After three and a half years on the trail, the Israelites reached Kadish Barnea, and the leaders set out twelve spies, to spy out the land and make a report back to the congregation. The people did not have the faith to trust in the Lord that He would lead the way and give them their victory of the heathen nations that possessed the land. So they took a vote amongst the people, and decided that it was to dangerous to enter into the land with the giants and other walled cities so secure. Because of this rebellion, God promised them in Numbers 14:29; "Your carcases shall fall in the wilderness: and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against Me,"

Numbers 14:30 "Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun"

At this time also there was a rebellion forming with Korah leading the group, for they were undermining Moses' power to lead the people, and the faith of this small group in God had completely eroded away. The problem was that the people listened to these people, and sided against Moses. In fact Miriam and Aaron even lost their faith in Moses' leadership, and started to question the fact that God gave him more attention then them. For this mistrust God caused Leprosy to fall on Miriam, and Moses and Aaron went to God to have the Leprosy removed from her.

Because of all this mistrust, God told Aaron that he would not enter into the promise land, that he would die like the others on the trail in the wilderness. Miriam also died before they reached the Promise land; and now the Israelites are camped at the border of the promise land. They are just across the river from Jericho, and all the adults that did not trust God back in Kadesh-Barnea, have by this time died. Moses will be dead within a few month, but while this is taking place, he also will be giving his message to the people, which we call the book of Deuteronomy. The Israelites have been well tested, and those nations on the east side of the Jordan that tried to cast their spells, and threaten Israel, have been suppressed, killed or scattered, to where the Israelites now control their land, and that land will become part of their inheritance.

However before the Israelites can cross over Jordan, and start taking city after city, and nation after nation, it is time to reform their army, and put order back into their ranks. As we study this chapter, notice that if a man does not become part of that army, and be numbered amongst the troops, that person will not be given an allotment of land for an inheritance for his family when the battles are over and the victory is won. The Israelites had a taste of fooling around with the heathen gods, and it cost 24,000 lives before Moses and the priesthood cleaned up the camp, by killing all those that took part in the apostasy. So its time to get a fresh numbering of the troops of the men of Israel, whereby each tribe will number and form their separate fighting units. We will see in the rest of this book of Numbers, it is dealing with the way that the land will be divided up, and the method of allotting it out to the people.

Numbers 26:1 "And it came to pass after the plague, that the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,"

This plague that came on the children of Israel, would have wiped out the adult population had Moses and Phinehas not put a stop to the idolatry. Before it was over many thousand were killed by the plague, or by stoning, from taking part in the worship of Baal, and Moelech idolatry, of the Moabites, Midianites, and the Ammonites. Remember that up on mount Hor, Aaron died and God told Moses to anointed his son Eleazar. Moses took the robes and mantle from Aaron and put them on Eleazar, and made him the High priest.

Numbers 26:2 " "Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel."

The Israelites had been in the wilderness for the past forty years, and all the men in that first numbering were dead at this time, so this numbering would be their children that were born in the wilderness, but many others were the small children coming out of Egypt. The only two that will remain alive to enter into the Promise land of Canaan to receive their inheritance were the two faithful spies Caleb and Joshua that gave a true report, and wanted to go in now and take the land.

Numbers 26:3 "And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,"

So the encampment at this time in the plains of Moab, was just across the Jordan river from Jericho. The action taken against Jericho is written in the book of Joshua.

Numbers 26:4 "Take the sum of the People, from twenty years old and up ward; as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt." 

The men that will be numbered in this numbering will be the army of the Israelites. They will moved against Jericho, Ai, and all the rest of the nations that occupied the Land of Canaan. If you are over nineteen and not numbered here, and do not take part in the action to secure the land, then there will be no inheritance for that person or his family. The threat of loosing your life was not as in a normal battle, because God promised that He would go before them and He would fight their fight. The only time where loss of life in this army would take place would be such as in the battle of Ai, but those problems of shutting God out of their plans ended and God gave them the victories, town after town, nation after nation, the victory was the Lords.

