Numbers 7-8

As we begin, it’s important to note that the “events recorded in Numbers 1-6 were preceded by those described in Numbers 7-9:15.”[i] The tabernacle had been set up, anointed, and consecrated, as had all the furnishings that were to go inside the tent. Now, the chief leaders of each Israelite tribe came forward with a host of offerings to be “used in the service of the tent of meeting” as well as “for the dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed” (7:5, 10). All told:

This was the dedication offering for the altar on the day when it was anointed, from the chiefs of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, twelve golden dishes, each silver plate weighing 130 shekels and each basin 70, all the silver of the vessels 2,400 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, the twelve golden dishes, full of incense, weighing 10 shekels apiece according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the dishes being 120 shekels; all the cattle for the burnt offering twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve male lambs a year old, with their grain offering; and twelve male goats for a sin offering; and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty (7:84-88).

Quite a substantial contribution from God’s people to be sure, as each tribe brought forth the same offering. Once again, this portion of Scripture reveals the unity that the Israelites enjoyed at the time, as well as the exponential impact a group can have when sharing a singular focus. Here and now, may the body of Christ, in offering ourselves to God, be unified in our purpose to expand His Kingdom here on earth for the sake of His honor and glory. 

Before moving on to chapter 8, don’t gloss over verse 89 (emphasis added): “And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.” As we have discussed in previous days, God speaks to His people in a variety of ways, but are we taking intentional time to block out the external noise and position our heart and mind to hear from Him (as Moses did here by entering the tabernacle, away from the rest of the Israelites)? Those in leadership positions, let it be said even more of us that we are shepherding those in our care from a place of God’s direction instead of the prevailing winds of the day.

Numbers 8 opens with a command from God to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” You may already know this about a lampstand, but the intent of this fixture was not to produce light itself. Rather, it was to make the light more prominent. (Similar to a lamp base today, which props up a lightbulb to make its light reach further out.) In Revelation 1:20, the seven lampstands described there are said to represent the Church. Accordingly, we can safely surmise that part of our role as the corporate body of believers is to help the light of Jesus shine brighter and further. Is your lampstand serving its intended purpose, or do you have a faulty fixture? 

Following these instructions to Aaron, God directs Moses on how the Levites were to be cleansed for service, as well as outlining the length of time during which they were to serve. Moses was first tasked with sprinkling “the water of purification upon” the Levites (8:7). To us, this cleaning ritual “signified the application of the blood of Christ to our souls by faith, to purify us from an evil conscience, that we may be fit to serve the living God.”[ii] Ezekiel 36:25 affirms this point when God says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses…” May this remind all followers of Jesus that we are only equipped for Christian service and ministry once the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and we are made new creations in Him. 

Finally, we read about the length of time the Levites were to serve in the tabernacle: “from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more” (8:24-25). Ronald Allen suggests that God’s “mercy precluded a man doing the work that was demanded when he might be past his physical prime.”[iii] To that end, I would add that this is a reminder that our sovereign God appoints the number of days for each season of our lives, and it is for our good that we submit to His plans. 

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       Are you taking intentional time to block out the external noise and position your heart and mind to hear from God?

·       Is your lampstand serving its intended purpose, or do you have a faulty fixture? 

[i] Wiersbe, W. W. (2001). The Bible exposition commentary: The Pentateuch. David C. Cook. p. 312.

[ii] Henry, M. (2014). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible. (Vol. 1). Hendrickson Publishers. p. 465.

[iii] Allen, R. (1990). Numbers: The expositor’s Bible commentary. (Vol. 2). Zondervan.