“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20, Numbers 26:1-65)
The book of Numbers, often seen as a record of wanderings, is filled with profound spiritual truths that point to Jesus Christ. In Numbers 26, we see a new census being taken as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land. This census, coming after the first generation perished in the wilderness due to unbelief, reflects God’s faithfulness in preserving His people and ensuring that His promises are fulfilled. More importantly, it foreshadows Jesus as the One who numbers, calls, and secures His people, knowing each of them by name.
The Census: A Picture of Divine Knowledge and Ownership
Numbers 26 opens with a command from the Lord to Moses and Eleazar:
“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ households, everyone who is able to go out to war in Israel.” (Numbers 26:2)
This was not the first census. The first was taken in Numbers 1, when the people of Israel were about to embark on their journey from Sinai. However, because of their rebellion and unbelief, that generation was sentenced to perish in the wilderness (Numbers 14:29-30). Now, a new generation stood at the threshold of the Promised Land. Yet, even as the previous generation passed away, God remained faithful to His covenant. The numbering of the people ensured that each tribe and family had a place in the inheritance, signifying that God’s plans remained unchanged.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Numbers His Flock
In the census of Numbers 26, we see a reflection of Jesus’ intimate knowledge of His people. He is the Good Shepherd who calls each of His sheep by name and leads them (John 10:3). He knows not just a collective group, but each individual personally.
“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
Jesus speaks of something far greater than an earthly census—a heavenly enrollment of those who belong to Him. Just as God numbered His people before they entered the earthly Promised Land, Christ ensures that all who belong to Him are recorded in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15). The earthly numbering was a shadow of the greater reality that we, as believers, are registered in heaven through Christ’s atoning work.
A New Generation and the Call to Faithfulness
A significant aspect of the Numbers 26 census is that only Caleb and Joshua remained from the first generation (Numbers 26:64-65). These two men had believed in God’s promises when others doubted (Numbers 14:6-9), and they alone were permitted to enter the Promised Land.
This is a powerful reminder that faith, not lineage, is what grants us access to God’s promises. Just as the faithless generation was removed, so too will all who reject Christ be excluded from His Kingdom. But those who trust in Him will be counted among the redeemed, just as Caleb and Joshua were.
Jesus affirms this truth in John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Those who put their faith in Christ are part of the new creation—the new people of God, destined to inherit an eternal Promised Land.
The Inheritance Secured by Christ
The census was not just about numbers—it was about inheritance. After numbering the tribes, God instructs Moses on how the land is to be divided among them (Numbers 26:52-56). The land was a gift, not something they earned, just as salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our inheritance as believers is even greater:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)
Just as Israel’s inheritance was guaranteed by God’s promise, our inheritance in Christ is secured by His blood. He is the one who ensures we receive our portion in His eternal Kingdom.
Jesus: The One Who Calls and Keeps His People
One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is that Jesus does not lose those whom the Father has given Him.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28)
Just as God preserved a new generation of Israel to inherit the land, Christ preserves His people to enter His eternal Kingdom. We may go through trials, wilderness experiences, and spiritual battles, but our names are written in His book, and our place in His Kingdom is secure.
Conclusion: Rejoice, Your Name Is Written in Heaven
Numbers 26 is not just a historical census—it is a prophetic shadow of Christ’s role in numbering, calling, and securing His people. Every name in that list represented a life, a story, and a place in God’s plan. Today, as believers, we have an even greater assurance: our names are written in heaven.
So, as Jesus said in Luke 10:20, let us rejoice that our names are inscribed in the Book of Life. We are numbered among God’s chosen ones, not by works, but by His grace through faith. Just as God led the Israelites into the Promised Land, He will lead us into the eternal inheritance prepared for us in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
- How does knowing that your name is written in heaven impact the way you live?
- What does the contrast between the first and second generation in Numbers 26 teach us about faith and obedience?
- In what ways can you trust Jesus more as the One who calls, numbers, and secures His people?
Final Thought: If God took the time to number His people in the wilderness, how much more does He care for each of us today? He knows your name. He calls you His own. And He has prepared an eternal place for you. Rejoice!