This is much the way it will be in these end times, only the battles of these end times are going to be Spiritual battles, fought with words, and ideas. YHVH our heavenly Father will not leave you alone to fight those battles either. For His Spirit, the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say when you are in that battle. When you are called up before the Synagogues of Satan to their councils, to the leaders and rulers of our time, God will actually place the words you are to say in your mind, and you will have the victory. Though prophesy places this battle at seven years, and three and a half years with Satan personally here on earth, Jesus reminded us in Revelation 9:5, 10 that this battle with Satan here had been shortened to five months.

Revelation 9:5 "And to them it was given that they [The people living in their flesh and blood bodies] should be torment five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man."

When this locust army of fallen angels are cast out onto the earth, Satan will have five months to cause the people living in their flesh body to bow to him and worship him. This is the great tribulation Jesus talked about, and warned us to be ready for, for those not sealed in their minds with the truth before hand, will go whoring after this false Christ, Satan. When a scorpion strikes a man, it attacks the nervous system, and causes that man to be unable to defend himself.

Jesus called attention to this in Matthew 24:21, 22; "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." [21] "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." [22]

So the question to each of us; Are you aware of that war coming, and can YHVH count you in to be prepared for that battle? The numbering of God's forces in these end times comes before the sixth trump, just as the numbering of these Israelites was before they crossed over Jordan, and went to battle to take the promise land. If you are numbered for the battle, then there will be rewards for you after the five month battle, when Jesus comes at the seventh and last trump. There is no half way, your in or your out of the numbering. You will have an inheritance or you will not.

Numbers 26:5 "Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:"

There is another difference between the first numbering and this second numbering, for in that first numbering, only the tribes were listed, but here the families take on an identity, for at the end of these battles in a very short time, the promise land will be divided by families, and only those families named here will get their allotment of land from their inheritance.

Numbers 26:6 "Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites."

"Hezron" means "Courtyard" and "Carmi" means "Gardener", the minds of their parents were on that time when they would be settled and permeate in their land.

Numbers 26:7 "These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of the were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty."

These four families of the Reubenites had a total of 43,730 men age 20 and over, that will be part of the army that will go in and take the promise land. This number had been reduced from the first numbering of their father, that had all died off in the wilderness. The numbering from Numbers 1:21 was 46,500 men. Many of the Reubenites were killed in the rebellion with Korah, when they tried to overthrow Moses and the High priest Aaron.

Leviticus 26:9 "For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish My covenant with you."

When you bless the Lord, He will bless you, and when you curse the Lord and His anointed, He can and will curse you. Reubenites took part in the cursing of the Lord and his anointed leaders over them, and they shrunk in numbers from the first to the second numbering. Leviticus 26:22 "I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children,..." God gives you the choice whether you want the blessings or the cursings of God to come your way.

Numbers 26:8 "And the sons of Pallu; Eliab."

These also are Reubenites, but they had the problem following Korah, and going against Moses and Aaron, the High priest.

Numbers 26:9 "And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is the Dethan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord."

Nemuel was the older brother of Dathan and Abiram, that joined up with Korah in his rebellion. These men were actually questioning the plan of God. Doubting that God would do what He said He would do, and give the victory to the Israelites. God selected Moses and Aaron, and He is the One that that told His servants what they were to do, and not do. Moses was the leader of the government, and Aaron was assigned by God to be the leader of the Priesthood.

Numbers 26:10 "(And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.)

This is reminding us what happened back during that rebellion that cost two hundred and fifty men and their families their lives. This "sign" in the Hebrew text is a "warning". The Lord brought the fire down from heaven, that devoured them. The ground opened and swallowed Dathan, Abiram, and Korah, and these other men were swallowed up by the fire.

Paul also calls these things to our attention in I Corinthians 10:11, stating that theses things are a warning ["Ensample"] to you and I living in this final generation of the latter days.

Numbers 26:11 "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not."

In Numbers 16:26 we are told that the children of Korah did not die along side of their father. When Moses told the people to separate themselves from these men that sinned, The children of Korah did not stay by Korah the father of their family in defiance, and they lived. The children of Dathan, and Abiram stuck by their defiant fathers and were consumed right along with their fathers.

Numbers 26:12 "The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:"

Numbers 26:13 "Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites."

Numbers 26:14 "These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred."

