Thoughts on Numbers 7
……Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering….
Numbers 7:2
As Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle, anointing to signify separation unto God was given to the furnishings as well as the priests who performed the Tabernacle service. These objects of worship were no longer for “common” use, but were holy and set apart for God. Similarly in 1 Pet 2:9, we are reminded of whose we have become when we make that sinner’s prayer and turn our lives to God.
Recently, there was a news report regarding the coronation of the King of England, how the public will be required to swear allegiance to its new Monarch. If this much was required by an earthly king, then much more is required by He who rules over the kings of the earth and has an everlasting dominion.
This fact is driven home as we consider the offerings made by the leaders of each tribe of Israel. Spanning a period of 12 days, each leader was required to present their offerings to God each day. Interestingly the offerings from every leader was the same and of equal value.
The implication of this lengthy chapter of Numbers 7 to us through the Holy Spirit is the necessity of pledging our allegiance to God.
I believe there are various ways we can do this, but one way as shown in today’s chapter is through our worship, whether of ourselves or through our offerings to God. As the temples of God, we must ensure nothing comes between our constant engagement of His presence through worship.
In the same way God was pleased with the gifts presented by these tribes as expressions of worship from glad hearts, so is He pleased when our worship comes from hearts that are cheerful and glad.
Worshipping God in the Sanctuary whenever we gather for fellowship should therefore be engaging and participatory for every one of us and never be seen as doing the worship leader a favour through our responses.
