King David took a census of the people and it was wrong and he was punished for it (2 Samuel 24:1). So why is it alright to take the census here? The big difference is God commanded it here in Numbers, David took it upon himself, for selfish reasons to do a census. There was no reason for him to take a census except that pride prompted him to do it. In essence David was saying look at how great an army I have at my command. He should have known better, God doesn’t need us to have bigger armies to defeat our enemies. How many battles were won with fewer soldiers? Look at the story of Gideon. (Judges 6 – 7). How many things do we do because pride prompts us to do them? If we boast it should be because we are boasting in the Lord.
The other thing I noticed was that each clan/tribe had a specific task assigned to them to perform when they were on the move. Can you imagine what that must have looked like, getting everyone working together to take down, carry and set up the tabernacle? I’ve been camping before and I know the amount of work involved in setting up and tearing down a small tent and a few belongings, I have a hard time thinking about the enormity of them moving from place to place. But how organized God made everything for them. I so love things that have order.
Shalom,
Pastor Kathy