Read: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15
After God cleansed the people by destroying all who participated in idolatry, he told Moses to count the people. In the King James it reads, “take the sum”. That is a term that means to shake the head. It reminds me of threshing the wheat to let the wind drive away the chaff and the good part remains. These people were the grain that remained. These were also just a count of war-aged men. There were 601,730.
It made a special effort to let us know that though Korah and his followers died because of their rebellion in the earthquake, their children remained and continued their line. What happened to Korah and his followers stood as a warning sign of what happens when people oppose God’s anointed. We could use a reminder of that in our country.
Mary and Joseph did all the requirements of the law concerning having a first-born son and as they were leaving the temple, they just happened to run into Anna, the prophetess. She had married a man who died 7 years after their wedding date. She had remained in the temple praying and fasting for the redemption of Jerusalem since then and was now was 84 years of age. She came face to face with the redeemer of the world and gave thanks.
We don’t hear any more about Jesus till his famous line in the temple, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business.” I have blogged about this before so I won’t repeat it but this became Jesus motto. He was born to be about his Father’s business which was redeeming the world. They had looked for him for three days and finally found him. When Jesus died, he was “lost” for three days, then appeared to his disciples and calmed their fears.
Lord, we pray with the Psalmist: Give us aid against the enemy. With You we will gain the victory and you will trample down our enemies. Help us to be about your business today.
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