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 The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,