Tuesday Scripture and Prayer: Numbers 1
It's Gotta Be Intentional
----------
These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family.
All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families.
The total number was 603,550.
------------
The book of Numbers said there were 600,000 men of fighting age following Moses in the wilderness. Add in the rest of the family, and it's safe to say the total group would have numbered around 2 million.
I'm amazed when I go to a family reunion and discover how many kinfolks, inlaws, and outlaws we've got. But all of these folks were descended from Jacob and his 12 sons. From Jacob to Moses? Seven generations. Twelve to 2 million in 7 generations? That's IMPRESSIVE.
This leaves us with a couple of possibilities. Perhaps the Israelites were the most prolific people in history. That would have left them very little time to do any work for Pharaoh. They must have been BUSY.
Or it's possible that this march of God was like a snowball traveling down hill. Maybe this bunch of ragtag slaves met others on the way. Maybe the nobodies became somebody as they were welcomed into the family of God.
Even so, that kind of growth couldn't have happened accidentally. It would have to be intentional. If so, then the movement of Exodus--from nobody to somebody--was evangelical from the beginning.
Today we see a lot of anger from people who feel devalued and abused. They feel their lives don't matter. At the end of the day, they won't find the affirmation they need from Pharaoh.
The people of God CAN offer the journey they need. From nothing to something. From nobody to somebody. From isolation to the family of God.
But even now, it will have to be intentional.
-------------
Come ye that love the Lord
and let your joys be known
Join in a song with sweet accord
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne
And thus surround the throne
We're marching to Zion
Beautiful, beautiful Zion
We're marching upward to Zion
The beautiful city of God