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]

 
   

 
 

 
 

 Numbers 3-4: Levites