Yahweh Commands the Numbering of Israel for Service (Numbers 26:1-2).
With the land almost in sight the armies of Israel were to be ‘numbered', that is, organised for warfare, while the Levites would be organised for service.
‘And it came about after the plague, that Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,'
The plague having ceased, and Yahweh having become reconciled to Israel through the action of Phinehas, Yahweh spoke to Moses and Eleazar the Priest. Eleazar has adequately stepped into his father's shoes. With Joshua he will provide Israel with effective leadership throughout the conquest.
“ Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel.”
The command was to ‘number' Israel, that is assess the forces available for warfare. These were to consist of all who were twenty years old and upwards.