NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 7

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Numbers - Ch. 1-10 by pastor Chuck Smith

NUMBERS 7: “The TWELVE DAYS of SACRIFICE” – by James Fire, video teaching on youtube.

INTRODUCTION: It’s been said, “GOD must really love poor people – because He made a LOT of them”! Scripture states that not many mighty are called, not many wise, not many noble (wealthy that is) are called (1 COR 1:26). The LORD Jesus said, “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven” (MATT 19:24). Yet He also said that what seems impossible to us, is possible with GOD, for those who have faith in His ability to save (MATT 19:26)!

Selina Hastings, a noblewoman, Countess of Huntingdon, England, who in the 18th century helped in establishing the Methodist movement which brought about religious freedom and revival once said she was saved by an “m” – because the Scripture doesn’t say “not any” but “not many noble are called”.

In this chapter (89 verses worth – and this might be my shortest teaching yet, believe it or not!) we read about the leaders of Israel, these “princes” who are governors, or sheiks, or rulers, who no doubt have a substantially high standing upon the people and are wealthy – they too are allowed worship of YHWH; their offerings are welcome, their sacrifices acceptable.

But in GOD’s kingdom, rich or poor, slave or free, young or old, male or female – all are welcome, and all have equal access to our Abba Father, through the LORD Jesus Christ.

NUMBERS 7:1-6
1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them. 2 Then the leaders [princes] of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering. 3 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. 4 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 5 "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. 6 So Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.

Twelve princes, each providing one ox, so two oxen in each cart, thus six carts, carrying these offerings given over to the Levites, in the service of the Levites in the dedication of the Tabernacle (vs. 10).

NUMBERS 7:7-11
7 Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service; 8 and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders. 10 Now the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. 11 For the LORD said to Moses, "They shall offer their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.

Four of the twelve oxen were given to the sons of Gershon to sacrifice, and the remaining eight of the twelve were given to Merari to sacrifice.

The sons of Kohath were given the most sacred objects to carry, including the ark, which they bore upon their shoulders, never drawn by carts as the lesser objects were allowed to be carried. So these sacrifices pertained to everything carried by cart. The Kohathites were commissioned to carry these but could never see them or they would die. The sons of Aaron had to wrap them up first in curtains and badger skins first, and once concealed, they were ready for transport.

NUMBERS 7:12-17
12 And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah. 13 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 14 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 15 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 16 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Day One: Nahshon, the son of Amminadab of Judah brings his offerings that includes: one silver platter, a silver bowl, both full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; also a gold pan with incense. One young bull, one ram, one male lamb for the burnt offering. One kid of the goats for his sin offering and two oxen, give rams, five male goats and five male labs for the peace offering.

The four offerings once again appear here: the grain offering – an expression of thanksgiving for the LORD’s blessing the field’s crops; the burnt offering expressing devotion and dedication to the LORD, sin offering for the covering over of sins committed and the peace offering which expresses fellowship and love for the LORD.

NUMBERS 7:18-23
18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, presented an offering. 19 For his offering he offered one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 20 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 21 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 22 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 23 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

Day Two: You will note that the offerings of Nethanel, the son of Zuar, the prince of Issachar is exactly the same as those of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab. In fact all twelve princes, including these two as well as the other ten princes: Eliab (vs. 24), Elizur (vs. 30), Shelumiel (vs. 36), Eliasaph (vs. 42), Elishamah (vs. 48), Gamaliel (vs. 54), Abidan (vs.60), Ahiezer (vs. 66), Pagiel (vs. 72), and Ahira (vs. 78) are offering the exact same sacrifices: the same numbers of bulls, rams, lambs, goats and the same silver platters and bowls of silver, the same pans of gold (all of the same exact weight), the same amount of grain and incense. So from the third day to the twelfth day, each prince has his opportunity to worship the LORD, and each bring the required offerings to do so.

What does this tell us? That worship, when done according to the will of GOD, is valued of the LORD, it’s a sweet aroma to Him – and that no one’s worship is prized above another’s. Poor man, rich man, famous women, or ordinary young person – if you worship the LORD as He desires, He is blessed equally by your worship just as He is with everyone else’s.
Also that we are all required to bring to the LORD all that He desires in our service of worship: none are expected to bring more – or less than anyone else.

NUMBERS 7:24-29
24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the children of Zebulun, presented an offering. 25 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 26 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 27 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 28 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

NUMBERS 7:30-35
30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the children of Reuben, presented an offering. 31 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 32 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 33 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 34 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 35 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

NUMBERS 7:36-41
36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, leader of the children of Simeon, presented an offering. 37 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 38 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 39 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 40 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 41 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

NUMBERS 7:42-47
42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, leader of the children of Gad, presented an offering. 43 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 44 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 45 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 46 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 47 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

NUMBERS 7:48-53
48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the children of Ephraim, presented an offering. 49 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 50 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 51 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 52 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 53 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

NUMBERS 7:54-59
54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the children of Manasseh, presented an offering. 55 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 56 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 57 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 58 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 59 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

NUMBERS 7:60-65
60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the children of Benjamin, presented an offering. 61 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 62 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 63 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 64 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 65 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

NUMBERS 7:66-71
66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, leader of the children of Dan, presented an offering. 67 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 68 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 69 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 70 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 71 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

NUMBERS 7:72-77
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, leader of the children of Asher, presented an offering. 73 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 74 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 75 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 76 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 77 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.

