NUMBERS
4 October 2023
Lesson: 5
Numbers 7:1-8:26
Sanctification Through Worship
Numbers 7 is the second longest chapter in the Bible, second only to Psalm 119.
Offerings given by the princes
This offering took place on the day that Moses fully set up the tabernacle, anointed it, and sanctified it (7:1).
Their first offerings were six wagons and twelve oxen. These wagons were a form of cart pulled by the oxen. They were very valuable. Remember, these people had been dirt-poor slaves in Egypt.
God told Moses to give the wagons to the Levites. However, note which of the three Levite families was excluded and why. He gave two wagons to the sons of Gershon. What did they have to carry? (See 3:25) The tent materials. He then gave four wagons to the sons of Merari. What did they have to carry? (See 3:36) The boards and bars. Why did he not give a wagon to the sons of Kohath? (See 3:31 and 7:9) They had to carry the furniture on their shoulders and not on a wagon.
Their second offerings were for the dedicating of the altar (7:10-11) and were very specific and each of the twelve princes gave the exact same thing. (Read 7:13-17) Reading this chapter, I often wonder why God did not just include the summary beginning in 7:84 rather than repeating the same details twelve times. God is obviously pleased with details. He cares about the offering of each individual tribe.
Read the summary of the offerings beginning in 7:84. After the twelve princes gave their offerings to dedicate the altar, Moses went into the tabernacle and God spoke to him.
Principles for Us Today
When you give a tithe or offering to the Lord, He takes note of exactly what you gave. He knows whether you gave it sparingly or bountifully (2Co 9:6). He knows whether you gave it grudgingly, of necessity or cheerfully (2Co 9:7). He takes into consideration the percentage of what you gave and what you kept back (Read Luke 21:2-4).
The lighting of the lamps
“Chapter 8 continues the section regarding the cleansing operation in preparation for the wilderness march. Those who were going to follow God and serve Him had to be clean.” J. Vernon McGee
“The actual lighting of the lamps was to be done to set forth symbolically the special presence which God had now (Num 7:89) actually established among His people.” Albert Barnes To this Constable adds, “The lighting of the lamps in the tabernacle symbolized the consecration of the Levites who were to represent the whole nation as lights to the world (vv. 1-4; cf. Isa. 42:6).” Thomas Constable
Cleansing of the Levites
Who were the Levites? They were the tribe set apart for God’s service (see 8:16-18). Moses, Aaron and the priests were of the Levite tribe. The Levites were helpers for the priests.
Their cleansing followed a specific ritual (8:7). Then a special offering was made (8:8). The children of Israel put their hands on the Levites (8:10). This was probably chief men, not every Israelite. Aaron offered the Levites as an offering to the Lord so that they could execute the service of the Lord (8:11). The Levites then placed their hands on the bulls and Aaron offered one as a sin offering and one as a burnt offering (8:12).
When the ceremony and offering were finished, the Levites were purified, they washed their clothes, and Aaron made an atonement for them (8:21).
God specified the age of the Levitical workers. They did not begin their duties until they were twenty-five years old and they retired when they reached fifty (8:24-26).
Principles for Us Today
Because God is holy and pure, He wants those serving Him to be set apart from sin as well. It is true that God has a higher standard for pastors and church leaders than for other Christians, yet He calls every true believer a saint (holy one), and calls each one to separate from evil. (2 Corinthians 6:17) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Timothy 2:22) “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” See also 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:11.