From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and

Num 1:3  From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 

                                                                 

We have here a commission issued out for the numbering of the people of Israel. This took place in the second year after they came out of Egypt and in the wilderness of Sinai. The women, children, the Levites, old men, weak ones, and those below twenty years old, were excluded in the census. Only those men who were twenty years old and above and who were able to go to war were numbered.

Why was it necessary to conduct the census? I think one reason is to prove the accomplishment of the promise made to Abraham that God would multiply his seed exceedingly (Genesis 15:5). The number of the men twenty and above and were able to go to war was 603, 550. When we add in the Levites, the women, children, old and weak men, the number would easily exceed 2 million. God is sending this message to the children of Israel: I have kept my promise to your father Abraham.

The age of service fixed at twenty for the men of the tribes is also a spiritual lesson for all of us. God expects all the able-bodied young men to serve Him. Who is going to fight the war for Israel? Are the young men to sit down and let the women and old folks do it? Obviously not! Likewise, God has entrusted the work of the church to the men (1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:8; 3:1). The pillars of the early churches were men (Galatians 2:9). The apostles were men.

Paul exhorted the men of the church in Corinth to: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). The expression, “quit you like men” means “play the men”, meaning, “play your part as a man.” It is the will of God that the men are to lead in the work of the church (1 Timothy 4:12).

It does not mean that the Christian women have nothing to do. When men go out to war, the women stay at home and take care of the children and old folks. They prepare the meals and sew clothing for the men at the battlefront. Likewise, in the church, women are to teach the younger women, children, prepare the Lord’s Supper, wash the baptism clothing, prepare meals for the agape feasts, visit the sick brethren and prepare meals for the live alone widows and widowers during the day, keep the building clean, and encourage one another (2 Timothy 2:4-5; Acts 9:36-39).

The leadership of the work of the church belongs to the men. Young men, God has given you talents. Many of you are graduates and you excel in your fields; God will call you to account for the talents He has given you (Matthew 25:19). With more talents that you have, also come more responsibilities: "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more," (Luke 12:48, ESV).

It is sad that members of the Church are strangely ignorant of their duty to return their talents to God. But, like the man with one talent, they come up with many excuses why they cannot be in God’s army. Many say they are too busy. Will God accept their excuse? (Matthew 25:30).

We also see that there was no time fixed for the end of the service to which the Israelites were summoned. As long as a man is fit, he is to remain in the army. In the New Testament, we do not read of any of the apostles retiring from the work of God. In fact, they fought to the end (2 Timothy 4:7).

Where are our men who are in their thirties and forties? Are they too busy with their careers and families as to neglect the work of God? How about our men in their fifties and sixties and who are still fit to serve? Have they retired? Should they?

God will hold another census. That day comes when the book of life is opened. Brethren, is your name written in the book of life? Do you know what is written beside your name in the book of life? It is a record of your works: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelations 20:12).

In the examination hall when the time is up, the invigilator says: “Pens down, hand in your work.” Likewise, when this life is over, God says: “Hand in your works.” Are you listening? 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.