Numbers 9

Numbers 9:1

Offerings After the Days of Separation

When the Nazirite has completed the time of his separation, he goes to the doorway of the tent of meeting to bring his offering there. The reason why he makes his offering there is that the whole people have to do with his dedication: the whole people benefit from it. We see this in the blessing at the end of this chapter.

Everything in the offering speaks of the Lord Jesus. With this he expresses the awareness that he has not been and remained dedicated in his own power. The Lord Jesus, the perfect Nazirite, gave him the strength to do so.

The offering he brings now is many times greater than in the previous part. There it is brought as a necessary offering because of his defilement. Here he brings an offering after his time as a Nazirite has ended. In his dedication he has seen more and more of the Lord Jesus. These offerings are the result of this. He brings 1. a burnt offering – that is the first thing here; with the birds the sin offering is the first thing (Numbers 6:10-11); 2. a sin offering – he knows that he is a sinner in himself and 3. a peace offering – the offering that expresses the fellowship of God’s people with God, with Christ and with one another.

He also brings several grain offerings and the accompanying drink offerings. They also speak of the Lord Jesus. The grain offering represents His life on earth, in which He is perfectly guided by the Spirit (of which the oil is a picture) and all the works of the Spirit have become visible in Him. The drink offering speaks of the joy that He has been to God in His life on earth. God has found in Him a perfect pleasure.

Numbers 9:2

Offerings After the Days of Separation

When the Nazirite has completed the time of his separation, he goes to the doorway of the tent of meeting to bring his offering there. The reason why he makes his offering there is that the whole people have to do with his dedication: the whole people benefit from it. We see this in the blessing at the end of this chapter.

Everything in the offering speaks of the Lord Jesus. With this he expresses the awareness that he has not been and remained dedicated in his own power. The Lord Jesus, the perfect Nazirite, gave him the strength to do so.

The offering he brings now is many times greater than in the previous part. There it is brought as a necessary offering because of his defilement. Here he brings an offering after his time as a Nazirite has ended. In his dedication he has seen more and more of the Lord Jesus. These offerings are the result of this. He brings 1. a burnt offering – that is the first thing here; with the birds the sin offering is the first thing (Numbers 6:10-11); 2. a sin offering – he knows that he is a sinner in himself and 3. a peace offering – the offering that expresses the fellowship of God’s people with God, with Christ and with one another.

He also brings several grain offerings and the accompanying drink offerings. They also speak of the Lord Jesus. The grain offering represents His life on earth, in which He is perfectly guided by the Spirit (of which the oil is a picture) and all the works of the Spirit have become visible in Him. The drink offering speaks of the joy that He has been to God in His life on earth. God has found in Him a perfect pleasure.

Numbers 9:3

The Priest Brings the Offering

The Nazirite offers this extensive offering. The priest prepares everything before the LORD. In the church, the Nazirite and the priests are the same person. Dedicated believers, Nazirites, see much of the Lord Jesus and these same believers will offer what they see of the Lord Jesus as priests to God. In bringing the offerings the sin offering takes first place. If we are allowed to continue with anything of our service, the realization that this may happen because of the work of the Lord Jesus as the sin offering will still take first place.

Of our dedication we will say that it is all accomplished by His grace. His offering has given us the strength. The offering we will bring speaks of it. When we come to Him, after our service on earth, we will see Him as the Lamb. We will honor Him because He has enabled us to do everything that has been to the glory of God. We will honor Him as the perfect burnt offering and grain offering and peace offering. We will also honor Him for what He was as the sin offering, He Who bore our sins.

Numbers 9:4

The Priest Brings the Offering

The Nazirite offers this extensive offering. The priest prepares everything before the LORD. In the church, the Nazirite and the priests are the same person. Dedicated believers, Nazirites, see much of the Lord Jesus and these same believers will offer what they see of the Lord Jesus as priests to God. In bringing the offerings the sin offering takes first place. If we are allowed to continue with anything of our service, the realization that this may happen because of the work of the Lord Jesus as the sin offering will still take first place.

Of our dedication we will say that it is all accomplished by His grace. His offering has given us the strength. The offering we will bring speaks of it. When we come to Him, after our service on earth, we will see Him as the Lamb. We will honor Him because He has enabled us to do everything that has been to the glory of God. We will honor Him as the perfect burnt offering and grain offering and peace offering. We will also honor Him for what He was as the sin offering, He Who bore our sins.

