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CHAPTER 16: The Offerings Of The Princes - The Setting Apart Of The
Levites - Second Observance Of ThePassover Numbers 7-9
THREE other occurrences are recorded, before the camp of Israel broke up from
Mount Sinai,although they may not have taken place in the exact order in which, for
special reasons, they are toldin the sacred text. These events were: the offering of
certain gifts on the part of "the princes" of Israel:(Numbers 7) the actual setting apart
of the Levites to the service for which they had been alreadypreviously designated;
(Numbers 7) and a second observance of The Passover." (Numbers 9:1-14)The
offerings of the princes of Israel commenced immediately after the consecration of
thetabernacle. (Leviticus 8:10-9:1; Numbers 7:1) But their record is inserted in
Numbers 7, partly inorder not to interrupt the consecutive series of Levitical
ordinances, which naturally followed uponthe narrative of the consecration of the
tabernacle, (Leviticus 11-end of book) and partly becauseone of the offerings of the
princes bore special reference to the wilderness-journey, which was thenabout to be
immediately resumed. Probably these offerings may have been brought on some of
thedays on which part of the Levitical ordinances was also proclaimed. We know that
the presentationof gifts by the princes occupied, altogether, the mornings of twelve, or
rather of thirteen days.
On the first day (Numbers 7:1-9) they brought in common "six covered wagons and
twelve oxen,"for the transport of the Tabernacle during the journeyings of the children
of Israel. Four of thesewagons with eight oxen were given to the Merarites, who had
charge of the heavy framework and ofthe pillars; the other two wagons and four oxen
to the Gershonites, who had the custody of thehangings and curtains. As for the
vessels of the sanctuary, they were to be carried by the Kohathiteson their shoulders.
Then, during the following twelve days "the princes" offered successively each
thesame gift, that so "there might be equality," anticipating in this also the New
Testament principle. (2Corinthians 8:14) Each offering consisted of a "silver charger,"
weighing about four and a halfpounds, a "silver bowl," weighing about two and a
quarter pounds, both of them full of fine flourmingled with oil for a meat-offering, and
a "golden spoon," about a third of a pound in weight, "full ofincense." These gifts
were accompanied by burnt, sin, and peace-offerings, which no doubt weresacrificed
each day, as the vessels were presented in the sanctuary. And as they brought
theirprecious offerings, with humble confession of sin over their sacrifices, with
thanksgiving and withprayer, the Lord graciously signified His acceptance by
speaking unto Moses "from off themercy-seat," "from between the cherubim."
(Numbers 7:89)
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