Numbers 7; The Twelve Days of Giving ~ 20251026 ~ Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org
2025 10/26 Numbers 7; The Twelve Days of Giving; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20251026_numbers-7.mp3
We are in chapter 7 of the Old Testament book of Numbers. At 89 verses, this is the second longest chapter in the whole Bible; the popular old time radio preacher J.Vernon Mcgee called it “a pretty monotonous chapter” “...one of the most remarkable chapters; the most monotonous thing I think I’ve ever…” It is an extensive catalog of what the tribes of Israel gave to the Lord.
Chronologically Out of Order
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,
One of the first things we note about this chapter is that it is chronologically out of place. Numbers 1:1 is dated the first day of the second month in the second year after they came out of Egypt; Exodus 40:17 puts the completion of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month of the second year.
So this chapter falls chronologically toward end of the account of Exodus, and one month before the first 6 chapters of Numbers. Many have been confused by this, but we are not surprised when our movies and stories flash back to previous events that give context to what is happening in the story.
Gifts Before the Face of YHWH
Numbers 7:2 the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached 3 and brought their offerings before the LORD, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle.
God gave the names of the chiefs of the tribes to Moses in chapter 1, the chosen representatives of the congregation, heads of the clans of Israel, one from each of the twelve tribes. These chosen representatives brought the gifts of the tribes to the face of YHWH and to the face of YHWH’s tent. This connects us back to the blessing at the end of chapter 6; ‘YHWH bless you, ...YHWH make his face to shine upon you, ...YHWH lift up his countenance upon you. Putting this section on giving after chapter 6 makes a theological point. The gifts of the people are presented to YHWH only in response to receiving blessings from YHWH, his grace, his peace, his very presence. YHWH’s heart is to bless us; he initiates the blessing; he puts his name on us, gives us a new identity. Our generosity is rooted in undeserved grace and flows from a heart overwhelmed by grace,
Carts and Oxen
Numbers 7:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man 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 sons of Gershon, according to their service. 8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.
YHWH God accepts our offerings; this too is grace. What a privilege it is to give to the service of the Lord.
This section makes sense here, because chapters 3 and 4 outline the duties of the family groups of Levites. The sons of Gershon were given two wagons to assist with the transportation of the fabric parts of the tabernacle, the fine linen, the goats’ hair, the rams’ skin and goatskins. The sons of Merari were given four wagons to assist in transporting the frame of the tent, the bars, pillars and bases. Exodus 38:27 tells us that the 100 silver bases that were the foundation of the structure weighed about a talent each (about 75 pounds); so that would be about 7,500 pounds just in the bases. The sons of Kohath were given none, because they were responsible for the transport of the holy furnishings of the tent, the ark, the altars and table and lampstand, and these holy things were not to be touched or looked at, but carried on their shoulders with poles through attached rings. If only king David would have paid attention to this chapter, it would have spared the life of Uzzah (2Sam.6). Ignorance of God’s word can have very serious consequences.
12 Days of Giving
Numbers 7:10 And the chiefs offered offerings for the dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed; and the chiefs offered their offering before the altar. 11 And the LORD said to Moses, “They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar.”
The allocation of the oxen and wagons commenced a period of twelve days of giving. Each of the twelve tribes was to have a day to present their gifts before the Lord.
12 He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. 13 And his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 14 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 15 one bull from the herd, 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 peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Grain Offering
A 3 lb silver plate and a 1.7 lb bowl full with a grain offering; the grain offering was a common kind of a tribute to a conquering king, acknowledging his rule and receiving his protection and peace. A memorial portion of the grain would be burned on the altar with the sacrifices to the Lord, and the remainder would go to supply the needs of the priests.
Incense
A quarter lb gold dish full of the unique blend of incense specific to the sanctuary. We see in Revlation 5:8 that the golden bowls full of incense are symbolic of the prayers of the saints. While all the other gifts would be used in relation to the bronze altar of sacrifice at the entrance of the tabernacle, the gold dish of incense would access the holy place
The Burnt Offering
The bull, ram and lamb were for a burnt offering, where the entire animal would go up in smoke. This offering was foundational to the sacrificial system, reminding us of our sinful nature, which can’t be remedied; it needs to be completely done away with and burned up on the altar.
