God Speaks
The Offerings for the Dedication of the Altar After It Was Anointed
Verse of the Day: [After receiving identical offerings from each of the leaders of the 12 Israelite tribes–] “When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak to 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.” (Numbers 7:89 NIV 2011)
Read or listen on BibleGateway.com
Watch TBR Day 057
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Numbers 7:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God treats people groups equally and fairly. Each tribal leader brought the same offerings to Moses to be used in the service of the Tabernacle.
2. Leaders should be consistent and responsible in their service to the people, seeking their constituents’ best interests, not the leaders’ political agenda. In Numbers 7, these leaders represented their people well by bringing their tribes’ offerings to the Tabernacle.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Numbers 7?
Thank You, LORD God, that You give people the privilege of giving back to You (in tangible ways) for all You have given to and for us. In this case, it was whole tribes that gave exactly the same offerings collectively instead of as individuals, which You also accept in other situations. Help me to participate in both ways of giving out of my love for You. Am I right to think that the carts, oxen, and other animals represented the livelihoods of common people in this agrarian society? If so, I would thank them for their sacrifice and their example. Did the silver for the platters and basins come from the wealthier folks among the tribes? Again, thanks for their unselfish actions. What an orderly presentation, without competition. In other places in Your scriptures, golden containers and incense represent the prayers of Your faithful ones. Is that the case here as well? O LORD that I love, please grant me the privilege of speaking with You in Your presence as You did with Moses in the Tabernacle. May I also hear Your voice clearly so that I can obey Your commands. Jesus’ blood, death, and resurrection did more than cover my sins. Thank You for all that they accomplished on behalf of me and all believers. May we all desire to bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Numbers 7? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will support the leaders of my local congregation with my time, talents, and treasures.
- I will participate in the services of my local congregation at least weekly.
- Besides my regular offerings, I will join (to the best of my ability) in group financial giving, for example, a building fund drive.
- I will pray daily for pastoral staff, members and regular attenders of my local congregation.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.