The families of the Simeonites were 22,200 men over the age of nineteen, that would be part of the army. They also would receive their lotted land for an inheritance. This tribe had decreased from the first numbering from Numbers 1:23 of 59,300 men able to serve in the army. Remember that Zumi, who was a prince of the tribe of Simeon, for he is the one that went into the tent with the Midianitish woman and whored around with the women and idols of the Midianites. Phinehas killed him and before the slaughter was over, twenty four thousand men were slain. All who had partaken of the heathen women and the religious practices.

There was a plague that occurred after this that took many lives. There were a large number of Simeonites that had joined themselves to Baal-peor like their leader prince had. If you do things God way; you will be fruitful and multiply: And if you do not, God will even rob you of your children.

Numbers 26:15 "The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:"

Numbers 26:16 "Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:"

"Ozni" is listed as "Ezbor" in Genesis 46:16, which comes from the translators errors in copying.

Numbers 26:17 "Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites."

Numbers 26:18 "These are the families of the children according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred."

The families of the Gadites numbered 40,500 men of the age of twenty and older for the army. The Gadites numbered 45,650 in the first numbering. There was a very small number in the decrease in this tribe.

Numbers 26:19 "The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan."

Because of Er's sins, God struck him dead; and God instructed Onan to take Er's wife Tamar to wife, to bring up seed or children in Er's name, but Onan refuse to do it. So Tamar presented herself by the roadside to Judah as a harlot, and Tamar conceived and had twin sons, as recorded in Genesis 38:11-30. Tamar went to Judah and revealed her plan, and the fruits of that plan, her and Judah's twin sons Pharez and Zarah. These to would carry the royality seed line down through the years, first one than the other. Onan refused to have children any children, even to Tamar.

Numbers 26:20 "And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites."

Numbers 26:21 "And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites."

Numbers 26:22 "These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred."

The tribe of Judah numbered 76,500 men at the second numbering. In the first numbering at the base of mount Sinai, the Judites numbered 74,600 men. So there was a increase of 1,900 men in this second generation over their fathers that came out of Egypt.

Numbers 26:23 "Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:"

It interesting that "Tola", in the Hebrew means a "word", and this Pua should read "Phuvah" which means "a blast" in Hebrew tongue. Names are interesting, and you can read the meaning of the names in Smiths Bible dictionary.

Numbers 26:24 "Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites."

Numbers 26:25 "These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred."

The families of the tribe of Issachar numbered 64,300 men for the army. In the first numbering, that record showed 54,400 men. Issachar's numbers increased by 9,900 men over their father's generation that died off in the wilderness.

Numbers 26:26 "Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.

Numbers 26:27 "These are the families of the Zebulunites according to that were numbered of them, threescore thouand and five hundred."

The tribe of Zebulun recorded 60,500 men for duty in the army. In that first numbering of Numbers 1:31, there were 57,400 men 20 years old and older, showing an increase of 2, 900 men ready for the army.

Numbers 26:28 "The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim."

The Word Manasseh means double fruit, and Joseph received double fruit and a double blessing when God blessed Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. So instead of seeing the tribe of Joseph, through the Scriptures, it will refer to either the tribe of Manasseh or Ephraim, or both of them.

Genesis 48:17, 18 "And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remover it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head." [17] "And Joseph said unto his Father, "Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head." [18]

As you think of the crossing of the arms, take a look at the crossing arms on the British flag of the union jack, a reminder of these verse, for Ephraim would be the greater of the two sons of Joseph, growing into a multitude of nation. So big that at one time the sun would not set of the British nations.

Manasseh, also received his blessing, and that blessing would be that he would grow and multiply into one large nation, so blessed that it would feed and lead the nations of the Word. The covenant blessing that is spoken of here is the Covenant Blessing that God gave to Abraham, that was in three parts, A blessing of Goods, of land and of a seed, and this covenant promise was Passed from Abraham to Isaac, then on to Jacob, and here Jacob passed that promise on to the firstborn of his love, Rachel, Joseph.

Genesis 48:19 "And his father refused, and said, I know it my son, I know it: he [Manasseh] also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations."

Manasseh was very great in number and he grew in power to be the mose powerful nation on earth, the United States of America.

Genesis 48:20 "And he blessed them that day, saying, "In thee shall Israel bless, sayng, `God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh:' " and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."

That tiny nation called Israel today is also important in bible prophecy, for when the Jews, returned to Palestine to set up their nation, that started the end generation, that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:32-34. The tribe of Judah and Benjamin, along with part of the tribe of Levi were the basket of good figs, and the Kenites, or sons of Cain through Satan, would be the bad figs that would return to Jerusalem in the latter days.

