Numbers 1:17
So Moses and Aaron took these men who had been designated by name,
So Moses and Aaron
Moses and Aaron are central figures in the narrative of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses, chosen by God to lead His people, is a prophet and lawgiver, while Aaron, his brother, serves as the first high priest. Their leadership roles are divinely appointed, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands. This partnership reflects the dual roles of leadership and priesthood, which are later fulfilled in Jesus Christ as both King and High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

took these men
The act of taking these men signifies the beginning of a formal process of organization among the tribes of Israel. This is a preparatory step for the census, which is crucial for establishing the military and social structure of the nation. The selection of leaders from each tribe underscores the importance of order and governance in the community, reflecting God's desire for structure and accountability among His people.

who had been designated by name
The designation by name indicates a personal and specific choice, highlighting the importance of individual responsibility and calling within the community. This mirrors the biblical theme of God knowing His people by name (Isaiah 43:1), emphasizing His intimate knowledge and care for each person. The chosen men represent their respective tribes, ensuring that each tribe has a voice and a role in the collective journey and mission of Israel. This foreshadows the New Testament concept of the body of Christ, where each member has a unique function and purpose (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Moses is a central figure in the Pentateuch and is known for his close relationship with God.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. Aaron played a significant role in assisting Moses and serving as a spokesperson.

3. The Designated Men
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel, chosen by God to assist Moses and Aaron in the census and organization of the people.

4. Israel
The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob. At this point in the account, they are in the wilderness, preparing to enter the Promised Land.

5. The Census
An event commanded by God to count the men of Israel who were able to go to war. This was a crucial step in organizing the nation for their journey and future battles.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Leadership
God appoints leaders to guide His people. Just as Moses and Aaron were chosen, God continues to call individuals to lead in various capacities within the church and community.

Obedience to God's Commands
The census was a direct command from God, and Moses and Aaron's obedience highlights the importance of following God's instructions, even in administrative tasks.

Community and Organization
The organization of the tribes and the appointment of leaders demonstrate the value of structure within a community. This principle applies to church organization and personal life management.

God's Sovereignty in Selection
The men were designated by name, indicating God's sovereign choice in leadership. This reminds us that God knows us personally and has a plan for each of us.

Preparation for the Future
The census was a preparation for future challenges. Similarly, we should prepare spiritually and practically for the challenges we may face.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the appointment of leaders in Numbers 1:17 reflect God's order and structure for His people, and how can this be applied in the church today?

2. In what ways does the obedience of Moses and Aaron to God's command to take a census challenge us to be obedient in our own lives?

3. How can understanding God's sovereignty in choosing leaders help us trust His plan for our lives and the leadership in our communities?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to prepare for future challenges, both individually and as a church community, as seen in the preparation of the Israelites?

5. How does the concept of being "designated by name" encourage us in our personal walk with God, knowing that He knows us individually and has a purpose for us?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 6:26-27
This passage lists Moses and Aaron as the ones who led the Israelites out of Egypt, establishing their leadership roles.

Numbers 1:1-16
Provides the context for Numbers 1:17, detailing God's command to take a census and the appointment of leaders from each tribe.

1 Chronicles 27:1-15
Describes another instance of organizing the people of Israel, showing the importance of structure and leadership in the community.

Acts 6:1-7
In the New Testament, the appointment of deacons to assist the apostles reflects a similar need for designated leaders to manage the growing church.
The Pedigree DeclaredC. H. Mackintosh.
People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Egypt, Sinai
Topics
Aaron, Defined, Designated, Expressed, Marked, Mentioned, Named, Names, Pointed, Taketh
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 1:1-49

     5249   census

Numbers 1:17-19

     5266   conscription
     7206   community

Library
The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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