Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 7:55 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Numbers 7:55 presents an important moment in the history of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. It’s part of a larger passage that describes the dedication of the Tabernacle through offerings given by the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. In this verse, one specific leader, Elizur, the son of Shedeur from the tribe of Reuben, offers precious gifts to God. This act of sacrifice reveals many aspects of worship, consecration, and devotion to God that hold significance even for us today.
In this article, we will delve into the context, meaning, and application of Numbers 7:55, and we will reflect on how it relates to our walk with God as Christians.
The Context of Numbers 7:55 KJV
Setting: The Dedication of the Tabernacle
To understand the full significance of Numbers 7:55, we must first examine the setting. The Israelites were in the wilderness after having escaped slavery in Egypt. They were preparing to enter the Promised Land, but before doing so, God commanded Moses to build a Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as a place for the presence of God to dwell among the people.
The Tabernacle was a structure of great spiritual and practical importance. It symbolized God’s covenant with the Israelites and His desire to dwell with them. The Israelites were a people of sacred calling, and part of their worship required sacrifices and offerings as acts of devotion, dedication, and reconciliation with God.
In Numbers 7, the Israelites’ leaders made offerings to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings. These offerings were part of a ceremonial act that would sanctify the space where God’s presence would dwell. The offerings involved valuable materials, including silver, gold, animals, and flour, and were intended to demonstrate the people’s obedience and devotion to God. Each tribe had a leader who made these offerings, and Numbers 7:55 describes the offering of Elizur, the leader of the tribe of Reuben.
The Larger Context of Numbers 7
Numbers 7 provides an account of the dedication ceremony of the Tabernacle. The chapter records the offerings made by the leaders of each of the 12 tribes of Israel. For twelve days, each leader brought offerings for the Tabernacle, which included precious metals, animals for sacrifices, and fine flour mixed with oil for meat offerings. These offerings were given to ensure that the Tabernacle was consecrated for God’s presence and that the Israelites remained in right relationship with Him.
Numbers 7:55 is a small part of this larger ceremonial act of consecration. The offerings of the leaders highlight both their obedience to God and their commitment to the covenant. The leaders didn’t offer sacrifices out of mere obligation; their offerings represented their heartfelt worship and desire for God’s favor and presence among the people.
Numbers 7:55 (KJV)
The verse Numbers 7:55 in the King James Version (KJV) reads as follows:
“His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering.”
This verse describes the offering of Elizur, the leader of the tribe of Reuben. He brought a silver charger and a silver bowl, both filled with fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering. Let’s break this down further to understand its full meaning.
Key Elements in Numbers 7:55
One Silver Charger:
A charger was a large, flat vessel used for holding offerings. It was made of silver, a precious metal symbolizing value and purity. The weight of the charger was 130 shekels, which would have been a significant amount. This large offering shows the generosity of Elizur and the great value he placed on honoring God. The silver charger also represents the holiness of the offering and the dignity with which it was presented to God.
One Silver Bowl:
Alongside the charger, Elizur brought a silver bowl weighing 70 shekels. Like the charger, the bowl was made of silver and was meant to contain fine flour mingled with oil. The bowl’s weight also reflects its importance in the offering, but it was half the weight of the charger, symbolizing the different types of offerings that were presented to God.
Fine Flour Mingled with Oil:
The flour and oil were components of a meat offering, also called a grain offering. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the meat offering involved offering fine flour mixed with oil, often accompanied by frankincense. This was a thanksgiving and worship offering. The oil symbolized the Holy Spirit, and the fine flour symbolized purity. Together, they represent the sincerity and holiness of the offering. The oil was poured over the flour to create a mixture, demonstrating that the offering was not just a physical gift, but a spiritual act of worship.
The Importance of the Offering
Elizur’s offering highlights two important aspects of worship: generosity and obedience. He was not simply fulfilling a requirement; he was offering his best to God. His offering shows the value he placed on God and His presence among the Israelites. The act of bringing such a significant offering represents surrendering what is precious in order to honor God.
Numbers 7:55 Meaning
The Role of Offerings in Worship
The offerings made by Elizur and the other leaders were not simply ritualistic acts. They were expressions of devotion, obedience, and gratitude to God. These offerings highlighted the seriousness of Israel’s commitment to the covenant with God. By giving their finest materials, they demonstrated their acknowledgment of God’s holiness and their willingness to honor Him with their substance.
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, offerings played a significant role in maintaining right fellowship with God. Through these offerings, the Israelites acknowledged God as their Provider, Sustainer, and King. These sacrifices also pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would be the final offering for the sins of humanity.
The Symbolism of Silver
In the Bible, silver often symbolizes redemption and purification. In this case, the silver charger and silver bowl represent the purity of the offering. The weight of the silver further underscores the value and significance of the offering. For Christians, this can serve as a reminder that when we offer our lives to God, we should do so with the same seriousness and commitment that Elizur demonstrated with his offering.
The Significance of Fine Flour and Oil
The fine flour mixed with oil points to the holiness and purity of the worship that the Israelites were to offer to God. This mixture was a symbol of sincere devotion and wholehearted worship. For us as Christians, it serves as a reminder that our worship should not be superficial but should come from a pure heart and a desire to honor God in all we do.
The oil, as mentioned earlier, is often associated with the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to offer themselves as living sacrifices to God, filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1). Just as the flour was mixed with oil, our lives should be empowered and anointed by the Holy Spirit to live lives of worship and obedience to God.
Numbers 7:55 Application in Life
Offering Our Best to God
Elizur’s offering challenges us to offer our best to God. In our own lives, this can mean giving our time, resources, gifts, and talents for God’s glory. The silver charger and silver bowl represent value and importance, and we should offer God our very best, not just the leftovers. This involves sacrificial giving, whether it is in our finances, our time spent in prayer, or our acts of service to others.
Worshiping with Purity and Sincerity
The fine flour and oil remind us that our worship should come from a pure heart. It’s easy to go through the motions of worship without truly engaging our hearts, but God desires genuine devotion. As we offer our lives to God, let us ensure that our worship is sincere and without any hidden motives. We should worship with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from Him.
The Holy Spirit Empowering Our Worship
The oil in the offering symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live lives of worship and obedience. As believers, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices to God, and we cannot do this on our own. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Through the Holy Spirit, we can offer our best to God and live lives of worship that are not just ritualistic but deeply meaningful.
Conclusion
In Numbers 7:55, we witness an important moment in the life of Israel where Elizur, the leader of the tribe of Reuben, offers a silver charger and a silver bowl filled with fine flour mingled with oil. This act of sacrifice serves as a powerful example of obedience, devotion, and worship. Elizur’s offering is not just a ritualistic act but a genuine expression of his commitment to God.
As Christians, we are called to offer our best to God, not just in material gifts but also in our worship and devotion. Numbers 7:55 reminds us that true worship involves offering ourselves in sincerity and purity, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives that honor God. May we, like Elizur, give our best to God in every aspect of our lives and seek to worship Him with all that we are.
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