The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 85

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ch. vii.-The princes and their princely offeri.ng. Here is perhaps the longest chapter in all the Bible. What is it occupied with? It is, in effect, a List of Subscribers. Certain costly articles were wanted to complete the furnishing of the tabernacle. Twelve men of chief note in their respective tribes came forward, of their own accord, and offered to provide the articles. The offer was accepted ; and in this chapter of God's word the Holy Spirit has inscribed, one by one, the names of the donors, together with an inventory of the articles which each of them brought. Some people affect to despise the piety which expresses itself in costly gifts to the Church of Christ, and deem Lists of Subscribers an exhibition of ostentatious vulgarity. But in this chapter there is the best of warrants for these despised features of our modem Christianity. I. Observe the OCCASION of the gifts here commemorated. The Lord's tabernacle hns been constructed, furnished, anointed, and (what is best of all) occupied by the King whose pavilion it was intended for. Yes; and the construction and furniture of this royal tent have been effected by the voluntary gifts of a willing people. The tabernacle and its furniture are completed according to the paUern shown to Moses on the mount. No necessary pa.rt is wanting. Still there is room for some supple- mentary gifts. Take two examples. 1. When the tabemncle was first dedicated there would no doubt be a golden spoon for Aaron's use when he burned incense at the golden altar. One such spoon was all that was strictly necessary. But it would occasionally happen that there would be more than one call to burn incense about the same time, and it was evidently unbecoming that in the palace of the King any worshipper should have to wait till the golden spoon was available. Hence the gift of the twelve golden spoons now presented by the princes. 2. The Levites have been appointed to bear the tabernacle and its furniture. They are able to do it; but not without difficulty, especially during the sojourn in the wilderness, where it is to be emphatically a moving tent. There was room, therefore, for a present of carriages and draught oxen. There are Christian congregations to whom this ch11pter teaches a much-needed lesson. The roll of their membership includes men of substance, yet they suffer the sanctuary to wear an aspect of threadbare penury and its services to he hunger-bitten. This ought not so to be. II. THE INVENTORY OB' THE GIFTS. 1. Some were for the tabernacle in its wander- ing lltate. Six waggons were provided,-they seem to have been small covered chariots,-nnd a yoke of oxen was attached to each. These woggons were distributed among the Levitical families according to the nature and omowit of the burdens which had been assigned them respectively. 2. Others were for the handselling of the tabernacle service. These consisted partly of gold and silver utensils for the stated service ; partly of offerings to be presently consumed. The offerings included nil the principal kinds in use under the law. There were burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings. 'l'he first sort and the last were much the most numerous. It was a time when the congregation might well rejoice before the Lord-freely devoting thel:a.lielves to him, tmd cx,1atiating on the blessedness of communion with h:m, A  THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [en. vn. 1-89.