Matthew 24:32, 33 "Now learn the parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:" [32] "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these thing, know that it is near, even at the door." [33]

If Jesus is warning us that it is the utmost importance that we completely understand the parable of the fig tree, for that parable would give the Elect the key for understanding the events of our day. God works in a natural way, and Jesus is using the growth of a fig tree, to relate to us how it shall be in the end times. God used the prophet Jeremiah to warn us of these good and bad figs in Jeremiah 24, for the good figs were very good, the children of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, while the bad figs were and still are very bad, they are the Kenites that have blended in with the children of the old house of Judah, but are the sons of Cain, Kenites, that Jesus called the "tares", "children [seed] of the wicked one", in Matthew 13:38. Jesus faced these Kenite Scribes and Pharisees in John 8:44 and spelled out exactly who they were.

John 8:43, 44 "Why do ye not understand My speech? even because ye cannot hear my Words." [43] "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." [44]

If you are wonder how we can refer to these scribes and Pharisees and being Kenites and not of Judah, The Scriptures told us so very boldly, in I Chronicles 2:55; "And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez [Jerusalem in its unclean state]; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Scuhathites. These are the Kenties that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab." No, the Kenites are not of the seed of Abraham, but of the seed of Cain, the son of the union between Satan and Eve in the garden of Eden. Kenite means "sons of Cain" as given in # 7014, 7017 in Strong"s Hebrew Dictionary. So when the good and bad figs go back to Jersulem and set up their nation, that marks the start of the final generation of this age of flesh man.

Matthew 24:34 "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

God told us what to expect in this final generation and Israel, both Ephraim and Manasseh would be mighty nations, spanning the earth in their power, and blessings, and in a land filled with milk and honey. Is that a description of that little nation of the Jews? Not so, for The Balfore agreement came out of England, with the United States being the protector even to this day, of that tiny nation. The point to all of this discussion is that we are to wake up, and see the role in these end times that people of Ephraim and Manasseh will play, and that truly doesn't fit the description of the Jews and their nation. Each of these nations do play are role in the plan of God for our generation, and it is important to know where each of us fits into that plan.

Numbers 26:29 "Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites."

So Manasseh was the grandson of Jacob [Israel], and upon the death of Jacob, the Abrahamic covenant went direct to Ephraim and Manasseh, because Jacob adopted both of these kids where they were small kids, sitting on Jacob's lap. The Machirites in time will become the most powerful and numerous of all the other families of the sons of Manasseh.

Numbers 26:30 "These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of of Helek, the family of the Helekites:"

Jeezer will be the only great-grandson of Jacob that will be listed as a separate family. "Jeezer" in Smith's bible dictionary means "father of help".

Numbers 26:31 "And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:"

Numbers 26:32 "And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites."

Numbers 26:33 "And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the name of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Holglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."

Though this numbering is for the numbering of the men in arms, it also is for the dividing of the land amongst the families of those listed. Zelophehad had no sons, but only daughters, and as such, these daughters would have the right to claim their father's inheritance, as their father would be in the army and earth the right to his inheritance for his family.

Numbers 26:34 "These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred."

The tribe of Manasseh recorded 52,700 men for the army. In the first numbering Manasseh numbered 32,200 with a vast increase of 20,500 men age 20 and older. Remember that Joseph's two sons received the blessing promises of the Abrahamic Covenant, and one of those blessings was for Manasseh to increase into a large nation, as recorded in Genesis 48:18-20.

Numbers 26:35 "These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites."

Again, Ephraim carries the Abrahamic Covenant blessing within his tribe, along also with Manasseh, as we discussed above from Genesis 48:28.

Numbers 26:36 "And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites."

Shuthelah would be the family that Joshua was born into. He would later go on to lead the children of Israel at Moses death, and take them in to claim the promise land.

Numbers 26:37 "These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families."

The tribe of Ephraim recorded 32,500 men for the army in this second numbering. In the first numbering Ephraim numbered 45,000 men age 20 and older. Notice the difference in the increase between Manasseh at 52,700 and Ephraim at 32,500 me. Remember the blessing promises of Jacob to these two, Ephraim would become a multitude of nations, and Manasseh would become one large nation, and that nation is starting to grow out there in the wilderness. Manasseh is growing while many of the other tribes were being robbed or their see, and was given in Leviticus 26.14-46.

