Chapter Summary

The gifts of the princes.

Discussion Questions for Numbers, Chapter 7

1. What does it mean that Moses “anointed and consecrated” (v.1, ESV) the Tabernacle and all there within? What task was the tabernacle being set apart for? Though worship in the Tabernacle has many differences to Christian worship today, how should we dedicate our time of corporate worship as a local church in light of this passage? What does that look like, from the individual all the way to the entire local body?
2. Tied in with worship, the Tabernacle for Israel was also their avenue for their relationship with God and forgiveness of sin through multitudes of sacrifices. How is corporate worship in the local church also tied up with our personal relationship with God through the forgiveness of sin by sacrifice? What are some ways Christians can keep the work of Jesus Christ at the center of our worship together?
3. God informs Moses in verse 5 that these gifts are acceptable for the service of the Tabernacle. Why was it important that these gifts were acceptable? What made Jesus the perfect acceptable sacrifice for our sin? What are some ways to best communicate that Jesus was not just a good teacher, but was God and man who lived the perfect life to die for our sins? How would you approach someone you know personally who does not have faith in Jesus with these truths?
4. Why were the “chiefs of the tribes” (v.2, ESV), one for each of the 12 tribes, the ones responsible for bringing the offering? Are you a leader responsible for others, whether at work, home, or elsewhere? How do you set the example for how to follow the Lord to those you lead? What do you do well? What are some areas you could improve on?
5. Why were the sacrifices handed on to the priests to offer instead of given directly by the chiefs? Why do we also need someone to go before God on our behalf? How is Jesus both our sacrifice and our intercessory priest? How do Christians not grow numb to the holiness of God, and continually appreciate that we can approach God through Jesus?
6. Why did each tribe give the exact same thing? Why would a different offering not be accepted? Why is it important to stand by the exclusiveness of following Jesus, when there are many who believe there are multiple paths to God? How do Christians best communicate God’s singular acceptable standard, Jesus Christ, when the thought of subjective truth is so prevalent in the world?
7. Why are each of the same offerings repeated in the text, only differing with the day what chief offered it? Why was it important to God to individualize the offering, and each one faithful to bring it? What are some truths from scripture that we can keep in the forefront of our minds to remind us that the Lord knows and cares about all that we do?
8. Why is the offering of grain important to the Israelites who are wandering in the wilderness? How do Christians balance trusting and thanking God for our daily needs, while not simply treating God as a genie for our wants?
9. The burnt offering, that was to be totally consumed and took the place of the people, was for the general sinfulness of all the people and set them in right relationship with the Lord. What part of the Christian life does this best correspond to? How can each part of the offering be an illustration for someone making the decision to follow Christ? If you are a believer, what is your testimony for coming to Jesus?
10. The sin offering was made on behalf of a specific sin. Why was it made here corporately? What part of the Christian life might the sin offering best correspond to? How might the ordeal and the effort of the sin offering in the Tabernacle inform the ordeal and effort Christians should make in their regular repentance from sin? How might you improve how you turn back to the Lord after a certain sin?
11. The peace offering was given voluntarily to give thanks to the Lord, in which the one who offered would partake in eating some of the offering and the rest would be burned. What would be the purpose of this kind of offering, especially at the dedication of the tabernacle? What are the main ways Christians have communion with God today? How has communion in the Lord’s Supper helped you in your walk with the Lord? Describe a time when you were in communion with God in prayer when something big was about to happen in your life.

Key Words/Phrase

Offering, v. 3.

Characters

God, Moses, princes.

Strong Verse(s)

89