NUMBERS 7:78-83
78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, leader of the children of Naphtali, presented an offering. 79 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 80 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 81 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 82 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 83 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

Note that silver is offered: silver being the biblical representation for atonement, for redemption from trespasses (LEV 5:15). We also see gold is offered, which represents Deity, and also Royalty. In both, as well as the animals whose blood was shed, are all types of the Messiah King Y’shua – Jesus as we call Him, Who is GOD made flesh (the gold), and shed His blood for us, for the redemption from sin (the silver). He is the ultimate sacrifice, no ordinary lamb, but the LAMB of GOD!

Note that there is no bronze or iron here – these metals are symbols of judgment; these are baser metals which are not costly like silver and gold.

So our worship before GOD is sweetest when its most costly.
In 2 SAMUEL 24, David repented of his pride in numbering Israel which GOD forbid the kings of Israel to do; the LORD required atonement for David’s sin and he was led of the LORD to approach a man, Araunah to purchase a piece of his land, and oxen who were on it. Araunah was so honored by the king’s request, that he was willing to give everything to him for free, but David replied:

"No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing." (vs. 24)

When is your worship of the highest cost?

It’s when your body is wracked with pain and the doctors are telling you that you’re terminal. It’s when your marriage is falling apart and you don’t know what to do, feeling helpless. It’s when it’s so easy to give in to temptation because no one from church is around and what you’re thinking of doing is under cover of darkness. When you’ve lost your job and your refrigerator is going bare.

Despite these situations, despite the pain – you will glorify GOD with your last breath if need be! Though it seems hopeless to save your marriage, you will praise GOD for His salvation, for His goodness and holiness! When you say, No! to temptation and surrender yourself to the LORD as a vessel unto righteousness! When you have no resources to provide for yourself, and yet you glorify GOD, confident that just as He feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, our Good Shepherd is THE GOOD Shepherd, the very best and He will provide!

NUMBERS 7:84-86
84 This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders [princes] of Israel, when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold pans. 85 Each silver platter weighed one hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy shekels. All the silver of the vessels weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 86 The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed one hundred and twenty shekels.
These were godly princes who worshiped GOD and gave the costliest of sacrifice. These were men who recognized that their position of authority came from GOD and to GOD they will give an account for how they used their position. They had a fear of the LORD – very unlike today’s leaders.

PROVERBS 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

When was the last godly President that held office here in America? When was it that this once godly nation fell from fearing the LORD? And I’m not just talking about the American government – a nation is more than just its government. I’m talking about all of America: its government, its civil and educational institutions, its halls of justice, and “we the people”. “America, America, GOD shed His grace on thee…”

Where in all the world can we find a righteous ruler who serves GOD and who is a true servant of the people?

Everywhere we look, we see corruption, a lust for power and more power still. Henry Kissinger, a 98 year old NWO globalist himself stated that “power is the ultimate aphrodisiac [the ultimate high]”. How are you enjoying your power Mr. Kissinger? What will all of that power do for you in just a small march of years from now?

What was once referred to back in the ‘70’s as ‘the Power Elite’ are today’s globalist and ungodly world leaders and they genuinely believe that they are a different race than us commoners. They believe they are a far more highly advanced form of the human species, and that we are barely classified as human.

This is how they justify their tampering with our lives, why they feel free to topple national economies to suit their purposes; to unleash such power to create chaos, mayhem, tragedy and suffering that effects our economy, our land, our health, our way of life – for the purpose of tearing down the old order – the Judeo-Christian ethic, itself based on the Bible, that was the foundation of Western Society, in order to build their new order, whose foundation is Luciferianism.

This is how we can see the reign of antichrist will come into being. And yet as we despair of America’s last gleam of freedom’s light, and the toppling of the order that pleased GOD to establish, our hopes are built upon the Rock, the LORD Jesus Christ!

PSALM 2:1-9
1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." 7 "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.

And we shall be granted a rod of iron as well (REV 2:26-27), we who are overcomers by faith in Christ, we who are the meek that shall inherit the Earth, we “shall rule all nations” – we, who unlike the rulers of this world who are Luciferian in their nature, have the nature of Jesus, the Servant King, shall be accounted worthy to rule beside Him!

NUMBERS 7:87-89
87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve young bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs in their first year twelve, with their grain offering, and the kids of the goats as a sin offering twelve. 88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings were twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, and the lambs in their first year sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed. 89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.

So we end this chapter with Moses hearing the voice of GOD and witnessing His glorious Light – not from a burning bush, and not from a mountain top ablaze with holy fire, but in the GOD ordained house of meeting, this tabernacle, where the ark of the covenant is awash in holy Light, and from there, he hears the voice of GOD and communes with Him.

Likewise, we know that our LORD presented His blood at the original ark of the covenant before the Father as He sits on His throne in heaven