# Numbers 1-4: First Census

## Numbers 1-2: The First Census

- Why count the people? \[Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty 1\] 
    - To confirm God's promise to Abraham that his descendants will be multiplied
    - To assert the concern of God to everyone of His people that He is the Shepherd and He knows His sheep
    - To separate between the Israelite and the foreigner, that all may draw near to Him (Eph 2:14)
    - Because God is a God of Order not confusion
    - To ensure a documented genealogy of the people of Israel so that the identity of Christ can be confirmed and validated when He comes
- Why did God wait to count the people? \[Origen 1.2.2, Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty 1\] 
    - After they were separated from Satan (Pharaoh)
    - After they have gone through the second birth through Baptism (Red Sea)
    - After they had struggled against the powers of darkness (Amalekites)
    - After they had consumed the Bread of Life and the Living Water (Manna and Water from Rock)
    - After they had heard the word of God in His commandment (The Law)
    - After they had attained a life of virtue through God's dwelling (Tabernacle)
    - After they had obtained a permanent union with God through sacrifice (Sacrifices)
    - Then they were counted
- How did they do the census? 
    - Each tribe had a leader chosen by God
    - The names of the leaders correspond to that of the tribe (see Fr Tadros Yacoub Malaty on Ch 2)
- Why didn't they count women, children, slaves? \[Origen 1.1.1\] 
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[![image-1620716251670.png](https://notes.morcous.com/uploads/images/gallery/2021-05/scaled-1680-/image-1620716251670.png)](https://notes.morcous.com/uploads/images/gallery/2021-05/image-1620716251670.png)

## Numbers 3-4: Levites

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