Once the tabernacle was erected (Exodus 40:1–38) and all the duties pertaining to the presence of God in the midst of his sinful people were clearly laid out (i.e., Leviticus), what now remained in order for Israel to take the Promised Land was an orderly, military census. God ordering such a census at this moment demonstrates God’s intention to go with the Israelites and conquer the nations in Canaan, in fulfillment of his promises.
1 L'Eternel parla à Moïse dans le désert du Sinaï, dans la tente d'assignation, le premier jour du second mois, la seconde année après leur sortie du pays d'Egypte. Il dit: