THEOSISProcopius of Gaza
When God observed that the people had crossed the limits established by Him, He began anew to assess the number of those eligible for military service. The previous generation, the fathers counted before, had all passed away, and the sons were now called for enumeration. This aligns with David's testimony that the Lord declared, "They shall not enter into My rest" (Psalms 94:11; Hebrews 3:11), and what follows. At the very least, their offspring resembled a faithful community that had received the fulfillment of the Law, Christ, along with the spiritual baptism, which the Apostle Paul describes as circumcision: "Circumcision is we who serve God in spirit" (Philippians 3:3), and once more, "Ye also are circumcised by the circumcision of the uncircumcision" (Colossians 2:11).
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Joshua serves as their representative, as he circumcised his descendants; yet, since this act was not genuine, it is stated elsewhere, "Cut off the hardness of your heart." Thus, he counts the sons of those who have departed, but this time differently: he first enumerates the tribes born of free women, then those born of maidservants, showing no preference for either status. He begins with the five sons of Leah, omitting the revered tribe of Levi, as this tribe is honored with the priesthood. Next, he mentions Gad and Asher, sons of the maidservants, followed by Rachel's three sons. He lists Joseph's sons in birth order, Manasseh and Ephraim, and then Rachel's last son, Benjamin. Finally, he includes the sons of the maidservants again, Dan and Naphtali. By this enumeration, he keeps in mind the lineage of Israel, governed by the spirit of bondage, contrasting with us, who are called through adoption in the spirit of freedom. The connection between them and us through that spirit of freedom is unmistakable. Hence, the words of Moses, "The Gentiles rejoiced with this people," and the words of the Saviour, "There shall be one flock, and one Shepherd" (John 10:16). As the total of the other tribes diminished compared to the first count, the tribe of Levi, in contrast, expanded, for the chosen people are always in the process of growth, while those opposed shrink.