Numbers 9:5

The Hair Is Sacrificed

After the priest has prepared everything to offer what the Nazirite has brought as an offering, the Nazirite shaves his hair off and puts it on the fire, under the sacrifice of peace offering. Because of this, together with the smell of the sacrifice of the peace offering, the smell of his hair rises to God. We see in this a beautiful picture that God is reminded forever of the dedication of every believer and that in direct connection with what His Son is as peace offering. Through the peace offering, fellowship has become possible between God and His people and between the members of God’s people. A special aspect in that fellowship is the role that dedicated believers have in it.

The hair is placed on the fire under the sacrifice of peace sacrifice. Nowhere do we read that anything of a human being is connected with a sacrifice, except with this hair of the Nazirite. That proves the enormous value God attaches to what is done in dedication to Him. It is as it says in a song: “Everything done out of love for Jesus keeps its value and will continue to exist.”

Numbers 9:6

The Offering Put on the Hands of the Nazirite

After shaving his hair, parts of the offering are put on the hands of the Nazirite. This shows that it was only through the power of the Lord Jesus – depicted in the shoulder of the ram – and the perfect example of His dedication that the Nazirite was able to bring the time of his separation to a successful ending.

There is also a part for the priest: the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. The consciousness of love, of which the breast speaks, and the power, of which the thigh speaks, of the Lord Jesus in accomplishing a time of dedication is spiritual food for the priest. It also gives him the love and strength to perform his priestly service.

After making the sacrifices the Nazirite may drink wine again. When our service on earth is over, true joy will be enjoyed by us. The Lord Jesus says to His faithful servants: “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21; 23).

Numbers 9:7

The Offering Put on the Hands of the Nazirite

After shaving his hair, parts of the offering are put on the hands of the Nazirite. This shows that it was only through the power of the Lord Jesus – depicted in the shoulder of the ram – and the perfect example of His dedication that the Nazirite was able to bring the time of his separation to a successful ending.

There is also a part for the priest: the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. The consciousness of love, of which the breast speaks, and the power, of which the thigh speaks, of the Lord Jesus in accomplishing a time of dedication is spiritual food for the priest. It also gives him the love and strength to perform his priestly service.

After making the sacrifices the Nazirite may drink wine again. When our service on earth is over, true joy will be enjoyed by us. The Lord Jesus says to His faithful servants: “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21; 23).

Numbers 9:8

The Offering Put on the Hands of the Nazirite

After shaving his hair, parts of the offering are put on the hands of the Nazirite. This shows that it was only through the power of the Lord Jesus – depicted in the shoulder of the ram – and the perfect example of His dedication that the Nazirite was able to bring the time of his separation to a successful ending.

There is also a part for the priest: the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. The consciousness of love, of which the breast speaks, and the power, of which the thigh speaks, of the Lord Jesus in accomplishing a time of dedication is spiritual food for the priest. It also gives him the love and strength to perform his priestly service.

After making the sacrifices the Nazirite may drink wine again. When our service on earth is over, true joy will be enjoyed by us. The Lord Jesus says to His faithful servants: “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21; 23).

Numbers 9:9

The Israelites blessed

In the preceding chapters and the preceding section of this chapter, we see how God has 1. placed the people around Himself; 2. numbered the people name by name; 3. organized the service; 4. cleansed the camp; 5. determined the true position of the dedicated servant.

Everything is now ready to bless the people and put His Name on them. The blessing places the people under the protection, the grace and peace of the LORD.

There are three pairs of blessings and one final blessing, seven blessings in total. We can connect the three pairs with the three Divine Persons (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14): 1. The blessing and protection of the Father. 2. The grace of the Lord Jesus. 3. The inner peace through the Spirit. We receive everything that characterizes God. With a people so blessed, God wants to connect Himself. For such a people He “is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16).

1. “The LORD bless you,”: God’s blessing is wished for all spheres of our life; fertility and multiplication (Genesis 1:22; 28), above all in the spiritual life. 2. “And keep you;”: Protection against dangers and decline in order to receive the good. 3. “The LORD make His face shine on you,”: We need the light of His countenance and presence (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 90:8). 4. “And be gracious to you;”: Expressions of favor, mercy, goodness. 5. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you,”: By making us feel affection, that we are a pleasure for Him. 6. “And give you peace.”: Shalom: not only absence of war, but prosperity, justice and well-being. 7. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them.”: God connects His Name with His people and blesses them as a whole.

