Learning to Follow God, Numbers 7 & 8

A song of ascents. 1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. 3 May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

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Learning to Follow God

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Consecration

“Will you please tell me in a word,” said a Christian woman to a minister, “what your idea of consecration is?”

Holding out a blank sheet of paper the pastor replied, “It is to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet, and to let God fill it in as He will.”

The Baptist Challenge

We each are to be consecrated to God when we pledge our faith in Him. God has a plan and call for each of us, but for some, God calls to be set aside for an even more dedicated service to Him. In today’s passage, we will see an example of this.

As we return to our subject in the book of Numbers, we find the nation of Israel is still at the foot of Sinai. They have not yet started their journey for the promised land because God is getting them organized. In the past weeks, we have seen God organize them into camps, provided each camp with leaders, given instructions about how they break camp and set up camp, and what order they march in. Now we come to the final organization piece before they set out. The final instructions provide for the organization of the Tabernacle and its transportation. Today we will be looking at chapters 7 and 8.

Please stand as we read our opening text for the day.

Numbers 7:1–10NIV

1 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. 2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. 3 They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle. 4 The Lordsaid to Moses, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.” 6 So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, 8 and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. 9 But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible. 10 When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar.

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I. Setting Apart for God Numbers 7& 8 David Brainerd was an American colonial missionary to the Indians who died at the age of twenty-nine. His diary reveals a young man intensely committed to God. Brainerd once said to Jonathan Edwards: “I do not go to heaven to be advanced but to give honor to God. It is no matter where I shall be stationed in heaven, whether I have a high seat or a low seat there...My heaven is to please God and glorify Him, and give all to Him, and to be wholly devoted to His glory.” (Today in the Word, November 19, 1997)

I cannot help but believe that if we all lived out Brainerd’s desire, our world would be completely different. How different would our world be if Israel had this same goal as they left Sinai? Despite their failures which we know are yet to come, in this moment and time we see repeated the phrase, “They did all that God told them.” We find that yet again in this passage. So, let’s look at what these acts of obedience were as they make their final preparations for departing for the Promise Land. The first thing they did were acts of…

A. Consecrating for God’s Use Numbers 7:1; 8:5-15

Consecration has to do with setting something aside for a holy purpose. It is dedicating something to the sole purpose of God and His needs. It may be objects or people. The people of Israel have been organized but before they can set off, arrangements needed to be made for the Tabernacle. God dwells there in their midst, but great care needs to be made for the moving of the Tabernacle. The priests were previously anointed and consecrated, as were the Tabernacle and its articles. It is the job of the priests to serve God and the people. They work as intermediaries between God and the people.

However, there was a certain amount of “grunt” work needed around the Tabernacle as well. If the priests do it all, they will not have time to do what God had appointed them to do. So, God is now providing the priests with the Levites to do these other heavy work tasks, freeing the priests to serve God and His needs. Later in the New Testament, God directs the apostles to do something similar which is when deacons became a thing in the church. They were appointed to do the day-to-day tasks of the church so that the apostles were free to study, write, and preach. In order for the Levites to serve around the Tabernacle and its holy articles…

1. The Levites are consecrated to serve God . Numbers 8:8-14

We saw in a previous week, that God had called for the Levites to be substituted for the firstborns who now belonged God since God saved them from the death angel in Egypt. The firstborns are now redeemed, either by a substituted Levite, or by paying a fee. We saw that there were a few hundred more firstborns, over Levites, so God set a fee to redeem the other firstborns giving them their freedom. The Levites and the fees, now belong to God. They have not become slaves to God but are glorious servants with the privilege of serving Holy God.

Now the time has come for the Levites to be consecrated to God. The service went like this.

1) The Levites stood before the Tabernacle and all Israel laid hands on them demonstrating that the Levites represented all Israel.

2) The Levites then laid their hands on a sin offering, showing that the lamb to be slain represented them.

3) Next a burn offering was made showing their dedication to God.

4) Then a wave offering was made. Aaron stood before God and waved two lambs before God. These lambs were a symbol signaling the separation, dedication and consecration of the Levites for God’s service. Once the ceremony was completed, the Levites were ordained for this holy service as directed by the priests, for God literally gave the Levites as gifts to the priest to help them. As such, they were considered “living sacrifices.”

Unlike the heathens who would sacrifice their children by fire to false gods, God prefers living sacrifices that can love and serve Him. Likewise, we are to serve God as living sacrifices. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans...

Romans 12:1NIV

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

In the church today, we have similar practices. There are certain people whom God calls to be consecrated to Him for preaching, teaching, and full-time evangelism. Pastors, Missionaries, and such. These people are then consecrated to God. People give confirmation that they see God’s call on these people’s lives. These people usually take classes to prepare them for this work and the day comes when they are ordained (or consecrated if you will) for this work. At that time, pastoral leaders anoint them with oil and lay hands on them, consecrating them for their service to God.

