WHY TAKE NOTE OF NUMBERS IN GOD’S WORD?
As they traveled on, the Israelites came to Elim, an oasis located along the Eastern side of the Red Sea near the desert of Sin. It must have been a wonderful sight for the weary travelers as they saw twelve springs and a grove of seventy palm trees! So of course, they made camp in this place of water and shade.
That Moses took note of the number of springs and palms seems significant. Twelve springs, one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel. And seventy palm trees, the same number of persons in Jacob’s house that had first moved to Egypt some 400 years earlier. Seventy was also the number of the Israelite elders appointed by Moses. I think Moses and the Israelites must have been as encouraged by these numbers as they were by the water and shade.
Numbers continue to be significant throughout the Bible. For God knows every detail of His creation. And God values each of His creatures, especially us. Consider what Jesus said about numbers and us: “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Luke 12:7).
So God prepared a place of sustenance and shade for His people Israel that even the numbers of springs and palms were carefully prepared by Him.
Can you name the occasions when the numbers 12 and 70 are found in the New Testament?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love how you met the needs of Your people in the Bible. More than that, we love how you always meet our needs too. The numbers were like Your signature on the gift card. How awesome You are, O Lord! We give You thanks and glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.