The whole people are blessed on the basis of what the Nazirite has done. On the basis of what the Lord Jesus did as the true Nazirite, this blessing will also come to all creation. The church is also involved in the distribution of this blessing (Romans 8:19), which we can see in “Aaron and his sons” to whom the order to bless is given.

Numbers 9:10

The Israelites blessed

In the preceding chapters and the preceding section of this chapter, we see how God has 1. placed the people around Himself; 2. numbered the people name by name; 3. organized the service; 4. cleansed the camp; 5. determined the true position of the dedicated servant.

Everything is now ready to bless the people and put His Name on them. The blessing places the people under the protection, the grace and peace of the LORD.

There are three pairs of blessings and one final blessing, seven blessings in total. We can connect the three pairs with the three Divine Persons (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14): 1. The blessing and protection of the Father. 2. The grace of the Lord Jesus. 3. The inner peace through the Spirit. We receive everything that characterizes God. With a people so blessed, God wants to connect Himself. For such a people He “is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16).

1. “The LORD bless you,”: God’s blessing is wished for all spheres of our life; fertility and multiplication (Genesis 1:22; 28), above all in the spiritual life. 2. “And keep you;”: Protection against dangers and decline in order to receive the good. 3. “The LORD make His face shine on you,”: We need the light of His countenance and presence (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 90:8). 4. “And be gracious to you;”: Expressions of favor, mercy, goodness. 5. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you,”: By making us feel affection, that we are a pleasure for Him. 6. “And give you peace.”: Shalom: not only absence of war, but prosperity, justice and well-being. 7. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them.”: God connects His Name with His people and blesses them as a whole.

The whole people are blessed on the basis of what the Nazirite has done. On the basis of what the Lord Jesus did as the true Nazirite, this blessing will also come to all creation. The church is also involved in the distribution of this blessing (Romans 8:19), which we can see in “Aaron and his sons” to whom the order to bless is given.

Numbers 9:11

The Israelites blessed

In the preceding chapters and the preceding section of this chapter, we see how God has 1. placed the people around Himself; 2. numbered the people name by name; 3. organized the service; 4. cleansed the camp; 5. determined the true position of the dedicated servant.

Everything is now ready to bless the people and put His Name on them. The blessing places the people under the protection, the grace and peace of the LORD.

There are three pairs of blessings and one final blessing, seven blessings in total. We can connect the three pairs with the three Divine Persons (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14): 1. The blessing and protection of the Father. 2. The grace of the Lord Jesus. 3. The inner peace through the Spirit. We receive everything that characterizes God. With a people so blessed, God wants to connect Himself. For such a people He “is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16).

1. “The LORD bless you,”: God’s blessing is wished for all spheres of our life; fertility and multiplication (Genesis 1:22; 28), above all in the spiritual life. 2. “And keep you;”: Protection against dangers and decline in order to receive the good. 3. “The LORD make His face shine on you,”: We need the light of His countenance and presence (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 90:8). 4. “And be gracious to you;”: Expressions of favor, mercy, goodness. 5. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you,”: By making us feel affection, that we are a pleasure for Him. 6. “And give you peace.”: Shalom: not only absence of war, but prosperity, justice and well-being. 7. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them.”: God connects His Name with His people and blesses them as a whole.

The whole people are blessed on the basis of what the Nazirite has done. On the basis of what the Lord Jesus did as the true Nazirite, this blessing will also come to all creation. The church is also involved in the distribution of this blessing (Romans 8:19), which we can see in “Aaron and his sons” to whom the order to bless is given.

Numbers 9:12

The Israelites blessed

In the preceding chapters and the preceding section of this chapter, we see how God has 1. placed the people around Himself; 2. numbered the people name by name; 3. organized the service; 4. cleansed the camp; 5. determined the true position of the dedicated servant.

Everything is now ready to bless the people and put His Name on them. The blessing places the people under the protection, the grace and peace of the LORD.

There are three pairs of blessings and one final blessing, seven blessings in total. We can connect the three pairs with the three Divine Persons (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14): 1. The blessing and protection of the Father. 2. The grace of the Lord Jesus. 3. The inner peace through the Spirit. We receive everything that characterizes God. With a people so blessed, God wants to connect Himself. For such a people He “is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16).

