Year 1, Week 16, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 16, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 7.

Today’s reading seems to be something of a flashback to Exodus 40 when Moses had completed the Tabernacle construction and furnishings: “On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils” (Numbers 7:1). The events described in today’s reading probably occurred prior to the events recorded in Numbers 1-6. Numbers 7 is a long chapter (second only to Psalm 119) that provides a record of the gifts that the tribes brought to the Tabernacle as it was being consecrated: “the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached and brought their offerings before the LORD, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle.” (Numbers 7:2-3).This long and repetitive chapter simply shows the wholehearted response of each tribe, showing their lives are ordered around the LORD and His presence.

What struck me in today’s reading was what it shows as a fitting response to the presence of the LORD: “May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!” (Psalm 20:3). The particular offerings are specifically recorded in Numbers 7:12-83, as each tribe over the course of twelve days brought their offerings, but a total of all the tribes combined is listed at the end of the report: “from the chiefs of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, twelve golden dishes, each silver plate weighing 130 shekels and each basin 70, all the silver of the vessels 2,400 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, the twelve golden dishes, full of incense, weighing 10 shekels apiece according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the dishes being 120 shekels; all the cattle for the burnt offering twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve male lambs a year old, with their grain offering; and twelve male goats for a sin offering; and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty.” (Numbers 7:84b-88a).

As we read portions of Scripture like this, we are perplexed by the repetitiveness of the information. The long repetitive nature of this chapter is by design. This official giving record shows not only that each tribe gave equally, but also their giving was sacrificial: “And the chiefs offered offerings for the dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed; and the chiefs offered their offering before the altar. And the LORD said to Moses, “They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar.” (Numbers 7:10-11). These important days in the life of Israel show that their hearts were toward the LORD in faith and obedience. The LORD was pleased to accept their offerings. The offerings were not in vain, for it is in the context of these gifts, the vital role of the Tabernacle is seen in Israel’s life. This is seen in what happened next with Moses. It is at the Tabernacle that Israel would live in relationship with the LORD. The Tabernacle wasn’t an empty tent. There is an important culmination to this record of Tabernacle offerings.

Remember back to Exodus 40 as Moses first tried to enter the Tabernacle right after it was completed: “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34-35). Contrast Moses’ inability to enter with what today’s reading notes: “And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.” (Numbers 7:89). Moses enters and the LORD speaks to him. As the gifts were received and the sacrifices were offered, the LORD truly did meet with His people as He spoke to Moses. Moses, in turn, would mediate the Words of God to Israel. The LORD had promised: “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” (Exodus 25:22).

Things, at the moment, are as they have been intended to be. The LORD is in fellowship with His people, speaking to them through Moses. But this brief glimpse anticipates a better arrangement to live in fellowship with the LORD. Jesus provides a better covenant: “For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses…Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Hebrews 3:3,5-6). Moses spoke all that the LORD spoke to him, but it was only partial, initial Word; however, with the arrival of Christ and the completion of His work, God has given His full and complete Word to His people:  “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2a).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe