Pleasing the Lord. (Numbers 7: 1-89)
Welcome to our latest podcast episode, where we going to dive deep into one of the longest chapters in the Bible, (2nd longest actually).
The complexities of Numbers Chapter 7.
Prepare to be captivated, or more likely frustrated as I try unravel the significance of each leader's offering, revealing I hope insights into the importance of equality, dedication, and the service the the Lord.
Get ready for a journey through the repetitive yet important chapter, with lessons hidden within those very repetitions.
Join me as I attempt to unlock and unravel the secrets of this often-overlooked biblical passage and discover its real relevance for today's world.
Stay tuned in for what I hope will be an enlightening exploration you won't want to miss!
Welcome to TBPDP………….
Alright, let's dive into Numbers Chapter 7. While the passage might seem a bit odd at first glance, there's something significant buried within it. In that it tells something about one the most important ways we can pleases the Lord.
To put the book of Numbers in context, it is the book where we find the preparation for the journey into the promised land.
Although they don't make it there in Numbers or even Deuteronomy, the journey begins here with the preparation at Sinai.
We will, in fact, discover that we will see that in reality they eventually end up wandering in the wilderness.
Now, Chapter 7 is technically placed out of chronological order. It's placed here towards the beginning of this book, but the events described actually took place previously at at the dedication of the Tabernacle, which goes back to Leviticus Chapter 8.
In this passage, we see offerings presented to the Lord to the dedicate the Tabernacle to Him. Among these offerings will be six wagons which are dedicated and used to carry the Tabernacle furniture.
So, why is this chapter placed here?
Well, as we begin the journey toward the promised land from Sinai, we now have wagons to carry the Tabernacle. Some tribes didn't need wagons because they carried the furniture using poles. The wagons described here were specifically used for transporting technical equipment.
Another interesting fact about this chapter is that it's the second longest chapter in the Bible. So, I figured out based on the word count it would take me well over 20 minutes to read it.
So today although I am going to go through large parts of the text, but the middle I’ll summarise it. (Follow the link in the episode notes.)
1 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. 2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. 3 They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
4 The Lord said to Moses, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”
6 So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, 8 and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. 9 But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.
10 When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. 11 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”
(Numbers 7: 1-11)
Now, let's look at the content. The dedication of the Tabernacle, which as I said in the introduction actually occurred a month prior to this, but it is described again here.
And what we see is that when Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle and consecrated it, the leaders of Israel, representing by each tribe, one by one, made an offering.
This offering consisted of six covered carts and 12 oxen, with each tribe providing one cart and one ox. These offerings were presented before the Tabernacle.
Then, the Lord instructed Moses to accept these offerings and use them for the work of the Tabernacle. They were to be given to the Levites according to their service. So, this passage establishes the provision of carts and oxen for the service of the Tabernacle.
What follows then from Numbers 7:12-7:83, with much repetition, it tells us that each of the leaders of the tribes of Israel presents offerings to the Lord over a period of 12 consecutive days.
Each offering consists of the same items: a silver plate, a silver sprinkling bowl, a gold dish, a selection of animals for burnt, sin, and fellowship offerings, and two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs for fellowship sacrifices.
Despite the repetition, each leader offers the same gifts to demonstrate equality among the tribes before the Lord. This passage details the offerings made by each leader, day, by day, one by one, emphasizing their equal dedication and commitment to the service of the Tabernacle.
Each tribe gave an offering to the Lord one day at a time, resulting in 12 days of offerings. It might seem repetitive because each tribe gives exactly the same thing.
With the introduction set, the chapter details the 12-day dedication process, where each tribe presented the same offering. Beginning with Judah on the first day, the order follows the tribes' placement around the Tabernacle.
Let's examine one set of offerings as an example: a silver platter weighing 130 shekels, a silver bowl of 70 shekels, both filled with fine flour mixed with oil, a gold pan weighing 10 shekels filled with incense, one young bull, one ram, one male lamb for burnt offerings, one goat for a sin offering, and additional animals for fellowship offerings.
Reflecting on this abundance, one might wonder about its cost. The 130 shekels of silver, weighing about 52 ounces, prompt me to do some research about its value.
Back when I first looked into this text, a few years back—I can't pin down the exact date, it's been a while. I found that silver was priced at £5.00 per ounce. Yet, this week, I decided to double-check. So, I asked Alexa, about the current price andlo and behold, it's now £23.00 an ounce. So, if we've got 52 ounces, that adds up to £1150.00 That's just for the 130 shekels of silver. Then, there's the 70 shekels of the silver bowl, totalling £1150.00 as well. And let's not forget the gold pan, weighing 4 ounces, which racks up to a whopping £8000 at approximately £2000.00 per ounce. Grand total? A whopping £10,300.00 from just one tribe. And remember, this doesn't even cover the cost of the animals.