Numbers 26:38 "The sons of Benjamin after their families; of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:"

Numbers 26:39 "Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites."

Numbers 26:40 "And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard the family of the Ardities: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites."

Numbers 26:41 "These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred."

The tribe of Benjamin numbered 45,600 men for the army in this second numbering. The first numbering of the men at the base camp of mount Sinai, they numbered 35,400, so they had increased by over 10,000 men in this one generation in the wilderness.

Numbers 26:42 "These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families."

Numbers 26:43 "All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred."

Numbers 26:44 "Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Berites."

Numbers 26:45 "Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites."

Numbers 26:46 "And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah."

Numbers 26:47 "These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred."

The numbering of men for the army in this second numbering was 53,400 men, while the first numbering for Asher was 41,500 men. There was a decrease in the population of the Asherites while in the wilderness by over 11,900 men.

Numbers 26:48 "Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:"

Numbers 26:49 "Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the families of the Shillemites."

Numbers 26:50 "These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred."

The tribe of Naphtali recorded 45,400 men for the army. Their first numbering at Sinai was 53,400 men.

In that first numbering back at the base of mount Sinai, when the men showed up to be numbered, each man had to prove what his lineage was, to what tribe he was attached, and where he would be counted. However each of these men are to prove not just the tribe, but the family that they belong to, for in a matter of just a few years, all the land would be divided, and you name had to be listed, or you would not get your entitled allotment of land.

Numbers 26:51 "These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty."

So the total number of men that were recorded for the army of the Children as they prepared to enter into the Promise Land, was 601,730 men. This was close to the number of the army numbered at the base camp below mount Sinai, of 603,550 men from all the tribes at the age of twenty or over, that could be counted on to fight in an army. Remember that the tribe of the Levites were not numbered in this numbering, as each male from the age of one month and older were given into the service of the Lord, and the duties at the tabernacle.

There were 70 people total that went down into Egypt 215 years prior, and now just as the Israelites are at the base of Sinai, they numbered 603,550, ye now forty years later, entering into the promise land that numbering of the army alone numbers 601,730 men, for there was a decrease.

Numbers 26:52 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 26:53 " Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names."

Once the land has been taken, and divided by families, that land is a inheritance for ever. There will been not censes taken to see who owns the land, for it belonged to that family. If the family grew later, after the lotting out of the land, there would be no more increase for that family. If your not listed in the army, then you don't get land; That's God's way, you earn it.

Numbers 26:54 "To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him."

Do you get it? If you have a bunch of cowards that refuse to be numbered in God's army of Israel, they will not be considered for an inheritance. The tribe may show a small numbering even though it might be larger, but only those included in the army will determine what size of land the tribe and it's families will receive. Another words, when you do things God's Way you will be repaid and blessed for it.

Numbers 26:55 "Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit."

When you divide the land into lots, as we have today, then as Joshua and the leaders of the tribes assign the land, there will be no personal preference shown, except in the case of Caleb. If the father fought and died in the battles, his name is there for his family to claim their rights to the land. When the lots are given out, it will be God that decides which lot goes to which family. The priest reached his hand into the bag with the Urim and Thimmim stones, and they determined what lot you received. The size of land for the tribe to received was based wholly on the number of people that were numbered from that tribe. Then that tribal land was divided into units, and the casting of these stones, determined which of the lots went to which man.

Numbers 26:56 "According to the lot shall the possession be divided between many and few."

Even to this day, our land is separated by this form of counting. It marks the nations of the Israelites, for this form of parceling out land dates back to the wilderness, and to God's instructions to Moses.

Numbers 26:57 "And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites."

The first part of this chapter dealt with the numbering of the twelve tribes of Israel, and not comes the numbering of the tribe of Levi, the tribe given in the service of God. The purpose of numbering of the other tribes, was to vex the Midianites, so that was the calling of the troops into battle, and forming the ranks. That army of the Israelites would also not stop on the east side of the Jordan, but move on through the land of Canaan, and take the entire promise land. God promised them the victory; and when they claim the promises of God, they have the victory. Unlike that first time, when they did not claim the promises of God, God allowed that generation to die off in the wilderness, and their sons to go in to claim the land.

