March 1st, Numbers 7: Offerings for the Tabernacle

Numbers 7 recounts the offerings for the tabernacle. The leaders of Israel, the heads of families of the tribal leaders, brought six covered carts and twelve oxen, i.e. one cart for every two and an oxen from each leader.

Moses accepted their gifts at the Lord’s behest. Moses gave the Gershonites two carts and four oxen, and to the Merarites he gave four carts and eight oxen. But he did not give any to the Kohathites, who were to carry holy things on their shoulders.

When the altar was anointed, a different tribe leader brought his offering over twelve days.

They all made the same offering:

• One silver plate weighing 130 shekels.
• One silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both silver offerings filled with fine four mixed with oil as a grain offering.
• One gold dish weighing 10 shekels, filled with incense.
• One young bull, ram, and a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering.
• One male goat for a sin offering.
• Two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five year-old male lambs for a fellowship offering.

February 28th, Numbers 4-6: Numbering the Levites and unfaithfulness

Numbers 4 describes numbering the Levites, who totaled 8,580 at this point.

Numbers 5 instructs the Israelites to send lepers away from the camp, lest leprosy break out among them. It also describes the ritual for testing the unfaithfulness of a woman. It involves drinking bitter water, which brings a curse on the cheaters. The husband can initiate this if he suspects his wife of having an affair even if he does not have evidence, oddly enough.

Numbers 6 describes the Nazirite, a man or woman who makes a special vow of separation to the LORD. The Nazirite must abstain from wine, grapes, raisins, basically anything that comes from the grapevine. During the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor may touch his hair. He must not go near any dead body, even if his mother or father or sister dies.

The LORD tells Moses how Aaron and his sons are to bless the Israelites. This is known as the priestly blessing.

Numbers 6:24-26 says,
‘“The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”