"Take a census of the men twenty years old or more, as the LORD commanded Moses." These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt: - Numbers 26:4

Today's Scripture Reading (February 6, 2025): Numbers 26

After the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the people were taken into captivity in Babylon, an unknown prophet arose out of the ashes of the Judean civilization. He began to write encouragement to the people living in exile in Babylon. Discouraged and alone in a strange place, they wondered if God cared for them anymore. Did he know what was happening to his people, but maybe even more importantly, did he still call them his own? Back in Jerusalem, before the city fell, they had never believed that their God would allow the city and Solomon's Temple to be destroyed. But they had been wrong. And the question they began asking themselves was, "What else were we wrong about? Was it time to rethink their entire theology? Had they been wrong about everything?"

It is into this situation that this unknown prophet stepped. His words are included with the writings of Isaiah, a Prophet who ministered to the royal families of Judah almost 200 years earlier. This new Isaiah writes this message to the Israelites living in a strange land. 

    But now, this is what the LORD says—

    he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

    "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

    When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

    and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

    When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

    For I am the LORD your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).

The prophet reminds the people in exile that even in Babylon, they are significant enough that God knows them by name. 

Israel has reached a milestone in their journey. After wandering in the wilderness for almost four decades, a new generation is ready to enter the promised land. And as they prepare for that moment, God tells Moses to take a census. A census involved going to every person and writing down their name and family connection. A new generation is about to start a new journey with God, and God wants them to understand that each of them is important and that he knows them by name. He basically reminds a new generation that they matter and are still featured in God's plan; "I (God) have called you by name and you are mine."

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Numbers 27