February 15 - Numbers 7:1-89

Good morning everyone,

This morning we begin our reading with the second longest chapter in the Bible, the first longest is Psalm 119 which talks about the scripture and the blessings that come from the Word of God while Numbers 7 deals with giving.

After Moses anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils, the leaders of Israel, brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two leaders.The Lord instructed Moses to accept them for the Levites to use when carrying the tabernacle.

While you are reading, take note of how God wisely and graciously ordered more carts to those that had the most work. The Gershonites, having a pretty light load got two carts for the curtains and hangings.The Merarites, having a larger load got four wagons because they had to transport the boards, pillars, sockets, and such. With both groups, if they were not able to get all they were to carry into the carts then they were expected to carry the rest on their backs. I rather imagine there was some very strategic packing going on there. All of us have moved at one time or another; do you remember packing the U-Haul or what ever vehicle you used to move your possessions? I do! I did not want to make more trips than necessary, so it was with great planning that we would puzzle in every box and piece of furniture we had until there was not one foot of wasted space in the truck. I am thinking this was there plan too.

Then there was the Kohathites, they would get no wagons because they were to carry ark upon their shoulders with particular care and honor. Later, when we get to 1 Chronicles we will see just how serious God is about the care of the ark and the price a man named Uzza had to pay.

Most of the rest of the chapter is an accounting of the offerings the leaders were to bring on successive days. To emphasize the importance of each tribe’s individual participation, the description is repeated twelve times with the only difference being the name of the tribe.

The chapter finishes up with God speaking to Moses. We’re not told that Moses went into the Most Holy Place, only that he went into the tabernacle, and that God spoke from the Most Holy Place. Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful that would have been for Moses. I can only imagine the warmth, the peace, the awe of the moment and how humbled Moses must have been bathed in it all.

While we may not know the same experience as some in the Old Testament; God speaking directly to His people to tell them the proper way to live, He is always there for us to talk to and receive direction from. God will answer us through His written Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The amount of guidance you receive will be determined by how diligently, how earnestly you seek His face. Right?! He loves you, He loves me and He totally wants to bless us abundantly. I would encourage you to just let go, and let God.

I pray you have a super good day. To God be the glory.
God bless you all …