Numbers 1-4: Known by God

For many, the book of Numbers is one of the most boring in the Bible.  It contains all the numbering of tribes and the endless repetition.  Wouldn't it have been enough to say:
These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family. All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families. The total number was 603,550. - Num 1:44-46 NIV

Instead, each tribe was listed just as it was for Reuben:  All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families.  The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500. - Num 1:20-21 NIV

It wasn't enough to just count the men.  They had to be listed by name, one by one.  Each man's name was important.  Each man's name was known to God.  From the leaders of each tribe down to the most unimportant member of the smallest tribe, each man's name was known and recorded.  Nothing has changed today.  Each of our names are written and recorded for God as well.  We may not think we have anything to contribute.  We may not have the well-known, up in lights name, but we are known to God.  What we do, what we accomplish, is not as important as the fact that our name is recorded.  We are known by God.

2010 Post - Numbers 1-4:  In Order to Move