The First Census
Yahweh, in His infinite wisdom, has given us everything we need to be overcomers in this life. This is true and yet sometimes it takes awhile for the light switch to click on when it comes to spiritual warfare and how to walk in victory.
To overcome something, we must first have to go through a challenging (sometimes painful) situation. Look at the Strong’s Lexicon definition of Overcome:
Strong’s Lexicon Grk #3528
nikaó: To conquer, to overcome, to prevail, to gain victory
Original Word: νικάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nikaó
Pronunciation: nee-KAH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (nik-ah’-o)
Definition: To conquer, to overcome, to prevail, to gain victory
Meaning: I conquer, am victorious, overcome, prevail, subdue.
Word Origin: From the Greek noun νίκη (nikē), meaning “victory” or “conquest.”
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of overcoming or prevailing is גָּבַר (gabar, Strong’s H1396), which means to be strong, to prevail, or to be mighty.
Usage: The verb νικάω (nikaó) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of overcoming or gaining victory, often in a spiritual or moral context. It conveys the idea of triumphing over adversities, challenges, or enemies. This term is frequently associated with the victory of faith, the triumph of Christ over sin and death, and the believer’s call to overcome the world through faith in Jesus Christ.
A battle of some sort is required in order to overcome, prevail, or to gain victory over it. We experience warfare in many ways and we have a promise from Yahweh, through Yeshua and the Holy Spirit that we can have victory regardless of what may come our way. As stated above, Yahweh gave us the strategy and the might to battle through and become victorious so as to obtain our promise in Him. It was revealed to the Israelites when Yahweh delivered them from their captivity in Egypt.
As a quick backstory, we know that because of sin and idolatry and the Israelites turning away from Yahweh and His statutes, He sent them into captivity for 430 years. Moses was then chosen and appointed as their deliverer to lead them out of Egypt. Once they were out of the grips of Pharoah and his armies, Yahweh began to prepare them for a whole new battle, but first He spent a year revealing to them His wonderous works and provisions for them. Yahweh was ready to lead them into their promised land but it would require faith, obedience, strength, and courage. Their strength and courage would come from Yahweh and in obedience to His word.
The Old Testament is known not only as being authentic to historical accounts of the time and the old covenant, but it also is known to serve as a type and shadow (or foreshadow) of what was to come which has been revealed in the new covenant of Yeshua HaMashiach. For this blog, we will focus on the book of Numbers, Chapter 1:5-15. The Israelites were free for a year when Yahweh called for the census.
THE BATTLE PLAN
Numbers 1:1-15
1Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2“Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male individually, 3from twenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4And with you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father’s house.
5“These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: from Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; 6from Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; 7from Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab; 8from Issachar, Nethanelthe son of Zuar; 9from Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon; 10from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; 11from Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni; 12from Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; 13from Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran; 14from Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel; 15from Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.” 16These were chosen from the congregation, leaders of their fathers’ tribes, heads of the divisions in Israel. (Bold is mine)
First, I want to emphasize how many mysteries there are in the word of Yahweh that may appear as hidden but are really in plain sight once they are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. In all things, we must know that there is a divine order to everything that Elohim (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) has planned for mankind. Secondly, I want to focus on the divine order of the names and what they represent; and last but certainly not least, reveal the message or battle plan for followers of Yeshua today on how to overcome the spiritual battles we face and become a victorious body of Yeshua, as we live in perilous times.
Moses was instructed by Yahweh to take a census of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses. Moses and Aaron were instructed to have with them a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father’s house to witness the census. It wasn’t “just pick a man from each tribe you feel would be a good pick.” It was a specific, “each one the head of his father’s house.” (Numbers 1:1-4)
I realize that most people don’t spend a lot of time in the book of Numbers because it can seem overwhelming or perhaps even not important for them to know why so many names and numbers of each tribe are mentioned. They just breeze through the book thinking, “okay, there were a lot of Israelites in those days, what does that have to do with today?” I will tell you and I believe you will be blessed by the revelation.
There is significance to the leaders from each of the twelve tribes who Moses and Aaron chose to witness the first census taken after the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt. The first census was commanded by Yahweh for the purpose of building a military army to fight against the Canaanites and the people of Canaan so as to enter their promised land. The tribe of Levi was not to be included in the army but they would carry the tabernacle of Yahweh and tend to it.
To reveal the prophetic message in Yahweh’s plan for the Israelites to go to war and take their promised land, we must look at why Yahweh chose the specific men He did, I.e. “heads of their father’s house” and what they represented based on their names and the names of their fathers. Follow along in the Bible in the book of Numbers 1:5-15.
We’re looking for a strategic message divinely given by Yahweh. Next to each name is their Hebrew meaning. Examine the first two names to see the pattern for the remaining message.
Of the Tribe of Rueben (Behold the Son)
- Elizur = God my rock (strong spiritual foundation). Reuben is associated with strength and dignity. Elizur’s father, Shedeur name means “field of light,” indicating divine guidance.
Of the Tribe of Simeon (Yah Hears)
- Shelumiel = Friend of God, or at peace with God. Zurishaddai is the father of Shelumiel. His name means “my rock is the Almighty,” indicating a strong faith and reliance on God.
