First, take a census (1-16). Thirteen months after God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, the LORD told Moses to take a census. The Israelites were to be counted by their clans and families. All the able men twenty years old or more were to be listed by name. They would serve in divisions in the army. God was preparing his people for war. Canaan was promised by God but they had to fight for it. The census was too much for only Moses and Aaron but God raised responsible tribal leaders to help.

Second, these were the counted men (17-46).

Moses and Aaron obeyed God's instructions. The people registered according to their ancestral tribes. The men able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name. They numbered 603,550 men. Some tribes had more men and others less. But every tribe participated by contributing men to the army. They would fight side-by-side, as one people.
Application: Lord, give me courage and strengthen my heart to be counted as one of your people. Help me to stand with my brothers and sisters in the spiritual battle.
One Word: Be counted and serve the LORD