An Obedient Leader

Scripture(s): Numbers 7:1-2
Now on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it with all its furnishings and the altar and all its utensils; he anointed them and consecrated them also. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers' households, made an offering (they were the leaders of the tribes; they were the ones who were over the numbered men).

Commentary:
God having set up house (as it were) in the midst of the camp of Israel, the princes of Israel here come a visiting with their presents, as tenants to their landlord, in the name of their respective tribes. I. They brought presents, 1. Upon the dedication of the tabernacle, for the service of that (v. 1-9). 2. Upon the dedication of the altar, for the use of that (v. 10–88). And, II. God graciously signified his acceptance of them (v. 89). The two foregoing chapters were the records of additional laws which God gave to Israel, this is the history of the additional services which Israel performed to God (Henry, 1996).

Here is the offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle. Observe,

I. When it was; not till it was fully set up, v. 1. When all things were done both about the tabernacle itself, and the camp of Israel which surrounded it, according to the directions given, then they began their presents, probably about the eighth day of the second month. Note, Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings: first those, and then these (Henry, 1996).

II. Who it was that offered: The princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, v. 2. Note, Those that are above others in power and dignity ought to go before others, and endeavour to go beyond them, in every thing that is good. The more any are advanced the more is expected from them, on account of the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. What are wealth and authority good for, but as they enable a man to do so much the more good in the world (Henry, 1996)?

Strong's Concordance Definitions?

Moses: 4872
Moses = "drawn"
1) the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus

Had fully: 3615
1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent

a) (Qal)
1) to be complete, be at an end
2) to be completed, be finished
3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled
4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense)
5) to be spent, be used up
6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail
7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed
b) (Piel)
1) to complete, bring to an end, finish
2) to complete (a period of time)
3) to finish (doing a thing)
4) to make an end, end
5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass
6) to accomplish, determine (in thought)
7) to put an end to, cause to cease
8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend
9) to destroy, exterminate
c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed

Set up: 6965
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up

a) (Qal)
1) to arise
2) to arise (hostile sense)
3) to arise, become powerful
4) to arise, come on the scene
5) to stand
a) to maintain oneself
b) to be established, be confirmed
c) to stand, endure
d) to be fixed
e) to be valid
f) to be proven
g) to be fulfilled
h) to persist
i) to be set, be fixed
b) (Piel)
1) to fulfil
2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
c) (Polel) to raise up
d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
e) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to arise, raise
2) to raise, set up, erect, build
3) to raise up, bring on the scene
4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
5) to raise up, constitute
6) to cause to stand, set, station, establish
7) to make binding
8) to carry out, give effect to
f) (Hophal) to be raised up

the tabernacle: 4908
1) dwelling place, tabernacle

a) dwelling-place
b) dwellings

and had anointed: 4886
1) to smear, anoint, spread a liquid

a) (Qal)
1) to smear
2) to anoint (as consecration)
3) to anoint, consecrate
b) (Niphal) to be anointed

it, and sanctified: 6942
1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate

a) (Qal)
1) to be set apart, be consecrated
2) to be hallowed
3) consecrated, tabooed
b) (Niphal)
1) to show oneself sacred or majestic
2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred
3) to be holy
c) (Piel)
1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate
2) to observe as holy, keep sacred
3) to honour as sacred, hallow
4) to consecrate
d) (Pual)
1) to be consecrated
2) consecrated, dedicated
e) (Hiphil)
1) to set apart, devote, consecrate
2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow
3) to consecrate
f) (Hithpael)
1) to keep oneself apart or separate
2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God)
3) to be observed as holy
4) to consecrate oneself

it, and all the instruments: 3627
1) article, vessel, implement, utensil

a) article, object (general)
b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel
1) implement (of hunting or war)
2) implement (of music)
3) implement, tool (of labour)
4) equipment, yoke (of oxen)
5) utensils, furniture
c) vessel, receptacle (general)
d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
 
Reflection:
Moses was an obedient leader. God spoke with Moses on a regular basis, and instructed him on what he should do, and how he should do it. Moses did exactly what God told him to do. He did not complain about the responsibilities that God gave him; he just did what he was told. He was an awesome leader, that set an example for the other leaders to follow. He was at his post before anyone else was. He was in charge of so much, yet, he fulfilled his responsibilities of consecrating the meeting place, and everything that was in it; including all the utensils. This was not a small feat, it took many days, and it required much work. Regardless of how much work that it took, and how long it took, Moses was committed to God in consecrating the meeting place, and he completed his tasks.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank you for giving me the strength to be obedient in everything that you give me to do, without murmuring or complaining. I thank you for the tenancity to complete everything that you give me to do, with a willing heart. Thank you for guiding me throughout this day to do what you would have me to do. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Numbers 7 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 24 Feb 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Num&c=7&t=NASB


Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Numbers 7." Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 24 Feb 2010.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm AuthorID=4&contentID=754&commInfo=5&topic=Numbers&ar=Num_7_1

Higgins, S. (2010). An Obedient Leader. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing, http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com