Numbers 26 A NEW GENERATION The passing of time often leads to a deterioration of spiritual interest with the effect of the people of God being less interested in the life of faith. In the new generation in Israel, those people twenty years old and upward seemed to have kept the laws and spiritual character God had intended for the nation, even though they had failed in the events of chapter 25. To maintain interest in the things of God from one generation to the next is not easy to do. The first generation of believers realizes what they have been saved from and what they have been saved for. Their appreciation for the One who saved them, the Lord Jesus Christ, is still the motivating factor in their life. The second generation is usually only vaguely aware of what life was like before the light of God's truth changed their parents to live by faith. They are used to the Christian life and know the benefits of grace because the first generation believers speak of it often and are usually quite profuse in giving God thanks for what He has done for them.
The census of the new generation of the Israelites revealed that in some tribes there was growth and in others a decrease of numbers. There is no explanation given for that which indicates neither an increase or decrease of spiritual life. We can't measure the spiritual growth of a company of God's people by the numerical growth. Sometimes growth occurs because of the demographics of society. The same holds true when numbers decrease. The remarkable things revealed by this census is that God was able to preserve a whole nation intact and move them from one land to another, even though the entire adult population died except for three people. Not only did God move them through a barren, hostile wilderness, but He kept intact the spiritual direction of the nation. This was obviously a work of God alone.
Israel's growth had stopped, and actually decreased, but their identity was maintained, and among the nations around their reputation was still maintained. There has been, and probably still is, a variety of sizes and degrees of commitment in the gathered companies of God's people. What makes an assembly of Christians gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, a significant entity , is the Person to whom we are gathered. Every assembly has a unique personality that took much of its character from those who were there in the beginning. As the years pass and leadership changes, there are some differences because of the new generation. Yet it is remarkable that the Lord does maintain the fundamental character of the assembly.
Unbelief kept a whole generation from entering the land of Canaan which God had promised Abraham. But their deaths didn't keep the promises God made from being fulfilled. A whole generation may be missing from among God's people, but how encouraging it is to see a new generation arise after them who are ready and willing to go ahead for God in spite of the failures of their parents or the generation before them. We are told in Hebrews chapter three to "take heed" to the consequences of unbelief in those people. The same thing can happen to us as happened to them. God was grieved for forty years but He had not changed. The deceitfulness of sin, hardened God's people, but has in no way changed the determination of God to bless His people.
The number of people in a tribe determined the size of land they were allocated. The location of the tribe was determined by lot when Israel moved into Canaan. Some places the Lord works in the Gospel, are very fruitful and there is "land to be possessed" as a biblical testimony is established and the people of God become known in an area. It may be assembly activity in the outreach of the Gospel in that area will mean there are further evangelizing responsibilities from that group of God's people. Other testimonies to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ need to be established. This may continue for a generation or two - or even more. In another area of the country there will be only a few who, under scorn and opposition because they gather in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ without any other ties, are separated from those around. They have followed the teaching of the word of God and as an autonomous group of God's people, carry out His revealed word. The number of people in the group doesn't determine if it is right or wrong. That is determined by the Lord alone. The "lot" established the location where any particular group was placed by God. The number of people in the group determined the size of land they were to conquer and settle.
The key to success in the Christian life is determined when the word of God is mixed with faith. Spiritual success and power depends on the measure the word of God is mixed with faith. Faith lays hold on what God has given. The lot in Israel was determined by God. Where God places us today is up to Him. My response should be to act in faith no matter what the size of the place is. Faith gives us the view of what is going on through God's eyes. We are allowed to see eternal, invisible things that are spiritual not just temporal through faith. The value of the worship of an assembly when it meets together is not in the size, the sounds or the amount of participation. It is when we by faith, lay hold of the eternal things that our worship is positive and real. That in turn affects our service and keeps us walking in the light and in the liberty we have in Christ. None of this depends on the number of people who are in the fellowship of the assembly of God's people.
Faith keeps the people of God moving forward in joy and strength; not depression, gloom and weakness toward the goal of bringing glory to God. Faith gives to us the hope of glory ourselves, not the fear of judgment. How important it is to the new generation that we practice living by faith that keeps us trusting in the living God, and not doubting in ourselves. By faith we can enjoy now, much of what we will be enjoying in the future. Fellowship with God and fellowship with His people is a real experience that we will share forever. Faith enables us to live presently in the fullness of God's truth and not the emptiness of the world, the disappointments of the flesh, and defeat of the devil.
God may work out His purposes for His people in the quiet, undramatic events of daily living. When He chooses to use miraculous means, we rejoice with great relief over a crisis that has passed. Whether in a dramatic way or the "line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, there a little" way, whenever a new generation learns the value of living by faith, God's people are blessed, and God's name, His honor and His Person are glorified.