The Hebrew title of the Sabbath Torah portions comes from a word or words in the beginning of the portion. Since this is the first third of the first portion of the book of Numbers, Bemidbar is the Hebrew name for this entire book of the Bible. The English name comes from the Latin translation of the title of the Book in the Greek version of the Old Testament called The Septuagint. Much of the book deals with census-taking and other numberings.

Names and dates give orientation to the plans that God has for the people, such as the entry into the Promised Land and the preparation of the armies to bring this about.

Take a census—an inventory—of all that you have with you that the Lord can use as you enter into the spiritual battle for God’s people, bringing them into the Promised Land of the resurrection.

Numbers 1

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Bemidbar (In the Wilderness) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Numbers 1:1—4:20

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Knowing my place in Your plan v. 52

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information