Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 7:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible is filled with profound lessons and detailed accounts of the people of God during different periods of their history. One such verse, Numbers 7:20, is part of a larger narrative that involves the consecration of the Tabernacle and the offerings made by the leaders of Israel. This verse, like many others, holds important truths and lessons that we can apply to our lives today. To understand Numbers 7:20, we need to explore its context, the verse itself, its deeper meaning, its application in life, and draw a conclusion about the lessons it teaches.
In this article, we will break down Numbers 7:20 by looking at its context, providing the verse itself, interpreting its meaning, and reflecting on how it applies to modern life. Finally, we will conclude by summarizing the key lessons that can be drawn from this passage.
The Context of Numbers 7:20 KJV
The Book of Numbers: A Time of Transition
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament and follows the Israelites’ journey as they wander through the wilderness. It is a record of the events that took place after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. They are on their way to the Promised Land, but before they can enter, they must deal with various challenges, including leadership, organization, and faithfulness to God’s commands.
In Numbers 7, we see that the Israelites are still at the foot of Mount Sinai, preparing for the journey ahead. This chapter records the offerings brought by the twelve tribal leaders of Israel to consecrate the newly built Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God among His people. The offerings were brought in a systematic way over the course of twelve days, each tribe’s leader presenting their gifts one by one.
The focus of Numbers 7 is on the offerings and the dedication of the Tabernacle. The offerings represented the people’s devotion to God, their acknowledgment of His authority, and their recognition of the holiness of the Tabernacle. These acts of worship were performed in obedience to God’s command and showed their willingness to be consecrated as a holy nation set apart for His purposes.
The Offerings in Numbers 7
In Numbers 7:1-89, the tribal leaders each bring offerings that consist of silver, gold, grain, and animals. These offerings were not just for the Tabernacle, but also symbolized the Israelites’ devotion to God and their obedience to His instructions. Numbers 7:20 marks the offering of the leader of the tribe of Gad.
The pattern of the offerings is consistent throughout the chapter. Each offering includes a silver charger, a silver bowl, fine flour mixed with oil, and sacrificial animals. These gifts were not just material things, but represented the people’s willingness to dedicate themselves and all their resources to God.
Numbers 7:20 (KJV)
“One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:”
Breaking Down the Offering in Numbers 7:20
To understand the significance of Numbers 7:20, we need to look closely at the elements of the offering:
One Gold Spoon: The offering includes one gold spoon. The use of gold is highly significant in the Bible. Gold often symbolizes purity, beauty, and value. When something is made of gold in Scripture, it is typically considered precious and sacred. The gold spoon, therefore, represents a valuable and worthy offering to God.
Ten Shekels: The spoon weighs ten shekels. In ancient Israel, a shekel was a unit of weight, and ten shekels would have been a considerable amount. The weight of the spoon indicates that the offering was not just symbolic, but a real, tangible gift that was worthy of God’s holiness.
Full of Incense: The spoon is filled with incense. Incense in the Bible is often used in connection with prayer, worship, and the presence of God. Incense was burned in the Tabernacle as a symbol of the prayers of the people ascending to God (see Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 5:8). The incense in this offering signifies the sweet-smelling fragrance of devotion and the prayers of the people rising to God.
This offering of the gold spoon filled with incense is part of the larger system of offerings being made for the consecration of the Tabernacle. It represents the people’s acknowledgment that God is worthy of their most precious and valuable gifts. The gold spoon and the incense show the people’s devotion and their desire to offer something pure and pleasing to God.
Numbers 7:20 Meaning
The Significance of Gold
The use of gold in this offering is symbolic of purity, sanctity, and the preciousness of God. Gold is one of the most valuable materials in the Bible, and its use in the Tabernacle and other places of worship signifies the holiness of God and His temple. The gold spoon in Numbers 7:20 is a reminder that we, too, are called to give God our best and most precious offerings. Just as the gold represents something of great value, our offerings to God should reflect His worthiness and the high honor we give Him.
