3/17/11
Numbers 7
Offerings of the Leaders
Numbers 7:1 On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings, and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils, 2 the leaders of Israel, heads of their ancestral houses, the leaders of the tribes, who were over those who were enrolled, made offerings. 3 They brought their offerings before the Lord, six covered wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox; they presented them before the tabernacle. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses: 5 Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each according to his service. 6 So Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. 7 Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the Gershonites, according to their service; 8 and four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the Merarites, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. 9 But to the Kohathites he gave none, because they were charged with the care of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulders. "But to the Kohathites he gave none, because they were charged with the care of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulders." I find this distinction marvelous. Gifts for those who had worked hard, but not for the Kohathites. Can there be any question they had a higher calling? "...they were charged with the care of the holy things." Is there any message here for modern church leaders? What about you and I? Do we read these words, shrug our shoulders and go on? 10 The leaders also presented offerings for the dedication of the altar at the time when it was anointed; the leaders presented their offering before the altar. 11 The Lord said to Moses: They shall present their offerings, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar. Also note the leaders are the ones doing the giving. Today the poor give more than the wealthy. It seems the more we get the harder it is to give.
12 The one who presented his offering the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah; 13 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 14 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 16 one male goat for a sin offering; 17 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.
18 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, presented an offering; 19 he presented for his offering one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 20 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 21 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, as a burnt offering; 22 one male goat as a sin offering; 23 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar. 24 On the third day Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the Zebulunites: 25 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 26 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 27 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 28 one male goat for a sin offering; 29 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.
30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the Reubenites: 31 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 32 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 33 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 34 one male goat for a sin offering; 35 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.
36 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the Simeonites: 37 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 38 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 39 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 40 one male goat for a sin offering; 41 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
42 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the Gadites: 43 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 44 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 45 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering; 47 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.
48 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the Ephraimites: 49 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 50 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 52 one male goat for a sin offering; 53 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.
54 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the Manassites: 55 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 56 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 57 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 58 one male goat for a sin offering; 59 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
60 On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the Benjaminites: 61 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 62 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 63 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 64 one male goat for a sin offering; 65 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.
66 On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the Danites: 67 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 68 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 69 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 70 one male goat for a sin offering; 71 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ochran, the leader of the Asherites: 73 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 74 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 75 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 76 one male goat for a sin offering; 77 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ochran.
78 On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the Naphtalites: 79 his offering was one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver basin weighing seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of choice flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 80 one golden dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 81 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 82 one male goat for a sin offering; 83 and for the sacrifice of well-being, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.
84 This was the dedication offering for the altar, at the time when it was anointed, from the leaders of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, twelve golden dishes, 85 each silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels and each basin seventy, all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, 86 the twelve golden dishes, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the dishes being one hundred twenty shekels; 87 all the livestock for the burnt offering twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve male lambs a year old, with their grain offering; and twelve male goats for a sin offering; 88 and all the livestock for the sacrifice of well-being twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar, after it was anointed.
89 When Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he would hear the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the covenant from between the two cherubim; thus it spoke to him.
Devotionals, Videos and more ...
by Bill Federer
This day, March 17th is the date St. Patrick died in 461AD. At sixteen, he was kidnapped to Ireland and made a slave on a pig farm for six years, until he escaped back to England. In his early forties he returned to Ireland, confronted the Druids, converted Chieftains, and used the three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity. Founding 300 churches and baptizing 120,000 converts, he wrote in his Confessions: “Patrick the sinner, an unlearned man to be sure…. None should ever say that it was my ignorance that accomplished any small thing… it was the gift of God.”
Federer, B. (2003). American minute. St. Louis, MO.: Amerisearch, Inc.
by D.H. Stern
The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance;
but all who rush in arrive only at want.
A fortune gained by a lying tongue
is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
Stern, D. H. (1998). Complete Jewish Bible-OE
: An English version of the Tanakh (OT) and
B'rit Hadashah (NT) (1st ed.). Clarksville, Md.: Jewish
New Testament Publications.
by Oswald Chambers
The worker’s ruling passion
Wherefore we labour, that, … we may be accepted of Him. --- 2 Cor. 5:9. Chambers, O. (1993). My Utmost for His Highest
“Wherefore we labour …” It is arduous work to keep the master ambition in front. It means holding one’s self to the high ideal year in and year out, not being ambitious to win souls or to establish churches or to have revivals, but being ambitious only to be “accepted of Him.” It is not lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but lack of labouring to keep the ideal right. Once a week at least take stock before God, and see whether you are keeping your life up to the standard He wishes. Paul is like a musician who does not heed the approval of the audience if he can catch the look of approval from his Master.