Note the pattern: In Yah’s infinite wisdom, He selected Elizur with the bold statement, “Yah is my rock, I glean from my father, the field of light, for He beholds the Son. My Rock is the Almighty and I am at peace for He has heard and delivered us.” Can you see the strong foundation for those who have faith and will rely on Yahweh? It’s really powerful to think about the wisdom. Continue:
Of the Tribe of Judah (To Praise or To Thank)
- Nahshon = to divine or prognosticate, Gk. Enchanter, oracle, serpent. Nahshon’ father, Amminadab, name means “my kinsman is noble,” indicating one who delivers or rescues.
Of the Tribe of Issachar (There Is Reward or Man of Hire)
- Nethanel = God has given or given of God, indicating a divine gift or blessing. His father, Zuar,name means “little or small; to become small or insignificant.”
Of the Tribe of Zebulun (To Dwell or To Honor)
- Eliab = God is Father, reflecting a strong spiritual heritage. His father’s name, Helon, means “strong; firm; stable; perseverance.”
Of the Tribes of Joseph (Yah Shall Add):
Ephraim (Fruitful or Productive)
- Elishama = God had heard, reflecting divine attention and response. His father’s name, Ammihud, means “people of glory” and represents people of noble lineage.
Manasseh (To Cause to Forget)
- Gamaliel = God is my reward, indicating a recognition of divine favor. Pedahzur, his father, name means “the rock has ransomed”, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, the Rock, who ransoms humanity.
Of the Tribe of Benjamin (Son of the Right Hand)
- Abidan = My Father is Judge, reflecting leadership and justice. His father, Gideoni, name means “Hewer; to hew, or one who cuts down (or prepares a path).”
Of the Tribe of Dan (To Judge)
- Ahiezer = My brother is help, indicating a sense of community and support. His father, Ammishaddai, name means “people of the Almighty or my kinsman is the Almighty”, reflecting a connection to God’s power and presence.
Of the Tribe of Asher (Happy One)
- Pagiel = Yah meets or Yah’s encounter, indicating divine intervention. His father, Ocran, name means “to trouble, to disturb or bring calamity.”
Of the Tribe of Gad (Good Fortune)
- Eliasaph = God has added or God increases, reflecting a divine blessing or increase. His father, Deuel, name means “knowledge of Yah,” indicating a heritage of spiritual insight and understanding.
Of the Tribe of Naphtali (My Wrestling or My Struggle)
12. Amira = brother of evil or my brother is evil, reflecting character challenges of the time. His father, Evan, name means “having eyes or fountain,” which implies insight or a source of life and sustenance.
We have looked at the significance in the meaning of the names of the twelve men Yahweh had Moses and Aaron choose to witness the census. The mystery for those who have ears to hear was Yahweh’s strategic plan for the Israelites to conquer their enemies and enter into their promised land. This was the prescribed battle cry—that is the Faith required to overcome.
God is my rock, my strong spiritual foundation.
God is my peace. I am at peace with Him.
To divine or prognosticate is not of Him. He alone will be lifted up and exalted.
God has given us a divine gift.
He is our Father. In Him we have a strong spiritual heritage
God has heard His people. He gives His divine attention and response
He is our reward.
Our Father is the judge and His ways are just.
My brother is help; we support our community (Brotherly love, Philadelphia).
God has intervened and met us in our need.
God gives an increase of blessings.
Our brother is evil who does not trust in God.
What a powerful promise to stand on in time of spiritual warfare. All they had to do is believe in Him and walk in faith. If we fully trust in Yahweh and Yeshua’s finished work on the cross, then we know that the battle is already won. Even though we may have to march through the wilderness or face some giant obstacles, we can stand firm that Yahweh has already gone before us and will deliver us from our enemies (spiritual).
Sadly, that generation of Israelites did not get to go up against the Canaanites and Amalekites and enter their promised land because not only did they complain and murmur, but they turned to divination and idolatry and turned away from Yahweh. Therefore, Yahweh was not with them. (Numbers, Chapt. 11-14). Please take time to read these chapters, as the whole message will become clear and should give you more reverence for Yahweh.
Today, we can choose to polish up our armor and stand on the promises of Yahweh when we are under a spiritual oppression or in the midst of an intense spiritual battle. We can pray because we have a Redeemer and Advocate at the right hand of Yahweh who intercedes continually on our behalf. Call upon Him with the battle cry that He has given us to pray and watch Him remove the obstacles in our path.
The Battle Cry Of Our Heart
Yahweh is my rock and I shall glean from Him, the field of light, and behold the Son. My Rock is the Almighty and I am at peace for You have heard and delivered me.
I will trust in You alone and have no other gods for You are my redeemer and I will praise You.
You give blessings and eternal rewards to those who exalt You.
Heavenly Father, You have given me a strong spiritual heritage. I shall stand strong and persevere and bring honor unto You. You hear Your people of glory and we have divine favor in Yeshua.
He is our just reward. He alone forgives sins as they were ransomed on the cross.
Father Yahweh, you are the judge and have prepared a way for me by the Son of Your right hand.
Yeshua is my helper and by His might, presence, and power, I will overcome this battle.
I rejoice that He intervenes for me in times of trouble and shows me the Way.
As I face this battle, I ask You to pour out Your Spirit, Your wisdom and understanding, Your counsel, knowledge, and might upon me so that I may have the eyes to see and ears to hear where the struggle is and be a victorious overcomer. Amen.
We pray that you will find comfort in this message and be encouraged. Please hit the like button and share with others.
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