1. “The LORD bless you,”: God’s blessing is wished for all spheres of our life; fertility and multiplication (Genesis 1:22; 28), above all in the spiritual life. 2. “And keep you;”: Protection against dangers and decline in order to receive the good. 3. “The LORD make His face shine on you,”: We need the light of His countenance and presence (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 90:8). 4. “And be gracious to you;”: Expressions of favor, mercy, goodness. 5. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you,”: By making us feel affection, that we are a pleasure for Him. 6. “And give you peace.”: Shalom: not only absence of war, but prosperity, justice and well-being. 7. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them.”: God connects His Name with His people and blesses them as a whole.

The whole people are blessed on the basis of what the Nazirite has done. On the basis of what the Lord Jesus did as the true Nazirite, this blessing will also come to all creation. The church is also involved in the distribution of this blessing (Romans 8:19), which we can see in “Aaron and his sons” to whom the order to bless is given.

Numbers 9:13

The Israelites blessed

In the preceding chapters and the preceding section of this chapter, we see how God has 1. placed the people around Himself; 2. numbered the people name by name; 3. organized the service; 4. cleansed the camp; 5. determined the true position of the dedicated servant.

Everything is now ready to bless the people and put His Name on them. The blessing places the people under the protection, the grace and peace of the LORD.

There are three pairs of blessings and one final blessing, seven blessings in total. We can connect the three pairs with the three Divine Persons (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14): 1. The blessing and protection of the Father. 2. The grace of the Lord Jesus. 3. The inner peace through the Spirit. We receive everything that characterizes God. With a people so blessed, God wants to connect Himself. For such a people He “is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16).

1. “The LORD bless you,”: God’s blessing is wished for all spheres of our life; fertility and multiplication (Genesis 1:22; 28), above all in the spiritual life. 2. “And keep you;”: Protection against dangers and decline in order to receive the good. 3. “The LORD make His face shine on you,”: We need the light of His countenance and presence (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 90:8). 4. “And be gracious to you;”: Expressions of favor, mercy, goodness. 5. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you,”: By making us feel affection, that we are a pleasure for Him. 6. “And give you peace.”: Shalom: not only absence of war, but prosperity, justice and well-being. 7. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them.”: God connects His Name with His people and blesses them as a whole.

The whole people are blessed on the basis of what the Nazirite has done. On the basis of what the Lord Jesus did as the true Nazirite, this blessing will also come to all creation. The church is also involved in the distribution of this blessing (Romans 8:19), which we can see in “Aaron and his sons” to whom the order to bless is given.

Numbers 9:14

The Israelites blessed

In the preceding chapters and the preceding section of this chapter, we see how God has 1. placed the people around Himself; 2. numbered the people name by name; 3. organized the service; 4. cleansed the camp; 5. determined the true position of the dedicated servant.

Everything is now ready to bless the people and put His Name on them. The blessing places the people under the protection, the grace and peace of the LORD.

There are three pairs of blessings and one final blessing, seven blessings in total. We can connect the three pairs with the three Divine Persons (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14): 1. The blessing and protection of the Father. 2. The grace of the Lord Jesus. 3. The inner peace through the Spirit. We receive everything that characterizes God. With a people so blessed, God wants to connect Himself. For such a people He “is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16).

1. “The LORD bless you,”: God’s blessing is wished for all spheres of our life; fertility and multiplication (Genesis 1:22; 28), above all in the spiritual life. 2. “And keep you;”: Protection against dangers and decline in order to receive the good. 3. “The LORD make His face shine on you,”: We need the light of His countenance and presence (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 90:8). 4. “And be gracious to you;”: Expressions of favor, mercy, goodness. 5. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you,”: By making us feel affection, that we are a pleasure for Him. 6. “And give you peace.”: Shalom: not only absence of war, but prosperity, justice and well-being. 7. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them.”: God connects His Name with His people and blesses them as a whole.

The whole people are blessed on the basis of what the Nazirite has done. On the basis of what the Lord Jesus did as the true Nazirite, this blessing will also come to all creation. The church is also involved in the distribution of this blessing (Romans 8:19), which we can see in “Aaron and his sons” to whom the order to bless is given.

Numbers 9:16

Introduction

Numbers 6, at the dedication of the Nazirites, is about voluntariness, but also about rules on how such voluntariness should happen. In Numbers 7 we have no rules. Here everything happens voluntarily, out of the desire to give God something for the sanctuary and the dedication of the altar. Everything is out of love; it is the reaction of the heart of the people.

