Numbers 7 Commentary: Wagons to transport the Tabernacle.
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After dedication of the sanctuary, leaders of the people – the same that were selected to help with the census, presented their gifts. The gifts consisted of wagons for the transportation of the tabernacle articles. However, the sacred items were to be carried on people’s shoulders. The LORD desires a personal relationship. The items that represented the LORD and were considered sacred (all made of pure gold) were carried by people.
Even now the LORD still desires a personal relationship with His people. Our prayers need not be recorded. The meaning of a ‘closet time’ with one’s Creator can be expanded to include effort aimed at prioritizing God in our lives.
As the young rich ruler discovered, wagons, riches, gifts…are not enough for a healthy relationship with the LORD. The LORD desires ‘the person’.
Other gifts were presented by the leaders. The gift list is long. There are a couple of notes on the gifts. The items presented were of value and could be used in ministry at the sanctuary. Secondly, the items were similar. It points to the fact that Moses instructed them on what to bring to the sanctuary. So we can learn two things: our giving should be of value and usable in the ministry and secondly our church leaders can provide guidance on items to be given.
Thanks for reading one of the longest chapters in the Bible – among the top 10. I’m grateful to the Good News Translation for its summarized format! At the same time I know just how much I miss by going that route. Each leader presents a prayer before the LORD by their gifts. Each leader’s gift is special to the LORD and is treated like that. It’s a lesson we draw from these repetitions. One cannot simply record a prayer and schedule it to play every morning and call it morning devotion! Same prayer or not, prayer must be said by the worshipper, as many times as may be necessary without being bothered about repetitions.
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