And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was erected. (E. 40:17)
And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony [and the journeys started](N. 10:11) And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel. (D. 1:3)
The above are the only references to a fixed year (without specifically calling out a frame of reference). It is clear that the Torah counts the years from the beginning of the Exodus, from that first commandment – the First Month. Why do we not count the years this way? Would this not be more faithful to the text – and arguably more accurate as well (since we lack definitive dating from Creation)?