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This chapter is a bit repetitive and long. OK, let’s just be honest – it’s boring. Each of the leaders from the 12 tribes brought a gift to the altar to present to the Lord. Verse 11-89 state basically the same gift from different leaders with the only exceptions being the day and their name. However, this chapter was not written for our entertainment.
For Israel, it was historical and sentimental. These repetitive passages would have been read aloud at a slow and steady pace. Each tribe would have been proud to hear their name called as they celebrated their moment of sacrifice to the Lord.
For me, the most fascinating discovery is the final verse of this chapter.
Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him.
Numbers 7:89 NASB
What??? Moses heard and then spoke to God? Well… yes.
Most scholars are confused by the placement of this verse. Furthermore, the structure and verbal tenses make it seem like it doesn’t belong in this chapter. Of course, we know that God DID speak with Moses on more than one occasion, so it certainly wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. I tend to land on the fact that this was simply a confirmation of God being pleased with the sacrifices that were offered. This is consistent with how God interacts with us today as well.
As we bring more and more of our lives before God in an act of sacrifice, we grow closer to Him as He converses with us in prayer and through His Word. As we grow in holiness, it brings God joy to see us become more like His Son.