DBG - February 17 - Numbers 7

This chapter is the second longest in the Bible by verse count (behind only Psalm 119) and third by word count (behind Psalm 119 and I Kings 8).  It is a record of the offerings presented by the leader of each tribe when the Tabernacle was dedicated and the priests consecrated in Leviticus 8.

vs. 1 – The timing of this offering appears to coincide with the consecration of the priesthood in Leviticus 8 and not the erection of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40.

vs. 2-3 – The tribes present the Levites with 6 wagons pulled by 2 oxen each transport the offerings to the Tabernacle.  Each wagon contains the offering of 2 tribes.

vs. 4-10 – The wagons are distributed among the Levites.  2 wagons go to the Gershonites, 4 to the Merarites.  The wagons were used in transporting the Tabernacle. The Kohathites received no wagons because they were to bear on their shoulders the furniture of the Tabernacle.

vs. 11 – The heads of the tribes will present a special offering, one a day for the next 12 days.  The offerings are all identical. 

vs. 12-17 – The offering from Judah.

vs. 18-23 – The offering from Issachar

vs. 24-29 - The offering from Zebulon

vs. 30-35 - The offering from Reuben

vs. 36-41 - The offering from Simeon

vs. 42-47 - The offering from Gad.

vs. 48-53 – The offering from Ephraim

vs. 54-59 - The offering from Manasseh

vs. 60-65 - The offering from Benjamin

vs. 66-71 - The offering from Dan

vs. 72-77 - The offering from Asher

vs 78-83 - The offering from Naphtali

vs. 84-88 – A summary of the offerings.

vs. 89 – This verse transitions to the next chapter.  What God says is given to the next chapter.

I will close with a quote from A.C. Gaebelein regarding God’s attention to our offerings:

“The critics of the Word of God have found fault with the lengthy statements and repetitions concerning the twelve princes and their offerings. If these critics had penned this chapter, they would have given these offerings in a verse or two. But what unbelief belittles and rejects, is precious to faith. The details of the offerings and repetitions are written by the Holy Spirit, that we may know that Jehovah takes notice of the devotion and sacrifice of His people. He keeps a record of it all. The same eye, which followed the princes as they approached the tabernacle with their wagons, saw the two mites, which the poor widow deposited into the treasury; the same eye sees us. He will not forget the least service rendered unto Him.”

Our hymn today takes up the theme of offering our praise, our possessions, and our selves to God.  Francis Pott wrote this text, “Angels Voices, Ever Singing”, in 1861.

Angel voices ever singing
round Thy throne of light,
angel harps, forever ringing,
rest not day nor night;
thousands only live to bless Thee
and confess thee Lord of might.

Thou who art beyond the farthest
mortal eye can scan,
can it be that Thou regardest
songs of sinful man?
Can we feel that Thou art near us
and wilt hear us? Yea, we can.

Yea, we know Thy love rejoices
o'er each work of Thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices
for Thy praise combine;
craftsman's art and music's measure
for Thy pleasure didst design.

Here, great God, today we offer
of Thine own to Thee;
and for Thine acceptance proffer,
all unworthily,
hearts and minds and hands and voices
in our choicest melody.

Honor, glory, might, and merit
Thine shall ever be,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
blessed Trinity:
of the best that Thou hast given
earth and heaven render Thee.