Offerings for the Tabernacle

This chapter tells us about the Israelite tribes working together to support the work of the Levites, who were in charge of the tabernacle. To begin with, after the tabernacle is finished, Moses anointed and consecrated the tabernacle and all the furnishings and the alter and utensils. The Levites had been divided into groups and given specific duties to be in charge of in setting up and taking down the tabernacle. When the tribal leaders brought their offering of six carts and twelve oxen Moses was instructed to give them to the Levites as their work required. The carts and oxen were for the purpose of transporting the tabernacle through the wilderness. Two carts and four oxen were given to the Gershon family; they were to transport the fabrics of the tabernacle. Four carts and eight oxen were given to the Merari family; they were to transport the boards and pillars of the tabernacle. The family of Kohath did not receive carts or oxen because they were to carry all the holy things on their shoulders.

Then we read about the gifts brought to be dedicated to the tabernacle. Each tribe brought their gifts, one on each day for twelve days. Each tribal leader brought exactly the same offering over the twelve days. These were very generous gifts. I won’t go through the list but I read in one commentary that God was trying to show them how to be generous givers. They had been in slavery for so long they had the mind-set to be a taker because of the uncertainty of provision. God wanted them to learn that He provides all their needs. Also, by each bringing the same gift protects them from glorifying themselves through giving.

There have been times in my life that because the money got tight or the future seemed uncertain I wanted to clinch to everything in my possession. But who does everything belong to anyway? I own nothing. My God owns it all.