Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 7:84 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Context of Numbers 7:84 KJV
The book of Numbers is part of the Old Testament and is one of the five books of the Pentateuch, attributed to Moses. It is also known as the “Book of the Wilderness,” detailing the journey of the Israelites through the desert after their Exodus from Egypt. Numbers is a book rich in laws, historical accounts, census data, and instructions for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
Numbers 7 is a significant chapter because it marks the dedication of the altar in the newly constructed Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary where God‘s presence would dwell among His people as they traveled through the wilderness. The Israelites, as a covenant people, had to make offerings to God to ensure His favor and blessing. The leaders of each of the twelve tribes brought offerings for the dedication of the altar, and these offerings were presented over twelve days.
Numbers 7:84 falls into the section of the chapter where the princes of Israel are presenting their offerings to the Lord for the consecration of the altar. These offerings were meant to honor God, as well as to ensure His presence and guidance among His people. The verse emphasizes the quantity and nature of the offerings, which were made in response to God’s command and for the benefit of the entire community.
Numbers 7:84 (KJV)
Here is the verse from the King James Version (KJV):
Numbers 7:84:
“This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:”
This verse is part of a longer account detailing the offerings made by the leaders of Israel to dedicate the altar of the Tabernacle. The specific items listed here—chargers of silver, silver bowls, and spoons of gold—were gifts brought by the tribal leaders. These gifts were meant to consecrate the altar, anointing it for sacred use in the service of God.
Numbers 7:84 Meaning
To understand the deeper meaning of Numbers 7:84, we need to break down the key elements mentioned in the verse: the dedication of the altar, the anointing of the altar, and the offerings themselves.
The Dedication of the Altar
The dedication of the altar refers to the setting apart of the altar for the worship and service of God. The altar was central to the Israelite sacrificial system, where animals and offerings were presented to God for atonement, thanksgiving, and worship. The altar had to be consecrated, or made holy, before it could be used for these sacred purposes.
The act of dedicating the altar was important because it signified the beginning of a new phase in the life of the Israelites. The Tabernacle was now fully constructed, and the altar would be used for the worship of the one true God. This moment marked a transition for the people of Israel, as they moved forward in their journey with the Lord.
The Anointing of the Altar
The anointing of the altar is also mentioned in the verse. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a symbolic act that set something or someone apart for sacred use. Anointing was often done by the priests and signified that the object or person was dedicated to God’s service. In the case of the altar, anointing it with oil was a formal act to consecrate it as holy and to designate it as the place where offerings would be made to God.
The anointing of the altar signifies that it was now consecrated for the worship of God, and it was no longer just a common object. It had been set apart for a divine purpose, just as the priests, the Tabernacle, and the entire nation of Israel had been consecrated for service to the Lord.
The Offerings
The offerings brought by the princes of Israel were significant. The twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, and twelve spoons of gold were presented by the tribal leaders, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These gifts were valuable and symbolic, and their purpose was to honor God and consecrate the altar.
Twelve chargers of silver: A charger is a large, shallow dish, often used for serving food. In this case, the chargers were likely used for holding offerings or incense. Silver was a valuable metal, and its use in the offerings symbolized purity, holiness, and the wealth of the people given back to God.
Twelve silver bowls: The silver bowls could have been used for a variety of purposes, including holding oil or other offerings. Again, the silver represented purity and dedication to God.
Twelve spoons of gold: Gold is a symbol of God’s glory and majesty. The golden spoons were likely used to carry incense or other offerings to be placed on the altar. The gold added an element of beauty and value to the offerings, signifying that the people were bringing their best to God.
These offerings were not only gifts of material wealth, but they also symbolized the people’s commitment to honor God with their possessions. The gifts were meant to express gratitude, devotion, and a desire to ensure that God’s presence would dwell among them in the Tabernacle.
Numbers 7:84 Application in Life
The events described in Numbers 7:84, while specific to the dedication of the altar, have valuable lessons for us today. Though we no longer have the Tabernacle or the altar of sacrifice, the principles of dedication, anointing, and offering still apply to our lives as Christians.
Dedication to God
The dedication of the altar serves as a reminder that we, too, are called to dedicate ourselves to God. Romans 12:1 urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Just as the altar had to be consecrated for God’s use, so must our lives be consecrated and set apart for God’s service.
In practical terms, this means living a life that honors God in all areas—our work, relationships, thoughts, and actions. The dedication of the altar reminds us of the importance of offering ourselves fully to God.
Anointing for Service
The anointing of the altar with oil symbolizes being set apart for God’s service. As Christians, we are also anointed by the Holy Spirit for service. When we accept Christ, we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God’s will and to serve others in His name.
Just as the altar was anointed for a specific purpose, we too have been anointed by God for a specific purpose. We are called to be His ambassadors, spreading the message of the Gospel and living out His love in the world.
Offering Our Best to God
The offerings of silver and gold brought by the princes of Israel remind us that we are to offer our best to God. The people gave valuable gifts to honor God, and this teaches us the importance of giving our best in worship and service. This could include our time, talents, resources, and even our hearts.
God does not desire our leftovers or half-hearted efforts. Instead, He calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). When we give our best to God, we acknowledge His greatness and show our gratitude for His blessings.
Conclusion
Numbers 7:84 is a verse that speaks to the importance of consecration, anointing, and offering in the life of God’s people. It highlights the dedication of the altar and the offerings that were made to ensure that the altar was set apart for sacred use. While the specific items mentioned in the verse—silver chargers, bowls, and gold spoons—are no longer part of our worship practices today, the principles they represent remain vital for Christians.
As followers of Christ, we are called to dedicate our lives to God, to be anointed for service by the Holy Spirit, and to offer our best to Him in worship and service. The dedication of the altar in Numbers 7:84 serves as a powerful reminder that our lives are to be set apart for God’s use and that we are to offer Him our most precious resources.
Let us live lives of dedication, anointing, and offering, always seeking to honor God with everything we have. Through our actions, we demonstrate our love for Him and our desire to serve Him faithfully.
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