The Offering of the Leaders

Why do we go back in the first verse to the setting up of the tabernacle that already happened in Exodus 40, a month earlier? Because this is in keeping with the arrangement by the Holy Spirit of these books. What is mentioned here, is perfectly in keeping with the book of Numbers.

The overview below shows the sequence of events until the start of the wilderness journey:

First month, Day 1: Setting up the tabernacle finished (Exodus 40:2) Laws for the offerings (Numbers 7:1) Offerings for the altar (Numbers 7:3) Ordination of the priesthood (Leviticus 8:1)

First month, Day 8 Dedication of the priests finished (Leviticus 9:1)

First month, Day 12: Offerings for the altar finished (Numbers 7:78) Dedication of the Levites (Numbers 8:5)

First month, Day 14: Second Passover (Numbers 9:2)

Second month, Day 1: Start census (Numbers 1:1)

Second month, Day 14: Passover for the unclean (Numbers 9:11)

Second month, Day 20: The cloud is lifted, the journey starts (Numbers 10:11)

The leaders see the setting up of the tabernacle. This works a reaction with them. They realize that God is coming to dwell in their midst – God’s dwelling has the emphasis in Exodus – and that then service to Him can begin, now that the people have arrived in the wilderness. They come with their offering on the right day to encourage the service to Him in the wilderness. God accepts these gifts and determines what gifts are given to whom. The service that is done for Him is controlled by Him.

These offerings have to do with the service in the tabernacle, the testimony to the outside world. The leaders have understood that the Levites can use help when carrying the tabernacle through the wilderness. In the tabernacle, not only priestly service is performed, it is also carried through the wilderness. So it is with the church. We come together to serve God as priests, but it is also God’s purpose that we express in our testimony in the world all that we have received in blessings.

Leaders give covered carts. What we have to transport are not things we show off. In pairs, they bring one cart. This points to the search for fellowship in the service with the aim of encouraging God’s work in the church. The leaders represent those among the believers who are in charge.

Numbers 9:17

Introduction

Numbers 6, at the dedication of the Nazirites, is about voluntariness, but also about rules on how such voluntariness should happen. In Numbers 7 we have no rules. Here everything happens voluntarily, out of the desire to give God something for the sanctuary and the dedication of the altar. Everything is out of love; it is the reaction of the heart of the people.

The Offering of the Leaders

Why do we go back in the first verse to the setting up of the tabernacle that already happened in Exodus 40, a month earlier? Because this is in keeping with the arrangement by the Holy Spirit of these books. What is mentioned here, is perfectly in keeping with the book of Numbers.

The overview below shows the sequence of events until the start of the wilderness journey:

First month, Day 1: Setting up the tabernacle finished (Exodus 40:2) Laws for the offerings (Numbers 7:1) Offerings for the altar (Numbers 7:3) Ordination of the priesthood (Leviticus 8:1)

First month, Day 8 Dedication of the priests finished (Leviticus 9:1)

First month, Day 12: Offerings for the altar finished (Numbers 7:78) Dedication of the Levites (Numbers 8:5)

First month, Day 14: Second Passover (Numbers 9:2)

Second month, Day 1: Start census (Numbers 1:1)

Second month, Day 14: Passover for the unclean (Numbers 9:11)

Second month, Day 20: The cloud is lifted, the journey starts (Numbers 10:11)

The leaders see the setting up of the tabernacle. This works a reaction with them. They realize that God is coming to dwell in their midst – God’s dwelling has the emphasis in Exodus – and that then service to Him can begin, now that the people have arrived in the wilderness. They come with their offering on the right day to encourage the service to Him in the wilderness. God accepts these gifts and determines what gifts are given to whom. The service that is done for Him is controlled by Him.

These offerings have to do with the service in the tabernacle, the testimony to the outside world. The leaders have understood that the Levites can use help when carrying the tabernacle through the wilderness. In the tabernacle, not only priestly service is performed, it is also carried through the wilderness. So it is with the church. We come together to serve God as priests, but it is also God’s purpose that we express in our testimony in the world all that we have received in blessings.

Leaders give covered carts. What we have to transport are not things we show off. In pairs, they bring one cart. This points to the search for fellowship in the service with the aim of encouraging God’s work in the church. The leaders represent those among the believers who are in charge.

Numbers 9:18

Introduction

Numbers 6, at the dedication of the Nazirites, is about voluntariness, but also about rules on how such voluntariness should happen. In Numbers 7 we have no rules. Here everything happens voluntarily, out of the desire to give God something for the sanctuary and the dedication of the altar. Everything is out of love; it is the reaction of the heart of the people.

