Day 57 – Numbers 7

Talking Points

• Chapter 7 is a very detailed description of the free-will offerings brought as the tabernacle has been set up. Almost as soon as it is up, the preparations to take it down and move with it must be made before the Israelites leave Sinai. The carts given will be used in transporting the tabernacle as they move toward the Promised Land.
• For 12 consecutive days, the leaders of each of the 12 tribes of Israel, representatives of the people of that tribe, marched in with their offerings.
• Each brought a silver dish, a silver bowl, a gold pan, a burnt offering, a grain offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering.
  
  

Thoughts

Though this chapter and its repetition can be a little overwhelming to read, I thought of how each item given mattered enough to God, delighted Him enough that He included it forever in His Word. Think about that. As big and as awesome as He is, our sacrifices matter — each one. He truly loves a cheerful giver.

I also think of the heart of each person as their tribe’s offerings are presented before the Lord. Can you imagine the excitement, cheerfulness, and reverence they felt as their representative carried their offerings away?

This event is an awesome picture of the spontaneous worship that breaks out in response to God’s graciousness and faithfulness. The event is not required by God, rather it occurred at the people’s own initiative. Like all true worship, it was their heart’s response to God.

For a fickle and often failing people, sometimes they got it right.

Today, may we offer up our own true worship. May our hearts respond to God. May He delight in us.

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
– 2 Corinthians 9:7