Numbers 7-10
Numbers 7-10
These chapters continue the theme of God’s presence among His people. Chs 7-10 form a bridge between the initial census of Israel (chs 1-6), and the survey of the land and subsequent failure of faith within the community (chs 11-14). Here the prominence of the tabernacle—and its accompanying cultic activities—further displays the covenant relationship between the LORD and His own.
The twelve leaders who accompanied Moses and Aaron in the census of Israel (cf. 1.4-16) later brought offerings for the tabernacle. Israel and the nation’s leaders understood that they were set apart from all nations by God’s special dwelling among them. In 7.10-83 the text records that these leaders brought equal offerings, together representing “the dedication gift” (v. 84). The voice from the mercy seat may be taken as the LORD’s approval of these offerings (v. 89); this is the fellowship of the LORD and His people.
As was the case in the first section of Numbers (chs 1-6), here too the text details the significance of those who would serve at the tabernacle. Ch 8 gives special attention to the place of the Levites amongst the tribes of Israel:
- They were to be ceremonially consecrated for the work (vv. 6-7)
- Their sins had to be atoned through the legal ceremonies prescribed at Sinai (vv. 8-12)
- They represented the firstborn of Israel (vv. 13-22). That is, God took them as a special possession from amongst His people, and then gave them as a gift “to Aaron and his sons to perform the work for the Israelites at the tent of meeting and to make atonement on their behalf, so that no plague will come against the Israelites when they approach the sanctuary” (v. 19)
- The service of the Levites was restricted to the prime years of their lives (vv. 23-26)
While Israel had begun to enjoy God’s favor even while they were yet an enslaved nation in Egypt (cf. Ex 2.23-25), from the exodus onward, the flow of the narrative emphasizes God’s jealous longing for His people to recognize His presence among them; this was in fact the LORD’s stated motive for the tabernacle (cf. Ex 25.8). It is thus not difficult to understand why ch 9 would accentuate the Passover celebration—for it would annually recall Israel to their sanctification by the LORD. The prominence of the Passover in the life of Israel can be deduced from three ideas: even the ceremonially unclean were allowed to partake of the Passover (vv. 6-12), all ceremonially clean were required to partake of it (v. 13), and the willing foreign resident could observe the Passover according to the same statute as the native-born Israelite (v. 14). As Israel looked ahead to the conquest of Canaan, they were also to look back and remember their Deliverer who brought them out of Egypt.
The remaining portion of Num 7-10 pictures Israel as a nation preparing for the conquest of Canaan. They were led by the familiar cloud and fire (9.15-23). As they moved forward two silver trumpets were blown to summon the tribes when it was time to set out (10.1-8), to gather the tribes for cultic observation (10.10), and so that in times of battle Israel would be remembered by God and delivered from their enemies (10.9). To emphasize that Israel was a nation ready for conquest, the text records that Israel marched from the Wilderness of Sinai to the Wilderness of Paran by their military divisions (10.14, 18, 22, 25, 28).
During this time Moses persuaded his brother-in law to assist Israel in their journey; as one who knew the wilderness well, he could serve as Israel’s eyes (10.29-32). The scene concludes with the people acknowledging God’s presence among them both when the ark set out, and when it came to rest: “Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say: ‘Arise, LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee from Your presence.’ When it came to rest, he would say: ‘Return, LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel’” (10.35-36).
Num 7-10 emphasizes that as Israel set out for the conquest of Canaan they were to remember all that God had done for them in the exodus. These chapters have significance for the storyline of Scripture, showing both continuity and discontinuity with the age of the Messiah. The community of those who had believed upon Him were also called to remember their redemption—not from Egypt, but from the domain of Satan’s control. In his opening prayer for the Colossians Paul wrote of this, saying:
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1.11-14).
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, the community of faith proclaims the Lord’s death, looking to the day of His return (1 Cor 11.26). He implored them that in the meantime they ought to partake with reverence for Him, and self-examination concerning their love for one another: “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord…For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body (both of Christ and the body of the church), eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor 11.27, 29).
*For a complete list of references, please see scripturestoryline.com