God ‘WILL ACCEPT’ our FREEWILL OFFERINGS!
February
11 Bible Reading: Numbers Chapters 7-9
God ‘WILL ACCEPT’ our FREEWILL OFFERINGS!
"Then the leaders of Israel, the heads
of their fathers' houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who
were numbered, made an offering. And they brought their offering before the
Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders,
and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle. Then the
Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Accept these from them, that they may be
used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you shall give them to
the Levites, to every man according to his service." So Moses took the
carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites." (Num 7:2-6)
Numbers 7 is
the longest chapter that specifically deals with generous offerings brought by
the leaders of the tribes just after the tabernacle was set up. This chapter
emphasizes that sacrifice and ministry are essential to the life of God’s
people. As tribal leaders, these men set an example in giving to the Lord’s
work. The tabernacle had now been built, but now there must be means of transporting
the tabernacle fixtures, except the ‘holy
things’ inside the tabernacle that had to be carried on the shoulders of
the sons of Kohath (v. 9).
On the first
day of the first month in the second year after the Exodus, Moses set up the
tabernacle (Ex. 40:2, 17). After Moses finished his work in setting and
consecrating it for the work of God, something unrehearsed happened. Then, the newly appointed twelve tribal leaders
rose to the occasion, and on their own
initiative presented six covered carts and twelve oxen as offering for the newly dedicated tabernacle (v. 3) that
would be later utilized by the sons of Gershon and Merari to assist them in
transporting their parts of the tabernacle and its furnishings (vv. 7-8). We
can note that covered carts would
have been especially appropriate for the transportation of the elements of the
tabernacle.
What we can
understand from this act of liberality
is that these tribal leaders were responding to the grace of God that was shown
in the establishment of the tabernacle and priesthood. Their generous response in giving led to a greater blessing, which was God’s
continued presence among them as God spoke to Moses from off the mercy seat
that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubim (v. 89).
In today’s
day and age, God expects us to offer
ourselves (Romans 12:1) and what we have for the work of God’s kingdom. God is
not forcing us to do anything, but He expects us to offer our time, talents and
treasures to Him for the work of His Kingdom. If we do that cheerfully, God will bless us with His presence, speak to us directly (Num. 7:89) and guide us continually (Num. 9:15-23) as we move forward in our life
journey. God will accept our freewill offering today!
