1.21 blog

The other day I was reading the Bible for my own edification (well, I do this most days, but this story happens a few days ago). I’m currently in the book of Numbers, which is famous for having census data in it. It probably ranks just below Leviticus in people’s “least favorite” books of the Bible. But, as 2 Timothy 3.16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable.” Sometimes people have a hard time believing that about Numbers. So here’s an example.

Chapter Seven is a kind of famously “boring” passage. God gives directions for the heads of the Tribes to bring an offering. And then it describes them bringing their offering. Each of the twelve tribal heads brings an offering, each offering is described, and each offering is identical. It’s essentially reading the same thing twelve times in a row.

But as I thought about the passage, it occured to me that this shows that all alike have the same problem. We all have the same debt of sin. No one’s really worse off than anyone else, even though it sometimes seems that way.

This should humble us when we feel superior to others. And it shoudl encourage us when we feel utterly worse than everyone else. We’re all in this together. I’m the sorst sinner I know (1 Timothy 1.15), but at the end of the day, we’re all in the same boat.

Further, we all have the same solution. Ultimately, the Offering behind these offerings in Numbers is Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. His death and his resurrection suffices for all who come to him in faith. As Charles Wesley said, “His blood can make the foulest clean. His blood avails for me.”

So if you trust him, thank Jesus for the total sufficiency of his atonement. Thank him that you are forever safe and secure. Such  sacrifice demands our total life and devotion, ask him to teach you to give it.

Posted by: Gene Schlesinger