Read to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Numbers 7
Numbers 7:89
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
What a chapter! On the surface it may seem redundant, even boring for us to read. But just below the surface, on just a little bit of a deeper level, three wonderful stories converge.
The first is that the Tabernacle is set up. According to Exodus 40:17 this took place in the first month of the second year on the first day of the month. This would be the month of April according to our calendar. All the work in constructing the tabernacle was finished. This alone is a great feat that this nomadic group of so many would contribute to and work toward this great day. The day the tabernacle was set up a plan came together; how they must have rejoiced in its completion!
The second story is the uniform offering given by each of the twelve tribes over twelve days. Each tribe was represented by their civil leader, and each gave the same sacrifices. These offerings would belong to the tribe of Levi for various uses. These included the required elements of the burnt offerings, sin offerings and peace offerings. The uniformity of the offerings, to me, speaks of the sameness of the offering that born again children of God today offer for forgiveness of our sins which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (His death, burial, and resurrection) through faith. Jesus is our only sacrifice to God for sin. Individual believers may offer many various offerings, even sacrifices, through life, but for salvation there is only one sacrifice that God respects. That is His Son’s finished work.
The third story is one of a prophecy fulfilled. Back in Exodus 25:20-22 God relates to Moses that He will meet with him from above the mercy seat, between the two cherubims which were on the ark of the covenant. This was fulfilled in today’s chapter, the very last verse. Herein God spoke to Moses while Moses stood in the holy place in the tabernacle, he heard the voice of God beyond the veil from the Holy of Holies. There God spoke to Moses. This would be the manner in which God would direct Israel during the time of the tabernacle. God would speak to Moses, Moses would relay all that God said to the congregation of Israel once again showing forth the manner in which God communicates His will and way to all people today. God, in human form spoke to the disciples, which in turn wrote that which God communicated. Supernaturally then God preserved and compiled these writings into a collection approved of Him that we commonly call the New Testament of the Bible. In the old days He spoke through prophets like Moses, today He speaks to us by Christ through the apostles written words in our Bible.
Yes, Numbers 7 on the surface may seem superfluous but just a little bit below the surface are three wonderful stories. I trust you have enjoyed them.
William T. Howe Ph.D.
Comments