Numbers 7:1-8:4

Numbers 7:1-8:4

There is not much to be said about Numbers 7 for it is just a listing of what each tribe brought to the tabernacle on the day of consecration. They were all told to bring a certain amount of a certain list of items that lasted over 12 days (1 day per tribe). After these 12 days, the tabernacle was fully consecrated, and Moses went inside to speak with the Lord. This chapter continues to express how much God had organized the nation of Israel. What is interesting is that I discovered that many believe that this chapter actually chronologically occurred before Numbers 1-6. But the information provided in the first six chapters gave a foundation for understanding this chapter. Either way, this chapter shows when the tabernacle came into use so that all the duties that had been assigned in the first six chapters could be performed.

The opening verses of Numbers 8 explain the construction and use of the lampstand, which was previously discussed in Exodus when God gave Moses instructions on how to construct all of the different pieces of the tabernacle. So like Numbers 7, this short passage shows the completion of yet another one of God’s commands. It shows obedience on the part of Moses and the people of Israel.

I still feel as if I am struggling getting through some of these passages (Leviticus included). It is hard to figure out what purpose that they might serve us today in the 21st century when all of these practices no longer apply. We do not have to go to the tabernacle and offer sacrifices or carry out priestly duties as the Israelites had to. So at times I find it hard to understand what these two books have to offer. Another frustration lies within the fact that so many things are repeated, which makes it hard to keep reading. Numbers 7 contains 12 paragraphs that are almost identical (only changing the name of the man representing each of the 12 tribes of Israel). Then there are passages such as the opening verses of Numbers 8 that repeat something that I have already read.

But despite these frustrations and struggles there is one application that I keep getting drawn back to. The Israelites were not perfect people, as we will continue to see throughout the remainder of the Old Testament. However, there are times such as these two chapters where they exhibit obedience, even to God’s simple yet specific commands. When God told them how to make the different pieces of the tabernacle, they followed His instructions carefully and made it exactly as He had instructed. This should serve as a reminder to us to follow God even in the simple details of life. Obedience should not be an option for Christians. There were times (such as in these chapters) where the Israelites understood the importance of and demonstrated obedience.

Matt