Daily Devotion | Numbers 7 | 2026 April 20

Title: Daily Devotion | Numbers 7 | 2026 April 20

Scripture: Numbers 7 (ESV, reference only)

Date: 2026 April 20

Speaker: Rev. John Chen

Transcribed, translated & edited by: Joseph Wang (Yufan)

Alright, dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you. We thank God for His grace that we come to a new day, and we study the daily devotion. Today the passage we are studying is Numbers chapter 7. Let us pray. Lord, we thank You that You love us in such a way. You call us by name, so that we can better come to serve You. Your altar, Lord, we ask that You grant us grace, strength, and wisdom. In this early morning, still help us that we can better know You. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Alright, now let us look at Numbers chapter 7. Then chapter 7, some scholars have proposed that chapter 7—this event itself actually took place before chapters 1 to 6. It shows the support of each tribe toward the Levites. This is their observation. Why? Because here it says that when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and made it holy, and also anointed all its utensils, and the altar and all the utensils of the altar, and made them holy.

This event happened in Leviticus chapter 9. In Leviticus chapter 9, it is the anointing of the altar to make the altar holy, and then on that very day—on that same day—the leaders of Israel came to offer sacrifices, they came to bring offerings. So this happened before. This observation is very good. This tells us that the Book of Numbers is actually not necessarily recorded according to chronological order.

Because here there is before and after, but actually both have meaning. One is that the sequence of events itself has its theological interpretation. Another is why he puts what happens later in front—this also has theological interpretation. So it achieves a kind of double effect: it both tells us the real sequence, and also tells us why he records it in this position.

Then first, this offering—the offerings of each tribe of Israel toward God—show that God actually cares about every tribe. This we can especially get a special understanding from the passage we read today. We will talk about it in detail later. Now let us first look: each tribe comes to offer, the leaders come, and they bring their offerings before the Lord. Let us see what these offerings are.

There are six carts and twelve oxen. Then what are the carts and oxen for? For every two leaders there is one cart. Two carts and four oxen are given to the sons of Gershon. Why give them to the sons of Gershon? What do they do? In Numbers chapter 4, verses 21 to 28, they are responsible for carrying the soft things. Remember, they carry inside the coverings, the cloth, the curtains.

Then when it comes to the sons of Merari, why do they receive four carts and eight oxen? Why? Because the sons of Merari are responsible for those hard things—solid things—boards, bars, bases, those bronze sockets, those heavier items. So here, two carts and four oxen are given to those who carry the fabrics, and four carts and eight oxen are given to those who carry things like the framework.

And then there is a special instruction: the sons of Kohath must not have carts or oxen. Why? Because the sons of Kohath carry on their shoulders. So here we must see God’s compassion toward the Israelites. He only requires the sons of Kohath to carry on their shoulders. The other two groups, those who carry the outer things, they can use carts and oxen to pull these utensils.

What is the purpose? The purpose is to make them a little easier, to lighten their burden. But earlier we have already said, actually with so many people, if you really have so many people serving together, it should not be too hard, it should not be too heavy. But here we see clearly that God’s intention is to love the Israelites, to care for His people. So He gives them carts and oxen to help them handle this work.

Then next is the offering itself. Let us look. Let us first look at one tribe. The order, everyone can see clearly, is four camps. The camp of Judah, then every three tribes form a camp: the camp of Judah, then the camp of Reuben, then the camp of Ephraim, and then the camp of Dan. It is according to the order of the camps to offer.

Which camp comes first, which comes later—it is according to this order. That is, according to the order of going to battle, not according to the age order of Israel, not according to that order. It is according to the order of battle.

Now let us look at the main gifts they offer. First is a silver plate, and a silver bowl. Then both are according to the sanctuary standard. This silver plate is 130 shekels. Converted into today’s weight, it is about one and a half kilograms, about three jin. This plate is a very large plate, three jin of silver.

Then one silver bowl. One silver bowl is seventy shekels. Seventy shekels is about eight hundred grams. According to the sanctuary shekel, these two are both used to hold fine flour mixed with oil for grain offerings. So inside they are used to hold things—for example, flour, oil, these things.

Then the gold dish is for incense. Then these are some utensils, things used in the sanctuary—bowls, plates, things used to hold items. Then they also offer sacrifices: one bull, one ram, one male lamb for the burnt offering; one male goat for the sin offering; and then the peace offering—two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs.

So each tribe, besides offering through the priests—aren’t the priests offering every day?—then each tribe also needs to offer on its own. First there is the burnt offering or the sin offering, and then there is the peace offering. We find that the peace offering is especially many. The sin offering seems relatively fewer, and the burnt offering is also more.

This shows that Israel especially hopes and asks that God will bring peace into their tribes.

