Numbers 1:1-21
The teaching of Leviticus dealt with worship and fellowship. The book of Numbers resumes the story of the nation crossing the wilderness to speak to us of other aspects of the Christian life: walk and service. The LORD here proceeds to number ("Numbers") the tribes of Israel: soldiers, Levites, priests. Each one had to declare his descent (v. 18). Dear friends, every one of us must know in the very first instance if he is or is not a child of God. And he must be ready to confess it before others (Romans 10:9). But take care! All were Israelites whose parents belonged to one of the twelve tribes, but to be a Christian it is not sufficient merely to have Christian parents. It is not even necessary that they should be so. You are a Christian when you believe personally on the Lord Jesus Christ. You then form a part of this heavenly people of whom God takes exact account, and thoroughly up-to-date, in His "register of births", or rather in His Book of Life. If today you come to Jesus, your name will be written down in it. And with joyful assurance you also will be able to declare your descent. For to "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12).