Just like the priests of old, the pastors and missionaries can find themselves unable to do the work they are called to do if they are busy doing the administrative or grunt work around the church. So, the people appoint helpers in the form of board members who work alongside the pastor. They serve the pastor, much like the Levites were called to serve the priests. The Levites never worked according to their own design but were instructed by the priests.

Likewise, the pastors of today oversee the board members, but if a pastor is wise, he listens to the wisdom of those who work with them. They often have skills or knowledge of a more practical nature for building and ground upkeep. The Pastor is the messenger of God, and the board members represent the people. However, all are called to listen to God and work together to care and provide for the buildings and articles which represent our gathering before God.

One of the key responsibilities of the Levites was the moving of the Tabernacle. This had to be a team effort. They holy articles from within were not allowed to be touched by anyone but a priest. So, the priests would carefully wrap and prepare these articles to be moved, while the Levites did the physical carrying of everything. But this would require some heavy equipment. So, God calls for...

B. Gifts for the Tabernacle Numbers 7:2-88

Numbers 7:2–3NIV

2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. 3They brought as their gifts before the Lordsix covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.

For twelve days, the priests received gifts from Israel. Each day, one tribe would bring them gifts and make their sacrifices. I am not going to read all of these, but allow me to read from the first day, so you can see what was given.

Numbers 7:12–17NIV

12 The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. 13 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 14 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 15 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 16 one male goat for a sin offering; 17and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.

Some of these articles were for use at/in the Tabernacle. The equipment would be used to help transport the Tabernacle, and the offerings were made on behalf of each tribe when they presented their gifts. There are some important things we need to note about gifts given to God. These offerings were for a time of dedication; however, gifts were given regularly that provided for the priests and the Tabernacle needs. Much as we provide our tithes and offerings today. Tithe was required by God but offerings were to be of free will. I will speak a bit more on this shortly.

1. God is the provider of the gift.

Ultimately, God is the gift giver. We may be the one giving the gift, but we can give God nothing that He hasn’t provided us. Whether it be tithes, offerings, talents, etc…, they all originally come from God. He provides us with what to bring.

The people of Israel had been slaves so had very little. However, when they left Egypt, God freed them in such a way that the Egyptians provided them with gifts of gold and silver and such. This in turn allowed them the assets they needed to build the Tabernacle. They were so glad to be free that they gladly gave of these articles for the Tabernacle and now again as gifts of dedication for the Tabernacle, the Priests, and the Levites.

2. God inspires our giving.

We are not told how it came to be that every tribe came to bring the same gift. Did Moses instruct them what to bring? Was there a town hall meeting where the leaders discussed it, and this is what they decided on? Did they all just decide on their own and it turned out to be the same thing? I really have no idea. However, I do know that God lays on our hearts what He desires us to give. When we do give, it is to be with gladness and not grudgingly.

2 Corinthians 9:5, 7 NIV

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given…7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

When possible, I try to give you a heads up when we take special offerings for this reason. When it comes up suddenly, we have not had time to pray and think about it. We sometimes feel pressure to give to something we are not certain about or are not sure we can afford. But God does not wish us to give in such situations. It is better to not jump to give when you are uncomfortable with it. Give as you truly have a desire to do so. We are called to tithe ten percent of our gross earnings to God. This is His command; however, offerings are to be of a free will nature. They are to be something we cheerfully do.

I do find it interesting in this situation, that all the gifts were equal. No one could brag that they had given more. It is a sad thing when human pride enters our gift giving. When our pride kicks in, we have just taken credit for the gift without giving credit to God. I appreciate when someone wishes to gift the church in some way, but I am sometimes uncertain when they want it tagged in their memory. I am not talking about family members wanting a memorial for a loved one. In memory of someone is one thing, but when we want the benefit of people looking at us as generous benefactors, we have just left God behind and pride has taken over.

3. God re-gifts for Service to Others. Numbers 7:4-9

The people brought their gifts, and God had a specific purpose for these gifts. This is why we know God was in the giving of these gifts, whether through inspiration or direction.

Numbers 7:4–9NIV

4 The Lord said to Moses, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.” 6 So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, 8 and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. 9 But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.

These gifts would now provide the means for the heavy pieces of the Tabernacle to be transported through the wilderness. They were not given equally to all, but instead were parceled out as there was need.

God has no use of our gifts. The best gifts we give God are our obedience and our love. However, in this world, God re-gifts the funds and articles given to serve others. We see this every day. The funds given the church go to maintain our buildings and pay our pastors so we can minister and serve others. We send funds to the mission field to build structures like churches and schools. We support hospitals and clinics in nations without them. We send funds to those in need from disasters. We aid the poor. (Nazarene salaries so people can serve).

