Numbers

The book of Numbers recounts the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel. It significantly includes the challenges Moses faced as he sought to guide them into the promised land.

Title misleading

The title “Numbers” comes from the Septuagint and hints at a numerical content. Actually, only a small portion of the book consists of numbers. Chapters one and 26 give census details for the 12 tribes whose fighting men then numbered over 600,000. Israel had become a vast company in comparison to the 70 that joined Joseph in Egypt (Exo. 1:5). The promise to Abraham was already being fulfilled, even while the Israelites were slaves in a cruel land. Is it any wonder that the Egyptian Pharaoh became concerned when he realized that “the children of Israel are more and mightier than we” (Exo. 1:9).

The title, Numbers, tends to obscure the real contents of this book while the Hebrew title, bemidbar, “in the wilder­ness,” is more descriptive. The book contains many lively accounts of the wanderings, as the children of Israel test the patience of God and Moses. Some incidents are well known to us for their excitement. One example is of the earth opening her mouth and swallowing up Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their houses (Num. 16:32). Others are more sobering, such as Moses being barred entry to the promised land for his sin of smiting the rock twice at the water of Meribah (Num. 20:11).

The account in Numbers 7 is memorable as a particularly long and repetitive reading, the longest in the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy).

Numbers 7

This chapter describes events that took place about a year after the exodus. The tabernacle is up, anointed and sanctified in preparation for wilderness worship (Exo. 40:9,17). Princes of the tribes then bring an offering of six wagons and twelve oxen before the Lord who said to Moses: “Take it of them…to do the service of the tabernacle…thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to the service” (7:5).

An interesting aspect of this generous act is the co-operative nature of the giving. They offered “a wagon for two of the princes” (7:3). That the offering was voluntary is evident by the fact that God had to advise Moses to accept it for the service of the tabernacle.

The practical nature of the offering suggests an understanding by the princes that the movement of the taber­nacle from its present location would not be an easy task. Here was an excellent opportunity to offer the Levites some material assistance in their labors.

The lesson for us is that, as we do God’s service, perceptive, cooperative and willing service is essential so that none of our brethren has too heavy a load to bear. As we are told, “but to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:16). Such willing service will be acknowledged at the judgment: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40).

As they had need

The princes’ offering was not divided equally among the branches of the Levites (Gershon, Merari and Kohath) but “to every man according to his service” (v.5). The sons of Merari, having the heaviest burden (boards, bars, pillars, sockets, vessels, etc., Num. 3:36,37) received four wagons and eight oxen, while the sons of Gershon, with a lighter burden (covering, hangings, curtains and cords), received two wagons and four oxen. The sons of Kohath did not share in the offering because their “service of the sanctuary…was that they should bear upon their shoulders.” This was an important detail in bearing the ark that cost Uzzah his life and David much grief (II Sam. 6:6).

Sharing important

So, too, must we participate in sharing heavy and light loads with our breth­ren as did the disciples. “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea” (Acts 11:29). At other times, we must shoulder the responsibility individually, but always with God’s guidance, as did our Lord.

The division of the princes’ offering acknowledged the various responsibilities of the Levites in such a way that the gift offered by the princes was accepted and used optimally in the service of the LORD.

12 identical lists

Much of the remainder of Numbers 7 becomes very predictable when read aloud. To alleviate this, one modem version (TEV), after naming all the princes, accommodates the impatient reader by condensing these verses, describing the additional offerings only once. Although this makes for a shorter, less repetitive reading, it negates the overall focus of this chapter.

The LORD said unto Moses, “They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day” (Num. 7:11). Scripture gives emphasis to what follows well beyond the scant attention given in the modem version. Whereas man, for his convenience, would say, “and so forth,” God singles each prince out and lists his gifts.

All gifts are equally appreciated. No tribe is brushed aside while another receives undue prominence. The gifts were equal, the recognition and praise was also equal. This voluntary offering was pleasing to God. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb. 6:10).

Even the order of giving does not indicate preference for it follows the sequence of the tribes in their encampment around the tabernacle. The LORD is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).

God knows and appreciates

Clearly, this lengthy chapter makes us aware that the God we worship takes note of our every activity. He knows and records minute details to which men attach little significance. He is not capricious in any way but provides an equitable account of man’s deeds both good and bad. How blessed we are that God’s generous spirit takes time to record the little acts of kindness men do in His service from time to time. None of them is overlooked, as we are told.

We should read His word with the same careful attitude for it will build us up.