Numbers 25-30: Another Generation, Another Census

All of the old generation, the ones who fled out of Egypt have died except for Moses, Caleb and Joshua.  Even Miriam and Aaron are gone.  And now, the time is approaching that the Israelites will enter in and take possession of the land promised to their forefathers.  So God instructs Moses to take another census.  This time to measure the members of the tribes in order to allot the land among them.  These are not the people counted in the desert of Sinai a year after they left Egypt.  These people have never been numbered before.  They are the new generation that has grown up to replace the ones who got cold feet about entering the promised land and so had to live out their lives in the desert. 

Moses will not be going with them.  His sin in striking the rock has precluded that.  But God has provided another leader in the form of Joshua, son of Nun.  Joshua has been with Moses throughout the Exodus.  Early in their journey, on the way to Mt. Sinai,  he lead the Israelites in fighting the Amalekites. He went with Moses to the mountain of the Lord when Moses was given the Ten Commandments.  He was zealous for God, staying behind in the tabernacle after Moses left to bask in the Lord's glory. "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. - Exodus 33:11 NIV  So Moses commissioned Joshua in front of the entire assembly of Israelites.

Going with them in addition to Joshua will be the law and of course their God.  God tells Moses to relay to this new generation everything that was told to their parents.  Once more Moses elaborates the daily and monthly offerings they are to present to the Lord and the feasts they are to celebrate. And finally, Moses instructs the heads of the tribes on vows, a subtle reminder of God's covenant. "When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. Numbers 30:2 - NIV
 
A new generation stands on the edge of the promised land.  Will they go in and take the land as their parents did not?  Will they be faithful to their God as their parents were not?  All that remains of the people that left Egypt is their history.  A history of complaining and unfaithfulness, but that history includes mighty displays of God's power.  They have all they need to be triumphant.