Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. — Numbers 7:2
The 89 verses of Numbers chapter 7 are, to the Western reader, tedious and repetitive. Each of the twelve leaders brought the same hardware, livestock and miscellany. Yet each is mentioned by name together with a list of everything he brought. The same list of offerings is repeated twelve times. I find myself thinking — this should be a chart, a table or a spreadsheet. Throw in some photos and a Westerner could grab the essential meaning in about three seconds.
But it’s preserved like this instead — 89 verses.
Perhaps God is making a point. Maybe He’s saying that everybody’s contribution is recorded even yours and even mine. What we have to offer God may seem mundane and it may seem common, but not to God. He pauses, He ponders, He lingers over your offering and mine.
In this season of my life, to help make ends meet, every morning I get up at 4:30 and clean a bowling alley. Not what I envisioned when I graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1978. This was troubling me, so I talked with the Lord about it. His response deeply touched me: "What you do might not be valued highly in man’s sight, but I see everything you do, and I receive it as an offering of love to me. I value it, and that’s what matters."
That’s what matters.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.