Every Part Matters-Numbers 6-7; Psalm 49; Proverbs 10:27-28

We don’t like repetition very much. We don’t like writing repetitively, and we don’t like reading anything that’s repetitive. If I write out a detailed description of a process, I only write it once. For instance, if I were to describe how my kids play on the slide at the playground, and I wanted to be really detailed, I would tell you that Emma ran up to the stairs at the base of the playground. She climbed them. She turned to the right, followed the platform, climbed another set of stairs, turned to the left, crossed a bridge, sat down at the top of the slide, and pushed herself forward. From there, gravity pulled her down to the end of the slide, and then she ran back to the stairs at the base of the playground.

 

I wouldn’t write this whole process out every time Emma played on the slide. And I wouldn’t repeat it to describe how Michael played on the slide, too. I would just say, “Michael did the same thing,” or, “And then Emma did it over and over.” You would get the point, right?

 

Well, today I read this description repeatedly in Numbers 7. By repeatedly, I mean that I read it twelve times:

The offering he brought 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 fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. – Numbers 7, many times

 

Why did they write this out 12 times? Who would want to write it out twelve times? Why didn’t they just say, “and he gave the same thing,” “and he gave the same thing,” “and he gave the same thing…”? I mean, this was written out by hand. There were no word processors. There was no copying and pasting.

 

I think the answer is found in the introduction to each of these descriptions. These offerings were presented by twelve men: Nahshon (v. 12), Nethanel (v. 18), Eliab (v. 24), Elizur (v. 30), Shelumiel (v. 36), Eliasaph (v. 42), Elishama (v. 48), Gamaliel (v. 54), Abidan (v. 60), Ahiezer (v. 66), Pagiel (v. 72) and Ahira (v. 78). And these twelve men represented, respectively, the twelve tribes of Israel: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher and Naphtali (same verses). Furthermore, the offerings they brought were not for just any occasion. These were the offerings to dedicate the Tabernacle of God! So what does this all mean for the repetition?

 

1. The repetition underscores how important this occasion was. God’s tabernacle was being dedicated, and the repetition of the sacrifices over a course of twelve days helps us, as we read, to realize in 15 minutes of time that this event went on and on and on. It was huge! And it was important. This was the dedication of God’s tabernacle!
2. The repetition reminds us that everyone was equally involved. No one tribe had more of a share in their God than the others. Each tribe and all their leaders were participating together as a nation in bringing these sacrifices to the LORD.
3. Finally, no one’s sacrifices were more important than other people’s sacrifices. By repeating the exact same description twelve times, it becomes clear that everyone’s sacrifice is appreciated. There’s no idea that says, “Nahshon offered this amazing sacrifice. And then Nethanel, Eliab, Elizur and the rest kind of did the same thing.” There are no copycats. There is no insincerity. God accepts each man’s and each tribe’s offerings as sincere, original, heart-felt acts of love and devotion. God appreciates them all equally. God honors them all the same.

 

We come before God as equals. He does not show favoritism. He accepts us all equally. What is important is that we dedicate ourselves to God and His service. These gifts were given in obedience to Him—and every tribe was a part of it!

 

Father, thank You that You graciously accept us—all of us. You invite us all to participate in Your service as equals. You value us all. And you honor us all for our efforts, though ultimately the honor goes to you for even allowing us to come before Your throne! You do not overlook any of us. Thank You for this picture of You and Your appreciation for Your people. May we seek Your favor side-by-side, as they did.