Day 46

Numbers 7.  “A Living and Holy Sacrifice”

Over the course of twelve days the twelve tribes of Israel gave their gifts of dedication for the tabernacle.  You probably noticed that all twelve gifts were identical.  To me this is a remarkable thing.  Bible Commentator Matthew Henry notes that this points to the “equal share” that each tribe had in the tabernacle and altar.  I am sure that it was tempting to those tribes with greater resources to out-give the other tribes.  And yet none of them did.
Under the Old Covenant, all people came to God through the system of sacrifices.  Today, under the New Covenant, all people come to God through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  
The tribes gave their dedication offerings in recognition of the importance of the tabernacle.  So, what is an appropriate offering for us to give in recognition of Jesus?  Romans 12:1-2 says that we are to give our whole life as a “living and holy sacrifice.”  Now that is an offering that truly shows we all have equal share in the sacrifice of Christ for our salvation.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?