The Offering of the Leaders

Why do we go back in the first verse to the setting up of the tabernacle that already happened in Exodus 40, a month earlier? Because this is in keeping with the arrangement by the Holy Spirit of these books. What is mentioned here, is perfectly in keeping with the book of Numbers.

The overview below shows the sequence of events until the start of the wilderness journey:

First month, Day 1: Setting up the tabernacle finished (Exodus 40:2) Laws for the offerings (Numbers 7:1) Offerings for the altar (Numbers 7:3) Ordination of the priesthood (Leviticus 8:1)

First month, Day 8 Dedication of the priests finished (Leviticus 9:1)

First month, Day 12: Offerings for the altar finished (Numbers 7:78) Dedication of the Levites (Numbers 8:5)

First month, Day 14: Second Passover (Numbers 9:2)

Second month, Day 1: Start census (Numbers 1:1)

Second month, Day 14: Passover for the unclean (Numbers 9:11)

Second month, Day 20: The cloud is lifted, the journey starts (Numbers 10:11)

The leaders see the setting up of the tabernacle. This works a reaction with them. They realize that God is coming to dwell in their midst – God’s dwelling has the emphasis in Exodus – and that then service to Him can begin, now that the people have arrived in the wilderness. They come with their offering on the right day to encourage the service to Him in the wilderness. God accepts these gifts and determines what gifts are given to whom. The service that is done for Him is controlled by Him.

These offerings have to do with the service in the tabernacle, the testimony to the outside world. The leaders have understood that the Levites can use help when carrying the tabernacle through the wilderness. In the tabernacle, not only priestly service is performed, it is also carried through the wilderness. So it is with the church. We come together to serve God as priests, but it is also God’s purpose that we express in our testimony in the world all that we have received in blessings.

Leaders give covered carts. What we have to transport are not things we show off. In pairs, they bring one cart. This points to the search for fellowship in the service with the aim of encouraging God’s work in the church. The leaders represent those among the believers who are in charge.

Numbers 9:19

Distribution of the Carts and the Oxen

It seems that Moses doesn’t not know what to do with these gifts. It is not part of everything God has shown him about the tabernacle. But God makes it clear that Moses can accept them. They are the fruit of God-fearing souls, of men who have fellowship with God. What they bring is the result of spiritual considerations. God can accept that, because it was ultimately worked in them by Himself through His Spirit.

In the same way God wants to use in His service today means which He has not indicated as such in His Word, but which are the result of spiritual consultation with regards to the service in His house. The church is not a solidified matter, but a dynamic one, always in motion. God accepts initiatives that respond to the concerns of the moment when they come from a spirit of dependence on the Spirit and are in accordance with the Word.

God decides to whom the carts are made available. God does not proceed in the way of people who would divide everything fairly. God regulates everything in such a way that faith and love are tested in order to accept that He acts according to His will and wisdom. When we agree with His different actions, we take the place of blessing. The heart so attuned to God’s actions will rejoice in what he sees of Christ in another, while he himself does not possess it. We can rejoice in what He has given us, but also in what He has withheld from us and entrusted to others.

God entrusts each person with what is necessary for the service. He knows what each one has to bear and provides the necessary strength. We can apply this to means that facilitate the work of the Lord’s servants (Titus 3:13; 3 John 1:6b). In this way, if they come from another place, we can offer them accommodation, for example, to do their work in the church from our home. We can also support them financially.

The Gershonites get two carts and four oxen. They have the care for all the coverings. This speaks of the external testimony, the gospel.

The Merarites get four carts and eight oxen. They have the care for boards and pillars. This speaks of the care for the believers, the service of the shepherd. We can all help with the progress of the gospel and the care for the believers.

The Kohathites care for what speaks of the Lord Jesus and His work. God takes care of the help in its progress. Human resources, such as theological training, have no place here. The heavenly things should be carried on the shoulders. Without anything that might impress people, they carry their precious treasures through the wilderness.

Here David makes a fatal mistake. He forgets the precept of the LORD and places the ark on a cart. It appears not to be a safer means, but a more vulnerable means: the oxen nearly upset it. Uzzah has to pay for that with death (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Philistines also put the ark on a cart, but they act out of ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7-11).

