Numbers 7 - Furnishing the Tabernacle

Transporting the tabernacle was an undertaking. Many of the pieces were large and heavy. Though there were able bodies men identified, God supplied carts and oxen to assist with the burden through the gifts of the people. Moreover, God supplied the furnishings of the tabernacle through the generosity of the people. 

Whenever God did a work, He didn't need to rely on the charity of outside nations or on debt. He owns everything and he places wealth in the hands if his people to give for His glory. There was equity as well. Each tribe bore an equal portion of the burden regardless of their numbers or their special giftings. 

As you read through this lengthy chapter, you see a repetition. Tribe after tribe brought the furnishings for the tabernacle so that each tribe was represented there. They brought silver plates and bowls, gold dishes, grain offerings, burnt offerings, sin offerings and fellowship offerings. Each tribe sent a leader one day at a time with Judah first down to Naphtali. Likely all the precious metals were taken from Egypt at the time of the Exodus. 

God looks for us to be faithfully obedient to His commands. He asked the nation to furnish the tabernacle and they freely gave to God what He asked. Every lathing we own came from God's provision in our lives. We have no real rights to it. Though God could force it from us because it is His, He looks to see if we will be generous toward Him. Will we recognize His hand in our provision by freely giving?  

A precious verse is shared at the end if this chapter, Num 7:89 - Moses speaks to The Lord and he hears the Lord's voice coming from above the ark of the Testimony. God took note of the people's offering and met with Moses. 

Is it possible that we squelch the voice of God in our own lives by clinging tightly to our possessions?  Do we value stuff more than the provider of the stuff?  Do we love the world more than we love God?

We cannot have more than one love. Our loyalty must be clear and distinct. In 1 John 2:15 - 17 we see this command, "do not love the works or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For ever ting in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting if what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it's desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."  My dear friend, choose forever treasures and hold loosely to the things you have. Give God His rightful place and meet with Him in fellowship. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.