Then the following passage makes people a bit confused. Why? Because whether from the narrative perspective or from the understanding perspective, it seems like it does not need to be written like this. So Numbers chapter 7 is a chapter that makes people very surprised.

You try to find whether each tribe’s offering is different—no, they are all exactly the same. Then clearly there is a question: since they are all the same, why record it in such detail? I think this is a question that you will especially think about after reading this passage.

Why record it so detailed? You could completely summarize it in one sentence, right? The Bible is very concise. You could completely write, or you could even jump directly to verse 84, right? Say that each tribe offered the same things, and that would be enough.

Why write it in such detail? On the contrary, when we interpret the Bible, we must exactly see these places that seem to go against normal logic. In fact, here God wants to tell us some truths that we usually would not notice.

The Bible uses so much space to record this matter. What is the purpose? It is clearly not to tell us whether their offerings are different or the same. It is obviously not this purpose. Because if the purpose is this, it only needs to say they are the same, and that is enough.

Then why record them one by one? My understanding is like this. It is especially like what? It is especially like being written down over twelve days. For example, the first day someone comes—record it. The second day another comes—record it. It is a bit like what? It is a bit like at a wedding, on the table there is a book for recording gifts.

You write, Zhang San 500, Li Si 500, Wang Wu 500. It is especially like this kind of record. It is not like, if I really only want to know that everyone gives 500, then I just say, all guests give 500 each, and that is enough.

But a gift record book cannot be written like that. You must write Zhang San, Li Si, Wang Wu. So this record is especially like a record book, recording how much each person gives. Then if everyone gives the same, you can only write the same. But what is the purpose? The purpose is that not one is missing.

So here we see that this passage is like a record of offerings, directly placed into the Bible as it is. First it tells us how it was recorded—each day one offering, one record. Then also, I think here the spiritual meaning it wants to express is that in offering, each tribe must not be missing. I think this is one reason why Numbers chapter 7 is written in such detail.

Israel as a nation is very unique. It keeps twelve tribes, always twelve tribes. But actually, if you read later in the Books of Kings, you will clearly know that in fact these twelve tribes, especially the ten tribes of the northern kingdom, have already disappeared in the long river of history. They are gone.

You know, when these kings rise up, what is the thing that kings dislike the most? It is tribes. Why? Because if you have tribes, then you are not easy to manage. This point, if you read a little bit of history, you will know that what a ruler wants is unity. So he cannot keep in his own country those organized groups that have power. He cannot keep them.

So he will use every possible way to eliminate organizations, eliminate the nobles. If you look at Chinese history, from the Spring and Autumn period, to the Warring States period, and then to the time of Qin Shi Huang, it is most obvious. Why did Qin Shi Huang implement the prefecture-county system? The prefecture-county system is to remove all the nobles. I do not need nobles. Everyone answers directly to the emperor alone. This is the characteristic of the prefecture-county system.

Later, although in the Han dynasty there was some restoration of the enfeoffment system, in the end the prefecture-county system became the mainstream in China. Why? Because this kind of system can maintain rule. It can maintain control. It means that no one can rebel. Because if there are tribes, then they have power. If they have power, then it is easy to rebel, easy to oppose the king. Then the king cannot do whatever he wants. He cannot act arbitrarily.

This is just a little bit of historical explanation. But God is different. God especially emphasizes every tribe of Israel. So Numbers chapter 7 is a very typical example. No matter whether you are strong, no matter whether your number is large or small, all twelve tribes all offer exactly the same gift.

What does this express? It expresses that God holds the balance evenly. God treats everyone the same. Then here there is one phrase: everything is according to the shekel of the sanctuary. What does this mean? It means these weights are not according to what you say. They must be according to the sanctuary, according to the most fair and just standard.

Because you know, in history, weights are a very deceitful thing. When buying, people want more. When selling, people want less. To make tricks on the scale—this is something we are very familiar with. But when you offer, you must use the scale of the sanctuary. Let the sanctuary’s scale measure these things. You cannot decide by yourself. It must be according to the sanctuary.

I think here we can extend a little bit: the scale in God’s sanctuary is the most fair. The twelve tribes, each tribe offers the same gift. No matter whether you are big or small, no matter whether you are strong or weak, in God’s eyes they are just twelve tribes. There is no distinction of high or low. There is no noble or base. I think this is what Numbers chapter 7 especially wants to tell us.

God wants to maintain the twelve tribes. Although in Israel’s history later, the northern kingdom was gone, and the southern kingdom was also in danger. These kings want to eliminate tribes, eliminate nobles, eliminate elders. But you see, when you come to Revelation, there are still twelve tribes.

So this gives us a reminder: the difference between man’s kings and God’s kingship. Man’s king wants to remove all these tribes, so that he alone says everything. This is also what Saul, as a king, did. But God does not like this. God wants twelve tribes. God wants the king to feel restraint, so that the king cannot do whatever he wants.