However, those are not the only kinds of gifts God provides. God also gifts us with talents. Those talents are not for our own pleasure but are meant to be used to serve others. Judy has a beautiful gift to decorate, and she uses it to help make our church a pleasing environment where people are willing to come. Dale does incredible woodwork, and he has used it here at church to meet our needs and to serve others with needs (Ken, Tom, & Dale helping Mouse). Helen has a gift of teaching and Pam a gift of music and worship. These are only a small sampling of those who serve our church with their talents.

As I shared earlier, we are to be living sacrifices, pouring out our time, talents and finances to serve others that they may come to know God, as well as lovingly seeing to each other’s needs as any loving family would do.

Then we come to an interesting detail that is so often overlooked.

C. God Provided a Retirement Plan Numbers 8:23-26

I find this interesting as I hear people often say, there is no retirement in the Bible. However, there is a retirement noted here. Do not misunderstand! It does not say that they quit, sit, and vegetate. However, it does seem to acknowledge that our bodies slow down and we are no longer able to do the same level of work we used to. Look at this interesting passage.

Numbers 8:23–26NIV

23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

In other places in the Bible it talks about them starting work in the Tabernacle at age 30. Many believe that at age 25, they began as apprentices in the Tabernacle. At age 30, they took up the full responsibility and they served for twenty full years. Then they were to retire. They could still assist, but they did not work the heavy load they once did.

In our society, many younger people seem to think the older generation should carry the workload of the church so they can be busy with their lives (families, jobs, community events, etc…). However, this passage seems to say otherwise.

When I was a children’s pastor’s intern, I noticed that many of the children’s pastors that I had worked with were retiring. When I heard their stories, each had been in ministry for 25 years. None of them said, I have been in ministry for 25 years so I think I should retire. They all said, I am really tired, and I cannot seem to find the energy to do it anymore. Then I hit that 25-year benchmark in Children’s ministries. I felt like I hit a wall and could not continue any more. I noticed a serious decrease in my ability to do the workload and hours I used to. There comes a time when we just cannot do our very best anymore. It is not because we do not care to, but because our bodies are just not capable anymore. I believe God shows His care of His people by allowing them to slow down at this time in life and calling the younger generation to step up. God is also showing care for the church to do its best by placing the strongest in those roles of service. Those who retire do not quit, but they assist at a level that they are better able to do.

Now that the Tabernacle is all set up, established, and ready both to serve and to be transported, we find God in residence.

Numbers 7:89NIV

89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lordspoke to him.

How thrilling this must have been for Moses and the people! God was in their midst. God dwelt in the Tabernacle upon the ark like a throne. There is one final detail and then they will be ready to head out. That is our subject for next week.

Conclusion

Allow me to close with some final practical principles for today from these chapters.

D. Practical Principles for Today!

1. It is God who chooses , equips , and consecrates His people for spiritual service.

I do not envy the pastors who serve on the committees that oversee pastoral ordination. They spend time in group settings questioning them and praying for wisdom regarding the potential call. It is their job to weed out those they feel God has not called and to encourage those who are called. This is not easy. We are all works in progress at every level of maturity and the last thing we want to do is to stand before God and explain why we refused someone He called. On the other side, we do not want to ordain people who will misuse their authority for personal gain and there are many of those out there as well.

Whenever you think about ordinations, please pray for those who are in the positions to decide who is ordained and who is not, as well as for those truly called and in that process.

2. We obey God’s call to what He calls us to minister or ministry assistant .

We all have a part to play. It may be pastor. It may be board member. It may be as a host bringing hospitality to those who visit (Ellie and Sue). A Christian has a responsibility to find out how God is calling them to serve the church.

3. Both minister and ministry assistant are important . 1 Corinthians 12

Paul had a great chapter on this subject. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about how we all have a part to play, and all parts are important to the ministry of the church. One is not more important than another. The priests needed the Levites to do their part, so they as priests had time to do theirs. The Levites, likewise, needed what was provided by their fellow Israelites. The Levites living was supplied by the gifts and sacrifices of all Israel.

Everyone has a part to play and when anyone is missing, the rest never runs as well or as smoothly as it should. When someone is not doing their part, it is like a machine missing a cog. It either doesn’t run or it moves stilted and struggles to function.

4. We are to serve God first, and people second .

God’s direction is always more important than pleasing people. When God’s directions are followed, all are served to their very best.

5. We are all called to serve in some capacity in God’s church.

I have already said this, but it is important to remember, we all have a part to play. We work as a family serving God and each other together. Let me close with what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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