In the Bible, gold is also associated with divine presence. The Tabernacle itself was overlaid with gold, and the ark of the covenant was made of gold. This tells us that the gold spoon, along with the incense, was a way of showing that God’s presence was to be honored in the highest and most valuable way.
The Role of Incense in Worship
Incense plays a significant role in worship throughout the Bible. In Exodus 30:34-38, God commands that incense be used in the Tabernacle, and the priests were to burn it continually as an offering to Him. The incense represents the prayers of God’s people, as seen in Psalm 141:2: “Let my prayer be set before thee as incense.” In Revelation 5:8, we see that the incense in the heavenly sanctuary represents the prayers of the saints.
The incense in Numbers 7:20 can therefore be seen as a symbol of the Israelites’ prayers and devotion to God. By presenting this incense-filled spoon, the leader of the tribe of Gad was offering not only a physical gift but also a spiritual offering—an expression of the people’s devotion and their desire to have their prayers heard by God. The fragrance of the incense symbolizes the pleasing nature of the Israelites’ worship and the desire for God to be near to His people.
The Meaning of the Offering
The offering in Numbers 7:20 reflects the Israelites’ recognition of God’s worthiness to receive the best of what they have. The gold, the shekels, and the incense all point to God’s holiness and the people’s desire to honor Him. The gift represents their dedication to God and their recognition of His presence among them.
The offering in Numbers 7:20 also emphasizes the importance of offering something of value to God. God does not desire our leftovers or what we give out of obligation, but rather, He desires our best—a pure, wholehearted offering of devotion. The gold spoon and incense show that the Israelites were willing to give God their best in recognition of His worthiness.
Numbers 7:20 Application in Life
Offering the Best to God
Just as the leader of the tribe of Gad gave a gold spoon filled with incense, we are called to offer our best to God in our worship and service. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us that God desires our heart and devotion. In Matthew 22:37, He says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” God wants us to give Him the best of our lives—not just in what we offer in material goods, but in our love, time, and devotion.
Our worship, like the offering of the incense, should be an expression of our love and reverence for God. Whether it’s through prayer, service, or living according to God’s will, we are called to offer God our best, just as the Israelites did in Numbers 7:20.
The Value of Prayer
The incense in Numbers 7:20 symbolizes the prayers of the people, and this has a direct application for us today. Just as the Israelites used incense to symbolize their prayers, we too are called to make prayer an integral part of our worship. Prayer is our way of communicating with God and offering our hearts to Him.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are told to “pray without ceasing.” Our prayers, like the incense, rise to God as a sweet-smelling offering. We are encouraged to offer our petitions, praises, and thanks to God continually, knowing that our prayers are pleasing to Him.
God’s Worthiness to Receive Our Best
The gold spoon in Numbers 7:20 represents the idea that God is worthy of our best. It’s easy to fall into the trap of giving God what is convenient or what is left over, but God desires more. He deserves our best offerings, just as the Israelites gave their finest gifts for the Tabernacle.
We should ask ourselves: Are we giving God our best? Whether it’s our time, our talents, or our resources, we are called to give back to God what He has graciously given us. The offering in Numbers 7:20 challenges us to reflect on the value of what we offer to God and whether it reflects His worthiness.
Conclusion
Numbers 7:20 highlights the importance of offering our best to God, both materially and spiritually. The golden spoon and incense given by the tribe of Issachar symbolize the purity, value, and sincerity of the people’s devotion to God. This passage teaches us that worship is not just about external acts but about the condition of our hearts. We are called to offer God our best, worship Him with sincerity, and obey His as we reflect on this verse, let us be encouraged to offer our best to God in every area of our lives. Let us also remember that true worship involves the heart and is marked by obedience and sincerity. When we worship God in this way, we honor Him and experience the fullness of His presence and blessing.
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