Now, where did they get all this wealth? Any guesses? Yep, you guessed it: Egypt. When they left, the Egyptians we werr told in Exodus showered them with jewellery to get rid of the, to persuade tem to leave amd end the plagues.
So, every tribe chipped in the same amount—quite a substantial sum, wouldn't you say? And this pattern repeats itself for each tribe, with each offering exactly mirroring the last. This monotonous repetition of generosity is a meant to be a testament to the dedication and delight these tribes took in honouring the Lord with their gifts.
Now there is still more verses matter of fact this doesn't end here it goes to verse 89 at this point he gives us the totals so let's pick up the story at verse 84.
84 These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes. 85 Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.
(Numbers 7: 87-89)
So total Gold of £96,000 which already mentioned so the grand total of just the silver and the gold all 12 tribes was over £150,000 which in today’s money is a huge amount of money. Millions in today’s terms.
Then the animals
87 The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering. 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.
(Number 7: 87-88)
Now I didn't have any way to check out the price of animals so I didn't pursue it but that’s a large number of animals also.
Then it says in verse 89
89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.
(Number 7: 84-86)
So, when Moses enters the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard a voice emanating from above the mercy seat, between the cherubim, audible and clear.
Some commentators argue that this divine communication from the most holy place signifies God's acceptance of the offerings made during the Tabernacle's dedication. It's as if God said, "Well done, I'm pleased." One commentator even suggests that these generous gifts touched God's heart, reflecting the close relationship between Moses, representing the nation, and God.
So, in essence, this chapter culminates in God's pleasure over the offerings presented by the 12 tribes.
By the way this is the most verses I've ever covered in a single expository sermon up until today my record was 71, I just broke my record. This chapter has 89 verses, I just broke my record.
After today I will be able to say that I will have covered 89 verses about half as many minutes.
The point of telling you that is that you really need to be aware of the whole unit of the story.
In summary, this chapter illustrates that when the Israelites generously contributed to the dedication of the altar, the Lord was pleased. He spoke to Moses, expressing approval of their offerings.
But, what's our takeaway from all of this?
While you might not remember the exact prices of gold and silver, there are a couple of key suggestions to consider.
Firstly, let's embrace it generosity. Just as the Israelites demonstrated generosity in both constructing and dedicating the Tabernacle, we're called to follow suit. Consider the lavishness of God's creation—those vast fields of poppies or the vibrant life teeming beneath the ocean's surface. It's a testament to God's abundant generosity, which extends not only physically but spiritually as well. He showers us with blessings beyond measure.
Yet, alongside our generosity, and let's remember that we too should give out of gratitude. God desires our offerings to spring from hearts overflowing with thankfulness.
It's not about begrudgingly parting with what we have, but joyfully giving back in recognition of all that He has bestowed upon us.
So, as we reflect on this chapter, let's strive to emulate the Israelites' generosity, rooted in deep gratitude for the boundless blessings we've received from God also.
Some have also noted that the offering of the leaders then was a spontaneous response of grateful hearts to the goodness and grace of God.
That, I think really puts its finger it. God wants us to be grateful in our giving, they spontaneously gave out of a sense of gratitude.
Now in second Corinthians, God says all sets God wants us to do just that turn to 2nd Corinthians Chapter 9 for a second Corinthians Chapter 9 and he says verse 6 but this.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work
(II Cor 9: 6-7)
And the word translated cheerful actually means, “hilarious, whilst laughing”.
Verse six emphasizes the importance of generosity, but verse seven adds a crucial layer—it's not just about giving, but about doing so with the right attitude.
We're called to be grateful and joyful givers, approaching our offerings with a sense of privilege rather than obligation. Expressing our giving as a joyful opportunity rather than a mere duty.
That's the attitude we should strive for.
Then, verse eight delivers a powerful promise: God is able to make all grace abound toward us. This echoes the sentiment of Numbers Chapter 7.
When we are generous with the right attitude, God takes notice and showers us with His abundant grace. It's a reciprocal relationship of giving and receiving, where our generosity is met with God's abundant provision for every good work.
Consider the joy a parent feels when a child learns to give selflessly. In the same way, our Heavenly Father delights in our generosity.
Just as Moses meticulously recorded every gift in Numbers Chapter 7, God notices and treasures every act of generosity from His children. It's a deeply personal connection, reflecting God's love and care for each individual believer.
The profound impact of our potential generosity to other and selflessness cannot be overestimated. I know of people who have spontaneously decided to bless someone else with a gift and the effect has been profound.
Similarly, when we give generously and selflessly, God is pleased, and His blessings overflow in our lives.
In essence, the repetition in Numbers Chapter 7, frustrating though it may appear for us is meant to underscores an important truth:
When we give generously with the right attitude, God takes notice, and God delights in our offerings, and pours out His abundant grace upon us.
So, let's embrace generosity, approach giving with gratitude and joy, and rest assured that our Heavenly Father sees, values, and blesses every act of selfless giving he sees.