Big Idea: God’s plans triumph over human frailties.

Understanding the Text

Thirty-eight and a half years after Israel had been condemned to wilderness wanderings, and shortly “after the plague” (Num. 26:1) of Numbers 25, Israel takes another census. As a result of the plague, the old generation is now gone (Num. 26:63–65). Only Moses, Caleb, and Joshua have survived to be part of this census. Thus, this genealogy marks the death of the old and the birth of the new generation. The old, rebellious generation has now been replaced by their “little ones” (Num. 14:31 NRSV), as God had predicted (Num. 14:26–35).

Israel is transitioning to new leadership. Both Miriam and Aaron are dead (Num. 20:1, 25–28), and soon Joshua will be chosen to succeed Moses (Num. 27:12–23), who will die before ente…