Good Morning.
Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering. And they brought their offering before the Lord. (Numbers 7:2-3)
According to the text, as soon as Moses had set up the Sanctuary and consecrated it, all the leaders of the twelve tribes brought gifts to be used for the service and upkeep of the Tabernacle. As the text describes it, this occurred over twelve days, meaning the prince from each tribe was given his day to bring his gift. By the account, it is easy to see that these princes were not poor but fairly wealthy, or so it seems. Perhaps much of this had been taken as plunder from the Egyptians but, at any rate, a great deal of wealth came into the treasury of the Sanctuary.
Also notice that the gifts presented by each prince were pretty much identical. Perhaps the amount had been set by God, or it might be that once the first gift was presented, those that followed did not attempt to outdo the others. At the same time, though the gifts were identical, rabbinical commentators believe that the offering represented something unique for each tribe. In other words, the notion is that two people can offer the very same gift but it means something unique to each individual. In some cases, though identical, it may cost one more than it costs the other. In such a situation, God knows the distinctions even if man cannot detect them.
This reminds us of what happened in the Temple on the day that a certain poor widow came into the Sanctuary to worship. As Yeshua observed all of the wealthy people presenting their gifts, He took special notice of this woman who deposited two mites. And while He did not rebuke the wealthy for their contributions, He made it clear that she had given more than all because, “they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:44).
Thus we are to understand that God is not impressed with the size of our gift but with a heart that gives willingly and, even, sacrificially. So when we give — whether materially or otherwise — let it always be with a willing heart and a cheerful demeanor.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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