Numbers 26:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, that Moses did not count the people unless God told him to. David counted Israel on his own in his day, and he paid dearly for it. God was the true king of Israel, so this act of rule had to be done only by his clear command.

Moses may also have heard by this time of Balaam’s blessing, given under pressure against his own wishes, and of Balaam’s notice of Israel’s large numbers. Moses would have taken some comfort in that enemy testimony to Israel’s strength and honor, even though he did not yet know their exact number. Now God appointed him to count them.

Second, Eleazar was joined with Moses in this task, just as Aaron had been before him. In this way, God honored Eleazar before the elders of the people and made his future role clear.

Third, this census was taken right after the plague. That shows that although God had rightly argued with them through that deadly judgment, he had not destroyed them completely, and he would not cast them off altogether. God’s people may be sharply rebuked, but they will not be ruined.

Fourth, they were to use the same rule as in the earlier counting, listing only those able to go out to war. That was the work now before them.