Record

 “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head.

Numbers 1:2 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/num.1.2.ESV

Why did God command Moses to take a census? After all, David was punished for taking a census. David however was putting his trust in his numbers of fighting men, rather than in the Lord.

The difference with Moses was that God wanted him to make a record of His goodness to His people. The God who promised Abraham his descendants would be innumerable was beginning to fulfil his promise. Now, the numbers of those who share Abraham's faith are truly innumerable, even though people try to estimate according to those who profess faith.

Love keeps no record of wrongs, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13. Love does keep a record of rights, as Moses illustrates in Numbers. God looked after His people all through their wilderness wanderings; and He'll look after us too in our earthly pilgrimages.

As the old hymn goes, 'count your blessings, count them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done'. The book of Numbers is an attempt to do the impossible: to count God's blessings to His people, which are innumerable. For us in the new covenant, we have eternity to look forward to with our Lord and Saviour.

'Almighty Lord God, thank You for keeping a record of rights. Please help us to count our blessings too, and overflow with praise for You. In Christ's name, amen'

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