Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP

4 January 2025

Texts: Genesis 22:15-18; 46:26-27; Numbers 1:44-46

Title: “Take a census of all the children of Israel” Numbers 1:2

INTRODUCTION

1. The Book of Numbers

a) A new book

b) Additional insights of the children of Israel

c) A continuation of the history of Israel

2. Significant Lessons

a) Census-taking for the Present

b) Planning for the Future

c) Preparing to enter into the land of Canaan

A GREAT BLESSING PROMISED

15 Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,

16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—

17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

Genesis 22:15-18

1. Blessing of Abraham declared

2. Descendants promised

3. All nations of the earth to be blessed

4. Because of Abraham’s faith and obedience

THE SOJOURN IN EGYPT

26 All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all.

27 And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.

Genesis 46:26-27

1. Only 66 people went from Canaan to Egypt

2. Joseph and family- 4 more people

3. Altogether, they were only 70 people

4. A humble beginning to a great promise of blessing!

CENSUS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ABLE TO GO TO WAR

44 These are the ones who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, with the leaders of Israel, twelve men, each one representing his father’s house.

45 So all who were numbered of the children of Israel, by their fathers’ houses, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war in Israel—

46 all who were numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.

Numbers 1:44-46

1. 603,550

a) Twenty years and above

b) Able to fight for the nation

2. From 70 people to 603, 550 warriors

a) The Lord’s word of promise was fulfilled

b) God had kept His word

DETAILS OF THE SIZE OF INDIVIDUAL TRIBES

1. Reuben: 46,500
Numbers 1:21

2. Simeon: 59,300
Numbers 1:23

3. Gad: 45,650
Numbers 1:25

4. Judah: 74,600
Numbers 1:27

5. Issachar: 54,400
Numbers 1:29

6. Zebulun: 57,400
Numbers 1:31

7. Ephraim: 40,500
Numbers 1:33

8. Manasseh: 32,200
Numbers 1:35

9. Benjamin: 35,400
Numbers 1:37

10. Dan: 62,700
Numbers 1:39

11. Asher: 41,500
Numbers 1:41

12. Naphthali: 53,400
Numbers 1:43

RELEVANT LESSONS

1. Practical reasons why the Census was taken

a) Vital knowledge of the state of the nation

b) Plans will be affected by the size of the population

2. Preparing for entering into Canaan

a) To prepare for war

b) To prepare for land distribution

c) To strengthen and help each other

3. Powerful spiritual lessons

a) Knowledge of God

b) Trust in the Covenant of God

c) Faith to be developed

d) Confidence and Hope to face the future