Any ambition which is in the tiniest degree away from this central one of being “approved unto God” may end in our being castaways. Learn to discern where the ambition leads, and you will see why it is so necessary to live facing the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says—Lest my body should make me take another line, I am constantly watching so that I may bring it into subjection and keep it under. (1 Cor. 9:27.)
I have to learn to relate everything to the master ambition, and to maintain it without any cessation. My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Is my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how noble?
the Poetry of R.S. Thomas
The Way of It
With her fingers she turns paint
into flowers, with her body
flowers into a remembrance
of herself. She is at work
always, mending the garment
of our marriage, foraging
like a bird for something
for us to eat. If there are thorns
in my life, it is she who
will press her breast to them and sing.
Her words, when she would scold,
are too sharp. She is busy
after for hours rubbing smiles
into the wounds. I saw her,
when young, and spread the panoply
of my feathers instinctively
to engage her. She was not deceived,
but accepted me as a girl
will under a thin moon
in love's absence as someone
she could build a home with
for her imagined child.
Shabbat 21b
Most of us want gifts. We enjoy receiving them—for birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions. Yet, we know that some gifts are simply unneeded or unwanted. Each of us likely has one such item stored in a closet or sitting on a shelf—unopened, unused, and collecting dust. Officers of nonprofit organizations tell stories of receiving countless unusable donations. For example, people frequently drop off old school textbooks at libraries. These volumes are not only unusable; they are also a disposal problem. In the end, such “gifts” end up costing the recipient much time and expense. Often, the donor expects a letter attesting that the contribution was worth a great deal of money.
At the same time, we have received—and given—enough gifts to know that we cannot possibly inform the recipient of every present beforehand. Nonetheless, as a general principle, the words of Rava bar Meḥasya, that a gift should be wanted by the recipient, are sound. Rava’s words can apply equally to other “gifts” that we give. Notification in advance is advisable. When we “dish out” advice to a friend, we think of it as helpful, but advice, like a gift, should be wanted. Doesn’t the advice we receive from others go farther when they first say to us: “Would you like my comments about your dress?” “Can I share with you a thought about your report?” “Would you mind my being frank about this plan?”
Whether we are giving another a birthday gift or words of wisdom, we should strive to make sure that we inform the recipient. Doing less may leave our gift or favor unusable and unwanted. Informing another means that the gift can be both given and received in the same welcome spirit.
We raise up in matters of holiness, not bring down.
Text / Our Rabbis taught: “The mitzvah of Hanukkah—a light for a man and his household. Those who are particular—a light for each and every person. Those who are extremely particular—Bet Shammai says: ‘On the first day light eight; from then on, continue to decrease.’ Bet Hillel says: ‘On the first day light one; from then on continue to add.’ ” Ulla said: “Two Amoraim in the West, Rabbi Yosé bar Avin and Rabbi Yosé bar Zavida, disagreed. One said: ‘The reason of Bet Shammai is that it corresponds to the days that are left, and the reason of Bet Hillel is that it corresponds to the days that are past.’ The other said: ‘The reason of Bet Shammai is that it corresponds to the bulls [offered] on the festival [of Sukkot], and the reason of Bet Hillel is that we raise up in matters of holiness, not bring down.’ ”
Context / On the fifteenth day of the seventh month [the festival of Sukkot], you shall observe a sacred occasion.… You shall present a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord: Thirteen bulls of the herd.… Second day: Twelve bulls of the herd.… Third day: Eleven bulls.… Fourth day: Ten bulls.… Fifth day: Nine bulls.… Sixth day: Eight bulls.… Seventh day: Seven bulls.… On the eighth day you shall hold a solemn gathering.… You shall present a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord; one bull.… (Numbers 29:12–36)
Though the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is such a well-known ritual, we read in the Gemara that there were four different traditions of how it was to be done. The basic method was to kindle one light each night of the festival: the first night, one light; then on the second night, again only one light was kindled. The second method was a variation of the first, but each individual kindled one light, every night. The last two methods are those of Bet Hillel and Bet Shammai. Bet Hillel set the custom that we follow to this day. Bet Shammai practiced that custom, but in reverse.
