PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 7-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“In this way the Lord spoke to Moses.” (Numbers 7:89)
The tribes bring offerings to dedicate the altar, the meeting place with God.
The priests receive and present the offerings, assisted by the Levites.
The Levites represent those fully devoted to the maintaining the tent of meeting.
And the Lord is in the middle of it all, speaking with Moses.
There is a lot of religion and ritual in these chapters, but relationship is at the center.
God wants to be in relationship with us, devoted and in dialogue together.
Jesus brings an end to the religion and ritual, but not to its meaning and purpose.
He expands the blessing of relationship and speaking to everyone, not just a religious few.
And no longer bound to the temple, we can meet and speak with Jesus anywhere!
As Jesus followers, we can see ourselves symbolically like the people in these chapters.
We’ve been set apart, sprinkled with cleansing water, called to do the work of the Lord.
We offer ourselves and our gifts to the Lord’s service, to help others meet God!
Jesus is the key to of all this: Jesus is the way God speaks to us!
Can you see past the religion and ritual to see God’s heart: to meet and speak with you!
PRAYER
Lord, speak to me when we meet, receive the offering of my heart, and use me for your work. I want to be fully devoted to the work of helping others fellowship with you too!
“These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates,” At first I thought each leader represented a tribe – but noted that there was not an offering from a leader of the tribe of the Levites – which is the tribe that has been set aside for God’s service. So then I thought there should only be 11 – then I noted that the leaders of the of Manasseh and Ephraim (the two half tribes from Joseph) are counted separately – making the 12. For me its a picture of inclusiveness. The temple service dishes are presented to the Levites for the service of the tabernacle – as our the carts and oxen. All the leaders participate and contribute – and so do the Levites by their fulltime service. It is a picture of how we as a Christian community should work together to carry the ministry of grace to all the people! It is not just a service by the Levites or the elders or the deacons or the Pastors!
The people put their hands on the Levites. They were to go on living serving the Lord in the tabernacle. The peoples’ sins are transferred through the Levites who lay their hands on the heads of bulls. This happened again and again.
This is a picture of what Christ does for us – we put our sins and guilt on Jesus. We are living sacrifices – a living offering to God. We stand in His presence to show the world the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.