The Levites were not to receive any inheritance in the land for they were the tribe that was given to the service of the Lord. God was their inheritance. The order that these families are listed here is different than the listing in the order of service. The first listing was given for the redemption purpose of the firstborn of all the tribes. In this case the numbering of the males was from one month and older. Gershon being the oldest was listed first here. In that first listing Kohath was the first listed, for they took care of the things inside the tabernacle for moving from location to location. The Gershonites for the tents, and the Merarites for the boards, tent poles and heavier items.

Numbers 26:58 "These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram."

So here we will see a break in the priesthood, for Moses and Aaron will be dead and out of the way very shortly, as Aaron has already passed away by this numbering.

Numbers 26:59 "and the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister."

The daughter of Levi, Jodhebed, was Amram's wife and her three children were Aaron, Moses and Miriam. Mariam was the oldest, then Aaron, and Moses was three years younger than Aaron. It is interesting here that Amram married his aunt Jachebed, while down in Egypt, living in bondage.

Numbers 26:60 "And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."

Remember that Nadab, and Abihu died when the brought strange fire to the altar of God, yet there children are remembered in the numbering of Levi. When Aaron died, Moses removed his garments and placed them on Eleazar to be the High priest. So the priest line would come down through the sons of Aaron.

Numbers 26:61 "And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the Lord."

Recorded in Leviticus 10:1-4. They had just been consecrated into the priesthood, and then right after the ceremonies, took strange fire [hot coals from back home] to the altar of God.

Numbers 26:62 "And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel."

The numbers of the tribe of Levites in this numbering were 23,000 males from the age of one month and older. This is the same age of numbering as it was when the children of Israel numbered the Levites, when camped at the base of mount Sinai, forty years earlier. The numbering then would be for redemptive purposes, for God decided to take the males of the tribe of Levi for service, instead of taking the firstborn of all the people and animals of Israel for service in the Sanctuary. Then at that age of one month, under the prior commitment, the people would have had to commit their firstborn children to the service of the Sanctuary, or redeem that child for the five shekel price to the Levites. Though these Levites were numbered, they would not receive an inheritance, as the rest of the tribes of Israel would. This tribe of Levi would be scattered amongst all the other tribes, and be the spiritual leaders of the People of all the tribes of Israel.

God is their inheritance, and even in Ezekiel 44:26, God tells us; "And it shall be unto them [the Zadok-Elect] for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession." This is talking about the period of time that is coming very shortly, that Millennium period when all souls will be in their spiritual, incorruptible bodies. The Zadok will have no inheritance in kingdom here at that time, for the wealth of the King, Jesus the Christ Himself will be theirs. No, not the land or earthly things, for everything that Christ owns and rules over will be jointly owned and supervised by the Zadok with Jesus Christ [we will be Joint heirs with Christ].

Numbers 26:63 "These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho."

Remember that the children of Israel had been wandering through the wilderness for the past forty years, at this time that when they came to camp on the plains of Moab, but the river Jordan. It is just a matter of month now that the river Jordan will be held back, and the army of forces of the children of Israel will cross through the river and come against Jericho. All of the people that departed out of Egypt age 20 and older, except Caleb and Joshua are dead and gone at this time, and their sons and their families will go in to claim the land.

Numbers 26:64 "But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered , when they numbered the children in the wilderness of Sinai."

That's right, only Caleb and Joshua will enter the promise land to claim their rightful inheritance that God promised to those faithful to Him. These were the two spies that came back with a good report, and told the people to go in and take the land that God had promised them, but the people refused.

Numbers 13:30 "And Caleb stilled the People before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it"  However the people didn't listen to Caleb, they listened to the other ten spies evil report, and sat back and murmured against Moses. So because of this God condemned that generation to die in the wilderness.

Numbers 26:65 "For The Lord had said of them, "They shall surely die in the wilderness." And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the sons of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."

God said it would happen, and it did, for even Aaron and Moses would not be able to cross through the Jordan, and enter into the promise land. This crossing and taking the promise land is what the book of Joshua is all about, for it tells about the inheritance that was given to each of the tribes, and how that allotment of land was distributed.