Numbers

2025.02.21

“Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their households.” Numbers 1:2a. CEB

I’ve learned to pay attention to words or ideas that show up repeatedly. A few years ago, the phrase was “be still”. I received a candle holder that said “be still.” And then I received a handmade card emblazoned “be still.”

I was having a conversation with a friend one morning when she mentioned starting to read the Bible over again in a slow way. She said that she read slowly until something caught her attention. She mentioned being currently in the fourth book of the Hebrew Scripture, Numbers.

I confess that my mind wandered as I recalled using those passages of scripture to help me sleep in years gone by. And then, as clearly as a billboard along 81, I thought about the fact that each of those numbered people were people. They were beloved children of God. Someone’s sister or brother. They counted. God knows the number of hairs on our heads, and knows when a sparrow falls. And beyond a census list I glimpsed God counting each person, paying attention to each person.

Not long after the daily Bible study tool that my husband and I are using this year is taking us through the Bible and we are in the book of Numbers. I am struck by the personal connection of God with each and every person. It’s a remarkable thing to matter to someone, especially the Creator. The numbering honors our humanity. It’s acknowledges our creation in the image of God.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the persons from Gaza and Israel who are being freed. God knows each and everyone. At this time in our country thousands of people are losing their jobs, or are being invisibilized because of changes in DEI. They count. You count. The homeless person counts. Thank you for the gift of Numbers. Help me to pause long enough to read slowly about the unfathomable love of God. ~ Anne