Two explanations are brought for the different practices of the two schools. Bet Shammai’s lighting eight candles the first day and gradually decreasing the lights reminds us of how many days are left in the holiday; Bet Hillel’s starting with one and then increasing highlights which day we are on. Additionally, the decreasing candles parallel the decreasing number of bulls sacrificed during Sukkot. (The connection between Hanukkah and Sukkot is interesting: Both are observed for eight days. In addition, after the Maccabees liberated and rededicated the Temple, they celebrated the Sukkot festival, because they had been unable to celebrate it while in the wilderness, fighting.) Bet Hillel had a philosophical basis for its custom: In matters of holiness, in other words, in things relating to God and religion, it was important to “raise up,” rather than bring down. Bet Shammai’s practice makes us feel that the ritual is dwindling and disappearing; Bet Hillel’s custom leaves us with a sense of growth and strength.
Katz, M., & Schwartz, G. (1998). Swimming in the Sea of Talmud: Lessons for Everyday LIving
. Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society.by Diana Wallis
They are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name …so that they may be one as we are one. --- John 17:11
This Scripture contains the first preparation of Christ for death, where he sets his house in order, prays for his people, and blesses them before he dies. The love of Christ was ever tender and strong to his people, but the greatest demonstration of it was at parting, in two ways especially: in leaving support and comfort with them in his last heavenly sermon, in John 14 through 16, and in pouring out his soul to the Father for them in this heavenly prayer, chapter 17. In this prayer he gives them a sample of his intercession, which he was just then going to perform in heaven for them. Here his heart overflowed, for he was leaving them and going to the Father. The last words of a dying person are remarkable—how much more a dying Savior?
We have here Christ’s petition in behalf of his people, not only those at that place, but all others that then did or afterwards would believe on him. And the sum of what he here requests for them is that his Father would protect them through his name, where you have both the mercy and the means of attaining it. The mercy is to be protected. Protecting implies danger, and there is a double danger anticipated in this request: danger in respect of sin and danger in respect of ruin and destruction. To both these the people of God lie open in this world.
The means of their preservation from both is the name, that is, the power of God. This name of the Lord is the strong tower that the righteous run to and are safe (Prov. 18:10). Alas! It is not your own strength or wisdom that keeps you, but you are kept by the mighty power of God. This protecting power of God does not, however, exclude our care and diligence but implies it. God keeps his people, and yet they are to keep themselves in God’s love (Jude 21), to, above all else, guard their hearts (Prov. 4:23).
The arguments with which he urges and presses on this request are drawn partly from his own condition—within a very few hours he will be separated from them in regard to his corporeal presence; partly from their condition—“they are still in the world,” that is, I must leave them in the midst of danger; and partly from the joint interest his Father and he himself had in them: Keep those you have given me. --- John Flavel
Wallis, D. (2001). Take Heart: Daily Devotions with the Church's Great Preachers
A Nation: Numbers 1–10
Here is where we see the first indication that the great mob of people who swarmed out of Egypt are now to be treated as a responsible nation. A census was taken, with the men of military age numbering 603,550. This figure is given in several different texts, though in some it is rounded off (Ex. 12:37; 38:26; Num. 1:46; 2:32; 11:21). The later census of Numbers 26:51 shows similarity, but also some change over the 38-year period. The total population of Israel now ready to leave Sinai probably ranged between 2 and 2 1/2 million people. Tribal marching and camping positions were set. The duties of the Levites were defined, and a system of trumpet calls was set to signal assembly, the order of departure, alarms, etc. As the people of Israel marched they were to respond to the direct leading of God. The pillar of cloud and fire which had appeared as Israel left Egypt (Exodus 13:21) now rested over the tabernacle. When the cloud rested, the people remained in camp. But when in the morning the cloud lifted up, the people set out and followed it as God led them where He chose. As the Bible says, “At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order in accordance with His command through Moses” (Numbers 9:23). Even in this, the people were being taught to respond to God. God’s people must always look to Him for guidance, and go or wait at His command.