Numbers 9:20

Distribution of the Carts and the Oxen

It seems that Moses doesn’t not know what to do with these gifts. It is not part of everything God has shown him about the tabernacle. But God makes it clear that Moses can accept them. They are the fruit of God-fearing souls, of men who have fellowship with God. What they bring is the result of spiritual considerations. God can accept that, because it was ultimately worked in them by Himself through His Spirit.

In the same way God wants to use in His service today means which He has not indicated as such in His Word, but which are the result of spiritual consultation with regards to the service in His house. The church is not a solidified matter, but a dynamic one, always in motion. God accepts initiatives that respond to the concerns of the moment when they come from a spirit of dependence on the Spirit and are in accordance with the Word.

God decides to whom the carts are made available. God does not proceed in the way of people who would divide everything fairly. God regulates everything in such a way that faith and love are tested in order to accept that He acts according to His will and wisdom. When we agree with His different actions, we take the place of blessing. The heart so attuned to God’s actions will rejoice in what he sees of Christ in another, while he himself does not possess it. We can rejoice in what He has given us, but also in what He has withheld from us and entrusted to others.

God entrusts each person with what is necessary for the service. He knows what each one has to bear and provides the necessary strength. We can apply this to means that facilitate the work of the Lord’s servants (Titus 3:13; 3 John 1:6b). In this way, if they come from another place, we can offer them accommodation, for example, to do their work in the church from our home. We can also support them financially.

The Gershonites get two carts and four oxen. They have the care for all the coverings. This speaks of the external testimony, the gospel.

The Merarites get four carts and eight oxen. They have the care for boards and pillars. This speaks of the care for the believers, the service of the shepherd. We can all help with the progress of the gospel and the care for the believers.

The Kohathites care for what speaks of the Lord Jesus and His work. God takes care of the help in its progress. Human resources, such as theological training, have no place here. The heavenly things should be carried on the shoulders. Without anything that might impress people, they carry their precious treasures through the wilderness.

Here David makes a fatal mistake. He forgets the precept of the LORD and places the ark on a cart. It appears not to be a safer means, but a more vulnerable means: the oxen nearly upset it. Uzzah has to pay for that with death (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Philistines also put the ark on a cart, but they act out of ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7-11).

Numbers 9:21

Distribution of the Carts and the Oxen

It seems that Moses doesn’t not know what to do with these gifts. It is not part of everything God has shown him about the tabernacle. But God makes it clear that Moses can accept them. They are the fruit of God-fearing souls, of men who have fellowship with God. What they bring is the result of spiritual considerations. God can accept that, because it was ultimately worked in them by Himself through His Spirit.

In the same way God wants to use in His service today means which He has not indicated as such in His Word, but which are the result of spiritual consultation with regards to the service in His house. The church is not a solidified matter, but a dynamic one, always in motion. God accepts initiatives that respond to the concerns of the moment when they come from a spirit of dependence on the Spirit and are in accordance with the Word.

God decides to whom the carts are made available. God does not proceed in the way of people who would divide everything fairly. God regulates everything in such a way that faith and love are tested in order to accept that He acts according to His will and wisdom. When we agree with His different actions, we take the place of blessing. The heart so attuned to God’s actions will rejoice in what he sees of Christ in another, while he himself does not possess it. We can rejoice in what He has given us, but also in what He has withheld from us and entrusted to others.

God entrusts each person with what is necessary for the service. He knows what each one has to bear and provides the necessary strength. We can apply this to means that facilitate the work of the Lord’s servants (Titus 3:13; 3 John 1:6b). In this way, if they come from another place, we can offer them accommodation, for example, to do their work in the church from our home. We can also support them financially.

The Gershonites get two carts and four oxen. They have the care for all the coverings. This speaks of the external testimony, the gospel.

The Merarites get four carts and eight oxen. They have the care for boards and pillars. This speaks of the care for the believers, the service of the shepherd. We can all help with the progress of the gospel and the care for the believers.

The Kohathites care for what speaks of the Lord Jesus and His work. God takes care of the help in its progress. Human resources, such as theological training, have no place here. The heavenly things should be carried on the shoulders. Without anything that might impress people, they carry their precious treasures through the wilderness.

Here David makes a fatal mistake. He forgets the precept of the LORD and places the ark on a cart. It appears not to be a safer means, but a more vulnerable means: the oxen nearly upset it. Uzzah has to pay for that with death (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Philistines also put the ark on a cart, but they act out of ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7-11).

