“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” -Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Numbers. Not my favorite things, even though I’ve always done well in math, statistics, and accounting. Numbers are black and white. Numbers are cold. Numbers can be enormous or less than zero. The more extreme the number (extremely large or extremely small), the more people tend to pay attention to it. The truth is, unless you know what the numbers represent, they’re meaningless.
It’s that time of the year. People who have committed to reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in this new year are likely now in Leviticus and moving closer to Numbers by the day.
Numbers is one of those Bible-reading flashpoints for many. The stories of Creation, Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and a scattering of other characters make Genesis an exciting narrative of beginnings: man’s fall, and the introduction of God’s redemptive plan for mankind.
The drama throughout Exodus carries the reader along.
Leviticus gets a bit trickier with its many rules and regulations for living as children of the Holy God. The sacrificial system, the establishment of the priesthood for the new nation of Israel, rules for dealing with clean and unclean conditions-creatures-practices-and-physical-interactions, and the observation of holy days and feasts may begin to bog down newer-to-Scripture readers.
Then you hit Numbers. Many readers never make it past Chapter Two because of all the lists and numbers – they determine they’ll start over next year when they’ve grown a little more spiritually. Some may speed-scan the early chapters of Numbers until they reach meatier reading.
I completely understand. Even after sixty years of Bible reading, Numbers still isn’t in my Top Ten Favorite Books in the Bible list. But I have come to appreciate it greatly and have developed a different perspective on reading through the lists of numbers in Numbers, and (spoiler alert) in a few other books in the Bible.
What I began to notice in those lists of numbers was that there were many names behind the numbers—names of tribe leaders, group leaders, family leaders, sons, and even a few daughters. Certainly, not every name is given for the million-plus people represented, but enough to tell us that every number represented an individual. Every number represented a person with a name.
When I look past the number and think about the person represented, I think differently as I read those number-filled passages. God wasn’t dealing with numbers; God was dealing with individuals.
Real people with feelings and emotions. Real people making life-altering decisions about following Jehovah God. Real people with families and friends, cares and concerns, and hopes for a better future.
God was aware of each man, woman, and child—even those whose names are not listed. He knew their name. He knew their heart. He loved and cared for each one. He knew and cared about each person’s worries, cares, and fears. And He wanted love and faithful obedience from each individual.
Scripture is filled with the names of individuals – thousands of them. Some were main characters who appeared bigger than life; many others played lesser roles, but God knew each one individually and specifically by name. He knew who chose to follow Him, and He knew those who chose to turn away from Him.
I find great comfort knowing that we are not just numbers to God. We are individuals, each with our own name. God knows our name, like He knows our heart and our story. God extends His love, grace, and mercy to each of us.
We frequently hear reports and numbers on the homeless population living on the streets in cities throughout our prosperous country. It’s sad and disheartening to hear, but in truth, it’s very impersonal.
It’s altogether different reading Annie’s reports. Annie is a sweet, new friend who runs a ministry in Indianapolis for street people—individuals who by choice or desperation, live their lives eeking out an existence on the streets of the big city.
Annie reports on the many people her team ministers to on their regular excursions into downtown Indianapolis. They pull wagons filled with food, clothing, shoes, books, blankets, and numerous other items chosen to meet the specific needs of the individuals they love on and care for. In Annie’s reports, she lists the first name of every person they’ve cared for, those they’ve prayed with, and each person’s new needs and prayer requests. It is heartwrenchingly personal.
At the core of her team’s message to these precious homeless ones is that they are known, loved, and cared for by Annie and her team. But more importantly, they are known by name, loved and cared for by Almighty God.
All of us. From the highest to the lowest – it’s all the same to God. He sees us individually and specifically. He calls us by name. And He loves us with an everlasting love. All He asks in return is complete and utter surrender of our hearts, minds, and lives.
When you see numbers for people groups, whether in Scripture, the church, social organizations, political groups, or crime statistics, every number represents a name. A real person with a real name, who is living, breathing, and greatly in need of a personal relationship with God Almighty, through Jesus Christ.
Kevin Winningham, the Executive Pastor at Solid Rock Bible Church in Plymouth, Michigan, frequently says:
“Every number has a name. Every name has a story. And every story matters to God.”
You are never just a faceless number.
You have a name.
You have a story.
Friend, you and your story are known by God.
You and your story matter to God.
Trust Him with your heart and with your story,
If you begin to struggle as you read through the Old Testament Book of Numbers, remember every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God.
“I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” – Isaiah 45:3 ESV