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- It is only one chapter, BUT it is the SECOND LONGEST chapter in the book. (Psalm 119 is the longest)
- (if anyone grew up catholic you will get this-) “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned, it has been 40 years since my last confession. After reading Nashon’s offering, I skimmed today”. 😉
Numbers 7:
Today’s chapter describes the offerings the tribes of Israel made for the tabernacle.
The process of altar dedication takes twelve days, and offerings by a leader representing each of the tribes are made on each of these sacred days. The offerings:
| Day 1 | Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah |
| Day 2 | Nethanel the son of Zuar, the chief of Issachar |
| Day 3 | Eliab the son of Helon, the chief of the people of Zebulun |
| Day 4 | Elizur the son of Shedeur, the chief of the people of Reuben |
| Day 5 | Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, the chief of the people of Simeon |
| Day 6 | Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the chief of the people of Gad |
| Day 7 | Elishama the son of Ammihud, the chief of the people of Ephraim |
| Day 8 | Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the chief of the people of Manasseh |
| Day 9 | Abidan the son of Gideoni, the chief of the people of Benjamin |
| Day 10 | Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the chief of the people of Dan |
| Day 11 | Pagiel the son of Ochran, the chief of the people of Asher |
| Day 12 | Ahira the son of Enan, the chief of the people of Naphtali |
The leaders who make the offerings are the same as those who assist with the census in Num 1:5–15, but there is a distinct order of offering.
Here in Num 7:1–88 the order of offering is influenced by the order of encampment given in Num 2, not birth order like it usually is.
(Jennifer H. I put this picture just for you. ❤️)
In case you “skimmed”, like me. (Evidently, my husband has not skipped a word, but I think he is a liar!)The chapter ends with a large summary of all the offerings and donations given for the tabernacle. Plates, basins, dishes, bulls, rams, lambs, grain offerings, goats.
The tabernacle itself is anointed when it is dedicated.
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.
Once it was dedicated, Moses entered the tent of meeting and the LORD spoke to him from the mercy seat.
What a moment!!! Time to start packing our bags…we are so close to getting on the road! Only a few things left to do…
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- Remember that they are to be the light of the world
- Commemorate where they were 1 year ago (slaves)
- Blow the trumpet (gather the people)
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AND THEN IT IS TIME TO GO!!!
Reading the Bible - 2021 
As I am reading this — my brain is asking “How much of these offerings are the ones the priests must eat within the same day?” I mean, this is a lot of death – everyday! And a lot of work. I’m going back to the diagrams to try and see it more clearly. I cannot imagine the busyness of each of these 12 days. Keeping all of these animals unblemished, well organized, and leading them by each Tribe to the courtyard for slaughter. There’s a lot going on here!!! In case I don’t find it – what offerings did priests eat? I know burnt offering is whole animal…does anyone else wonder if Levites got tired of eating the same thing by day 3…and we still have 9 more days of sacrifice? I’m even more thankful for Jesus…and veggies today. 😉
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They each brought the following each day:
(A) Burnt Offering – all burnt, except skin
(B) Sin Offering – blood/fat/inner parts (?) offered to God, rest of it eaten by priest or males within Levites
(C) Fellowship Offering — I believe this is the only one where a portion of the meat is given to priests, then the “giver” can participate in eating.
Is that correct? I really am going to be late for work…🤣🤣
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Lori, I read your comment and wanted to reply but I had pulled an “all nighter” the night before steam cleaning my carpets since my house was hit with a virus like none other (not me, 3 kids and a husband), so I literally crawled in from work, threw my bra across the room (you ladies know what I am talking about) and slept for 12 hours! I woke up at 3 to read today 8-10 because I was so excited the cloud was lifting.
This is is hitting me hard because “I” am sitting, waiting for the cloud to move. I don’t have a bad cloud, I actually LOVE where I am, I have just been in the same spot for 3 years and I wish I knew if the cloud was going to stay here for a while (which I am ok with) or move me (I am ok with that too). I only want to move if it is a godly move. So until then, I sit!
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