligations or duties except to worship God and serve the congregation spiritually. C) To accomplish census, it was necessary to choose a leader for each tribe to assist Moses and Aaron. This was an assertion of the affective role that the people had in the leadership of the church. It happened that the names of the leaders of the tribes matched the meaning of the tribes' names. 1- Reuben (Son of Revelation): Elizur (God is my Refuge). He who has a revelation of faith, acknowledges God as his refuge. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 7 2- Simeon (The hearing one): Shelumiel (God is peace) whoever hearken unto the Lord is filled with His peace. 3- Judah (Confession)- Nahshon (serpent), who confess unto the Lord tramples on the Serpent. 4- Issachar (Retribution): Nethanel (Gift of God). The reward is a gift of God and not his own making. 5- Zebulun (Dwelling): Eliab (My God is my father). Whoever becomes a dwelling place for God will enjoy His Fatherhood. 6- Ephraim (Fruitful): Elishama (My God Heard). Being fruitful is the result of God hearing to our demands. 7- Manasseh (To forget): Gamaliel (God is my reward). Whoever forgets vain glory, has God as his reward. 8- Benjamin (Son of the right): Abidan (My father condemns). We may enjoy being on the right Hand of God if we look upon Him as our Condemner, our final Judge. 9- Dan (Condemn): Ahiezer (My brother is my aid). As long as man blames himself or condemns himself, his brother will come to his aid and relieve him. 10- Asher (Happy): Pagiel (God met me). There is no true happiness without God. 11- Gad (Strict): Eliasaph (God gives hospitality). Whoever exercises self-control and firmness, the Lord will grant him spiritual growth. 12- Naphtali (Immense, Big): Ahira (My brother is evil). Who- ever's heart is full of love, he can tolerate an evil brother. D) Counting the children of Israel started with the sons of Leah, Rachel, then the two slave-maidens without relevance to the date of birth.
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