Numbers 9:22

Distribution of the Carts and the Oxen

It seems that Moses doesn’t not know what to do with these gifts. It is not part of everything God has shown him about the tabernacle. But God makes it clear that Moses can accept them. They are the fruit of God-fearing souls, of men who have fellowship with God. What they bring is the result of spiritual considerations. God can accept that, because it was ultimately worked in them by Himself through His Spirit.

In the same way God wants to use in His service today means which He has not indicated as such in His Word, but which are the result of spiritual consultation with regards to the service in His house. The church is not a solidified matter, but a dynamic one, always in motion. God accepts initiatives that respond to the concerns of the moment when they come from a spirit of dependence on the Spirit and are in accordance with the Word.

God decides to whom the carts are made available. God does not proceed in the way of people who would divide everything fairly. God regulates everything in such a way that faith and love are tested in order to accept that He acts according to His will and wisdom. When we agree with His different actions, we take the place of blessing. The heart so attuned to God’s actions will rejoice in what he sees of Christ in another, while he himself does not possess it. We can rejoice in what He has given us, but also in what He has withheld from us and entrusted to others.

God entrusts each person with what is necessary for the service. He knows what each one has to bear and provides the necessary strength. We can apply this to means that facilitate the work of the Lord’s servants (Titus 3:13; 3 John 1:6b). In this way, if they come from another place, we can offer them accommodation, for example, to do their work in the church from our home. We can also support them financially.

The Gershonites get two carts and four oxen. They have the care for all the coverings. This speaks of the external testimony, the gospel.

The Merarites get four carts and eight oxen. They have the care for boards and pillars. This speaks of the care for the believers, the service of the shepherd. We can all help with the progress of the gospel and the care for the believers.

The Kohathites care for what speaks of the Lord Jesus and His work. God takes care of the help in its progress. Human resources, such as theological training, have no place here. The heavenly things should be carried on the shoulders. Without anything that might impress people, they carry their precious treasures through the wilderness.

Here David makes a fatal mistake. He forgets the precept of the LORD and places the ark on a cart. It appears not to be a safer means, but a more vulnerable means: the oxen nearly upset it. Uzzah has to pay for that with death (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Philistines also put the ark on a cart, but they act out of ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7-11).

Numbers 9:23

Distribution of the Carts and the Oxen

It seems that Moses doesn’t not know what to do with these gifts. It is not part of everything God has shown him about the tabernacle. But God makes it clear that Moses can accept them. They are the fruit of God-fearing souls, of men who have fellowship with God. What they bring is the result of spiritual considerations. God can accept that, because it was ultimately worked in them by Himself through His Spirit.

In the same way God wants to use in His service today means which He has not indicated as such in His Word, but which are the result of spiritual consultation with regards to the service in His house. The church is not a solidified matter, but a dynamic one, always in motion. God accepts initiatives that respond to the concerns of the moment when they come from a spirit of dependence on the Spirit and are in accordance with the Word.

God decides to whom the carts are made available. God does not proceed in the way of people who would divide everything fairly. God regulates everything in such a way that faith and love are tested in order to accept that He acts according to His will and wisdom. When we agree with His different actions, we take the place of blessing. The heart so attuned to God’s actions will rejoice in what he sees of Christ in another, while he himself does not possess it. We can rejoice in what He has given us, but also in what He has withheld from us and entrusted to others.

God entrusts each person with what is necessary for the service. He knows what each one has to bear and provides the necessary strength. We can apply this to means that facilitate the work of the Lord’s servants (Titus 3:13; 3 John 1:6b). In this way, if they come from another place, we can offer them accommodation, for example, to do their work in the church from our home. We can also support them financially.

The Gershonites get two carts and four oxen. They have the care for all the coverings. This speaks of the external testimony, the gospel.

The Merarites get four carts and eight oxen. They have the care for boards and pillars. This speaks of the care for the believers, the service of the shepherd. We can all help with the progress of the gospel and the care for the believers.

The Kohathites care for what speaks of the Lord Jesus and His work. God takes care of the help in its progress. Human resources, such as theological training, have no place here. The heavenly things should be carried on the shoulders. Without anything that might impress people, they carry their precious treasures through the wilderness.

Here David makes a fatal mistake. He forgets the precept of the LORD and places the ark on a cart. It appears not to be a safer means, but a more vulnerable means: the oxen nearly upset it. Uzzah has to pay for that with death (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Philistines also put the ark on a cart, but they act out of ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7-11).