Exodus 30

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Exodus 30:11-16, "Then the Lord said to Moses, “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,  according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

In this chapter, we see detailed instructions for the incense altar, atonement payments, construction and use of the washing basin, and the use of anointing oil.  I have to admit, as I was reading through this, I got stuck on the atonement payments.  Does this mean that if they pay a certain amount of money no plague will strike them?  I had to do a bit more research.

My understanding is that this was done for the purposes of a potential war.  Only those who wanted to be counted were counted, thus highlighting the voluntary nature of Israel's army (this was the meaning of "crosses over.")   While individuals could choose whether or not they wished to fight, God decided all other aspects of the war.  There is also another important element here:  God owns the lives of his people.  He decides when and how they go to war and God has the ability to save those lives and offer them abundant life. 

Let's pray...Lord, we recognize that our own lives belong to you.  Thank you for the abundant life that you provide.  In your name, Amen.