Numbers 7:5

_AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,_ The Lord spake ... Take it of them. They exhibited a beautiful example to all who are great in dignity and in wealth to be foremost in contributing to the support, and in promoting the interests, of religion. The strictness of the injunctions Moses had received, to adhere with scrupulous fidelity to the divine model of the tabernacle, probably led him to doubt whether he was at liberty to act in this matter without orders. God, however, relieved him by declaring His acceptance of the free-will offerings, as well as by giving instructions as to the mode of their distribution among the Levites. It is probable that in doing so He merely sanctioned the object for which they were offered, and that the practical wisdom of the offerers had previously determined that they should be distributed "unto the Levites, to every man according to his service" х_...

1-9 The offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. No sooner was the tabernacle set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change....

Verse Numbers 7:5. _ACCORDING TO HIS SERVICE._] That is, distribute them among the Levites _as they may need them_, giving most to those who have the _heaviest burdens_ to bear....

EXPOSITION THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES (Numbers 7:1). NUMBERS 7:1 ON THE DAY THAT MOSES HAD fully SET UP THE TABERNACLE. This expression, "on the day", has given rise to considerable difficulty. Strictly speaking it should mean the first day of the first month of the second year (Exodus 40:17); and so the Targum of Palestine, "It was on the day which begins the month Nisan." It is, however, quite clear from the narrative itself, as well as from its position, that the offerings were not actually made until after the taking of the census and the distribution of their resp

TAKE [IT] OF THEM,.... The present of the wagons and oxen, by which it appears that this freewill offering of the princes was according to his mind and will, and what they were influenced and guided to by his Spirit, and was well pleasing in his sight, and acceptable to him: THAT THEY MAY BE TO DO THE SERVICE OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION; be made use of, and employed in carrying the tabernacle, and the things of it, from place to place, when the Israelites journeyed: AND THOU SHALT GIVE THEM TO THE LEVITES; to ease them, whose business it was to bear and carry the several parts of the tabernacle, and the vessels of it: TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SERVICE; whether lighter or heavier, for such difference there was in the three divisions of the Levites; and according as their work was, they had more or fewer wagons and oxen given them, as it follows,...

5. THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The princes present their offerings (Numbers 7:1)_ 2. The command concerning these offerings and the Levites (Numbers 7:4) 3. The twelve princes and what they offered (Numbers 7:12) 4. Moses hears the voice from the mercy-seat (Numbers 7:89) This is the longest chapter in Numbers. The princes of Israel appear to bring their free-will offerings in six covered wagons drawn each by two oxen. No command had been given. With a willing heart they devoted of their possessions to the service of the sanctuary. The Lord accepting the offerings gave directions that

OFFERINGS OF WAGONS AND OXEN FOR THE TRANSPORT OF THE TABERNACLE. The offerings here mentioned are represented as having been made immediately after the erection of the Tabernacle (1), so that the date implied is a month earlier than that of ch. 1, though the census there described is here presupposed (2)_._ The wagons were to be used only for the conveyance of the hangings and woodwork of the Tabernacle. The Ark, as being more sacred, could only be borne by the Kohathites upon their shoulders. The idea that this, with the other contents of the Tabernacle, was too holy to be transported in wagons, and might be carried only on the shoulders of consecrated Levites, seems to have really been a post-Mosaic development. Even in David's time the Ark was conveyed in a cart (2 Samuel 6:3); but the death that befell Uzzah ...

DO THE SERVICE. Hebrew serve the service. Figure of speech _Polyptoton_ (App-6), for emphasis. perform the solemn service. TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION. tent of assembly. See App-40....

VIII. PRINCES.-' OFFERINGS AT THE DEDICATION (NUMBERS 7) TEXT Numbers 7:1. And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them: 2. that the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: 3. And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. 4. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 5. Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give the

THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES AT THE DEDICATION OF THE ALTAR The twelve princes, each representing his tribe, presented gold and silver vessels for use in sacrifices, sacrificial animals, and wagons and oxen for the transport of the tabernacle: see Numbers 4:29; The dedication of these offerings occupied twelve days, and was a service of thanksgiving....