For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Num. 7
I still think this chapter could have been one twelfth as long as it is. I have no idea why the author had to spell out the exact same offering verbatim twelve times. Why not just say that all twelve men brought the exact same thing? Then again, maybe that’s the point. Because it was detailed all twelve times, we are now painfully aware that everybody made the exact same offering. Size, status, circumstance – none of that had any influence whatsoever on what they brought. The only thing that mattered was that this was the offering that God prescribed. I think there is some truth in there for those of us who come to Christ. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, it is the same sacrifice – Christ’s life, given for us – that covers us all.
Num. 8
In between the highly repetitive listing of offerings from the Israelite leaders and the process of consecrating the Levites, there is a random little paragraph concerning the seven lamps and the lampstand. Weird. And just random enough to make me think it probably isn’t random at all. But alas, if there is a connection to make, I am missing it. So for now I am left simply wondering why it is there.
Num. 9
I don’t know why the Bible doesn’t record things in the order they occurred. Instead, it jumps all over the place, making things more confusing than they already are. I guess there’s a reason it isn’t easy. Perhaps it is by design to encourage us to seek answers.
I mentioned a few chapters ago that God didn’t position Himself at the center of the Israelite camp until after they had all been registered through the census and had paid their ransom for being counted. Well now I see that before that even happened, they celebrated the Passover. God’s presence among us is no small thing. It is only possible because of everything He did to make it happen. May I never take that for granted.