Numbers 7-9 Tabernacle Consecration and Passover Celebration

Thoughts

Numbers 7

Welcome to the longest chapter of the Torah!

This occurs immediately after Leviticus 10

Dedication of the Tabernacle:This takes place after Moses finishes setting up and anointing the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Leaders of the tribes bring their offerings for the dedication.

 Presentation of Gifts for Transport 

• Leaders offer carts and oxen to help transport the Tabernacle.
• God instructs Moses to distribute them to the Levites:
  • Gershonites: 2 carts and 4 oxen.
  • Merarites: 4 carts and 8 oxen.
  • Kohathites: None, because they carry the holy items on their shoulders.

 Dedication Offerings from Tribal Leaders: Each day, for 12 days, one tribal leader offers identical gifts:

• A silver plate and basin filled with fine flour.
• A gold dish with incense.
• Burnt offering: 1 young bull, 1 ram, 1 male lamb.
• Sin offering: 1 male goat.
• Peace offerings: 2 oxen, 5 rams, 5 male goats, 5 male lambs.

Moses heard God’s voice above the altar

Numbers 8

Seven lamps: of the golden lampstand (menorah) are to be arranged to give light.

Cleansing of the Levites (Priests were dedicated Leviticus 8-9)

• God gives instructions to purify the Levites so they can serve in the Tabernacle.
  • They are sprinkled with water of purification.
  • They shave their bodies and wash their clothes.

1. The Levites are presented before the Tent of Meeting and set apart for service.
2. A ritual offering is made: two bulls, one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering.
3. The Israelites lay their hands on the Levites, and Aaron presents them as a wave offering to the Lord.
4. The Levites replace the firstborn males from the other tribes for Tabernacle service.

Levites begin serving at age 25 and retire at 50.

After retirement, they may assist but not perform official duties.

Numbers 9

The Second Passover: In the first month of the second year after leaving Egypt, the Israelites are commanded to celebrate Passover.

God allows those who are unclean or away on a journey to observe Passover one month later (14th day of the second month).

Anyone (including foreigners among them) who is able but refuses to observe Passover is cut off from the people.

On the day the Tabernacle is set up, the cloud covers it by day and appears as fire by night. When the cloud lifts, the Israelites break camp and when the cloud stays, they remain in place.

Questions

Why not put Numbers 7 in Leviticus?

Is Moses allowed in holy of holies? Or did he hear God’s voice outside of the curtain? Priests had already been dedicated.

What did that look like to dismantle and rebuild tabernacle every few days? I know it was designed to be portable and we got lots of detail, but still envisioning it…

Application

We see a lot of worship and celebration in these chapters. From leaders giving gifts freely to help transport and Israelites wanting to celebrate Passover even if they were unclean. I feel like I do a pretty good job of practicing thankfulness and confession, but I can see how much more room there is for worship and celebration in my daily life. Outside of Sundays how often to a choose to recognize God’s presence in my life and respond with joy.