If the king of Israel is a king according to God’s heart, like King David, then your purpose is to obey God’s statutes and ordinances. You are not to do whatever you want. You are not to satisfy your own desires. This is certain. So God establishes twelve tribes in Israel. These twelve tribes must be complete, so that Israel as a nation can maintain and uphold God’s statutes and ordinances. This is from the perspective of kingship.

Then another aspect is what? God’s mercy and grace toward the twelve tribes are all the same. I think this gives us very great comfort. Because in the church, there are strong ones and weak ones. In the church, there are strong ones and weak ones. But in God’s eyes, all are His people. He cares for them the same. He preserves them the same. His mercy and His grace will not be less, especially toward those weaker tribes.

And you know, among the twelve tribes, some were born of maidservants. Then what does God do? God treats them the same. In God’s eyes, all are the same. There is no firstborn and maidservant distinction. There is no such difference. Even if Levi is large, even if Judah has many people, that is also God’s gift and grace. All is from God. So do not be proud. If you have more, do not be proud. Before God, all people are equal.

I think Numbers chapter 7—why is it so repetitive? You see, it uses more than seventy verses to record this, the eleventh day, the twelfth day, one by one. And this order is not who is richest, who is greatest. It is according to the order of marching for battle. The camp of Judah comes first to offer, then the camp of Reuben follows, then the camp of Ephraim. It is according to the order of camps, according to the order of battle. It is also equality.

So you see, before God, it is completely fair, completely righteous, completely equal. Every person, in God’s eyes, is regarded as precious.

Why record it like this? It is like that memorial book. At a wedding, there is a book recording who came. The first day, Judah came. The second day, Issachar came. The third day, Zebulun came. Each one comes, and I write it down. It is like an old father reading a list.

You see, today my eldest son gave me 200. Tomorrow my second son gave 230. Another son gave 240. Another son gave 200. You feel this is very troublesome. You say, why doesn’t he just say one sentence? Twelve sons, each gives 200, isn’t that enough?

Why must he read them one by one? Because every time he reads one, it is full of the father’s love for his son. I receive your offering. I accept your gift. And you must understand, accepting the offering is not that Israel gives something to God, because everything is God’s.

On the contrary, reading the names is telling Israel how much God loves them. The first day, my eldest son came and gave me 200. The second son also came and gave 200. This kind of joy—brothers and sisters, you understand? This is joy.

So Numbers chapter 7 is God, with joy, receiving the twelve tribes. I love you. It is not that you give to Me. It is that I give My love to you. You see, I accept your offerings. I record each one clearly. Each one I remember clearly.

This is a love letter from God. It is an expression of God’s love toward Israel. The reason it uses such a detailed way—even the most foolish writer would not write like this—is because it is expressing God’s deep attachment. Every person, every tribe, is in My heart. Each offering, I remember clearly.

Who offered what, who offered this, who offered that—it is like an elderly father loving his children. I think at this point, when you read every verse, every sentence, it truly shows God’s deep love for Israel.

On the other hand, when Israel later turns away from God, when they forsake God, they completely forget what they did in Numbers chapter 7—how they offered sacrifices to the Lord, how they brought offerings. They forget all of this. They set up their own kings. They resist God. They despise God. They worship idols. This is how empty it is.

So from this teaching in Numbers chapter 7, which seems very complicated and even boring, what we read is God’s deep love for Israel. At the same time, for each one of us, it is also like this.

How do I see God’s love for me? Jesus Christ has already done this for us. So for us, we are deeply immersed in this love, so that we can respond with love. We are willing to follow God. We are willing to imitate God.

Finally, when it comes to verse 84, it is a summary. How many plates, how many gold dishes, how many offerings in total. It is a very joyful expression. God is happy. Offering shows what? It shows that you are willing to value God, willing to listen to God’s word. Then God is happy.

Then verse 89: when Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim. So after all the offerings were completed, after the altar was consecrated, God truly spoke from between the cherubim. So this shows the importance of the tabernacle.

Where is the importance of the tabernacle? It is where one can meet with God. When God calls Moses into the tabernacle, Moses can truly hear God speaking to him. And God truly instructs Moses there—do this, do that. Everything is according to My will.

So the tabernacle becomes the place where God meets man. It becomes the most holy place for Israel. From there they receive God’s statutes and ordinances. They receive how to serve God, so that they can live out a life that glorifies Him.

At the same time, we also see that in the whole Pentateuch, these commandments, statutes, and ordinances take up a very large portion. The reason is that God places great importance on this matter.

So in our lives, what should we do? We should obey God’s statutes and ordinances. And for the outward material supply, we completely entrust it to God. God will surely take full responsibility for us. So what is the focus? The focus is God’s statutes and ordinances.

Alright, today’s sharing simply comes to here. Thank you, everyone.