Numbers 7 – 9
Verse 7:5 starts an acceptance of offerings:
“Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.”
This was concerning the oxen and carts given prior by each tribe. These tools were then distributed to the various groups depending on what they did and if they needed the carts or not. Verse 7:9 mentioned a group that got none and why:
But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.
From verses 7:12 thru 83 we find each tribe gives their offering, which is exactly the same thing. Over and over each tribe gives a silver basin, a silver plate, both full of flour, and oil, a gold dish full of incense, a bull, two oxen, six rams, sox lambs, and six goats for various offerings. 12 times these offerings are described in detail with only the names of the representatives from the tribes changing. I wonder why they did not devote 1 paragraph to the actual offering and then mention each tribe and their representative.
I was looking for an anomaly in the paragraphs that would bring out some great revelation, like the prayer of Jabez. But nothing was found.
In verse 8:7 God is speaking to Moses about preparing for the offering:
Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.
In the cycling world serious “roadies” tend to shave their legs; swimmers shave their entire bodies all for a less resistance. But we find this shaving the body was nothing new. In the case of the Levites it was to become ultimately clean. Hair is one of those parts of the body that tend to store toxins and tend to be the most difficult to clean. God knew this and wanted to ensure the purity of his workers.
Verses 9:22 -23 talk about the “cloud” that the Israelites followed:
22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. 23 At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses
As you know the after leaving Egypt the Israelites followed a pillar of smoke during the day and a pillar of fire at night. I find it interesting how God manages this large group. Remember the numbers are upwards of a million people and ensuring everyone is ready for the next move I am sure was the most important thing on God’s mind. I am sure the young were chomping on the bit to get to the final destination, but the elderly and small infants needed time. I am sure with a group that large there were many births and deaths along the way, which I am sure God accounted for in his delays or short stays.
Also another aspect is his omniscience’s, which allows God to foresee dangers and move the people away from the problems. Often times in our lives I wonder how many times the pillar we are following, but most of the time unaware of, is moved to advert an unknown hazard. How many times have you been praying for one thing and something completely different happens? If you knew everything and was keeping tabs on other events and actions maybe the prayer would have been different in the first place!