Sin Offering
The male goat was for a sin offering. The sin offering dealt with specific instances of sin, sins of commission or sins of omission; when we do the thing we ought not do, or fail to do the good we ought to do.
Peace Offering
The two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male yearling lambs were for a peace offering or fellowship offering. The peace offering celebrated peace with God after our sin nature and sinful actions have been dealt with. The peace offering was a shared meal, a feast in the presence of YHWH, a bar-b-cue where some of the meat went up in smoke to YHWH, some was eaten by the priest, and some was eaten by the worshiper. We can only have true peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.5:1)
Offerings Remembered
This was the offering the first day of Nashon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. The only other thing we know about Nashon was that his sister Elisheba became the wife of Aaron the priest. Nashon was the grandfather of Boaz, who married Ruth, who was the great grandfather of king David, ancestor of Jesus in his flesh.
18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, the chief of Issachar, made an offering.
24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, the chief of the people of Zebulun:
30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, the chief of the people of Reuben:
36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, the chief of the people of Simeon:
42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the chief of the people of Gad:
48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, the chief of the people of Ephraim:
54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the chief of the people of Manasseh:
60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, the chief of the people of Benjamin:
66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the chief of the people of Dan:
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, the chief of the people of Asher:
78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, the chief of the people of Naphtali:
Each day one of the chiefs of Israel had the honor of presenting his gift to YHWH God. Each individual was named, each remembered, each tribe recognized, each gift noted. Each gave the same gift, the same weight, the same quantity. None was above another. The Lord accepted their gifts.
In Mark 12, the Lord of the temple sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Jesus took note. He acknowledged the minuscule gift of the widow as greater than all the others who contributed.
Diversity and Unity
Numbers 7:84 This was the dedication offering for the altar on the day when it was anointed, from the chiefs of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, twelve golden dishes, 85 each silver plate weighing 130 shekels and each basin 70, all the silver of the vessels 2,400 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, 86 the twelve golden dishes, full of incense, weighing 10 shekels apiece according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the dishes being 120 shekels; 87 all the cattle 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 cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings 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.
These twelve offerings from the twelve chiefs of the twelve tribes given across twelve days were one offering. This was the dedication offering. There was individual distinction, recognition, but there was unity. These many different parts make up one whole.
Paul says in Romans 12
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:...
Give That Which Has Been Given
The Bible is clear that every good gift is from above (Jas.1:17).
1 Corinthians 4:7 ...What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
David recognized and acknowledged this as he prepared for his son Solomon to build the temple:
1 Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. 10 Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
All things come from you. Of your own have we given. This was quite literally true of the Israelites, as they were delivered from slavery in Egypt, God said
Exodus 3:21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
God is the original giver.
Romans 11:35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
God gave the ultimate gift.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This chapter ends with God giving the ultimate gift; access.
Numbers 7:89 And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.
The invisible God gave us himself, he revealed himself to us, he spoke. God gave us his Word. ‘And the Word was with God and the Word was God.’ (Jn.1:1, 18)
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2025.10.26 Sermon Notes
Numbers 7; The Twelve Days of Giving
Gifts given before the face of YHWH
YHWH initiates all blessing
Numbers 6:22-27
The grain offering; tribute to the King
Leviticus 2
Incense; the prayers of the saints
Revelation 5:8
The burnt offering; our sin nature
Leviticus 1
The sin offering; sins of commission and omission
Leviticus 4; cf. James 4:17
The peace (fellowship) offering; a shared feast
Leviticus 3; Romans 5:1
Offerings remembered
Psalm 20:3; Mark 12:41-44
Diversity and unity
Romans 12:3-6
We give that which has been given
James 1:17; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Chronicles 29:9-14; Exodus 3:21-22; Romans 11:35-36; John 3:16
God gives us his Word
John 1:1, 18; Colossians 1:15
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Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org