Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 7:56 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Numbers 7:56 is part of the Old Testament of the Bible and is found in the Book of Numbers. This book provides detailed instructions about the Israelites‘ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land and their establishment as a nation under God’s laws. It also includes descriptions of rituals, offerings, and events that marked their relationship with God during their time in the wilderness.
Numbers 7:56 is part of the passage where the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel bring offerings to dedicate the Tabernacle, the movable sanctuary that would be the center of worship for the Israelites. This verse, which mentions the offering of a golden spoon filled with incense, may seem obscure at first glance, but it holds deep meaning when understood within the broader biblical context.
In this article, we will explore the context of Numbers 7:56, the meaning of the verse, its application to modern Christian life, and the lessons we can learn from it.
The Context of Numbers 7:56 KJV
The Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and is part of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). It details the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the brink of the Promised Land, spanning a period of about forty years. Numbers is filled with census data, laws, and instructions for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land God promised to their ancestors.
Numbers 7 specifically deals with the consecration of the Tabernacle, which is the central place of worship where God’s presence would dwell among His people. After the Israelites built the Tabernacle according to God’s detailed instructions, it needed to be consecrated through offerings and sacrifices. The twelve tribal leaders were called upon to bring offerings for the dedication of the Tabernacle, and each tribe contributed a specific offering, as detailed in the first part of Numbers 7.
The Offerings of the Leaders
In Numbers 7, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel bring their offerings on successive days to consecrate the Tabernacle. Each leader presented the same offerings, which included gold, silver, animals for sacrifice, and incense. The purpose of these offerings was to honor God, seek His favor, and sanctify the Tabernacle as a holy place where God’s presence would dwell among the people.
Numbers 7:56 falls within the series of offerings. This verse details the offering presented by the leader of the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan. He brought a golden spoon weighing ten shekels filled with incense, along with other gifts and sacrifices. While this may seem like a small detail, it contributes to the overall picture of the importance of consecrating the Tabernacle and the seriousness with which the Israelites were to approach their worship of God.
The Role of Incense
Incense played an important role in the worship of God throughout the Old Testament. It was used in various offerings, including those in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Incense symbolizes prayer and worship in the Bible. The rising smoke of incense represented the prayers of the people going up to God.
In the Tabernacle, incense was burned on the altar of incense, located just outside the Holy of Holies where God’s presence dwelled. The act of offering incense was a symbolic act of presenting the prayers of the people before God. In Exodus 30:8, God commanded that incense be burned morning and evening, indicating that it was an essential part of worship and consecration.
Numbers 7:56, in particular, underscores the significance of incense in Israel’s relationship with God. The offering of a golden spoon of incense represents the desire of the Israelites to honor God through their worship and seek His presence. Incense, therefore, is not just a physical offering but a symbolic act that reflects the hearts of the people being consecrated to God.
Numbers 7:56 (KJV)
The verse reads:
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:” (Numbers 7:56 KJV)
The Specific Offering
This verse provides a detailed description of the offering brought by the leader of the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan. The offering consisted of a golden spoon weighing ten shekels, which was filled with incense. Let’s break down the elements of this offering:
Golden Spoon: The use of gold signifies the preciousness of the offering. Gold is a material that has been associated with purity and value throughout the Bible, symbolizing the holiness and worthiness of the offering to God. The golden spoon suggests that the offering was made with reverence and was worthy of the honor it represented.
Ten Shekels: The shekel was a unit of currency and weight in ancient Israel. Ten shekels was a significant amount, symbolizing a substantial and generous offering. It indicates that the leader, Abidan, was offering something of value and was not giving a token offering but a meaningful one.
Incense: Incense symbolizes prayer and worship in the Bible. By offering incense, Abidan was expressing the tribe’s desire for God’s presence and their commitment to honor Him in their worship. The incense in this case is a sign of the tribe of Benjamin’s willingness to participate in the consecration of the Tabernacle and offer their prayers to God.
The Bigger Picture of the Offerings
It’s important to note that each tribe’s offering in Numbers 7 was the same. While the amounts and types of offerings varied, the offerings were presented as a collective act of worship and consecration. This unity in worship shows the importance of collective sacrifice and dedication to God.
Though Numbers 7:56 focuses on a single tribe’s offering, it is part of a larger sequence where each tribe, including Benjamin, expressed its commitment to God through a generous and meaningful offering. The golden spoon of incense serves as a reminder that all of God’s people, from the leaders down to the lowest in rank, are to give of themselves in service and worship.
Numbers 7:56 Meaning
The Symbolism of Incense
In Numbers 7:56, the offering of incense symbolizes prayer, worship, and communication with God. Throughout the Bible, incense is a symbol of prayers ascending to God. In the New Testament, in Revelation 5:8, incense is described as the prayers of the saints: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
The golden spoon filled with incense in Numbers 7:56 represents the tribe of Benjamin’s desire to communicate with God and their recognition of His holiness. The offering of incense was not just a ritual but a way of expressing devotion and worship. It was an act that recognized God’s greatness and the need for His guidance and blessing.
The Offering as a Form of Obedience
The act of presenting an offering in the Tabernacle was a sign of obedience to God’s command. In Exodus 30:8, God commanded the Israelites to burn incense before Him daily. The leaders of each tribe, including Abidan of the tribe of Benjamin, were showing their obedience to this command. Through the offering of the golden spoon filled with incense, they acknowledged that they were not their own but belonged to God and were called to live in accordance with His will.
By making these offerings, the leaders demonstrated their recognition of God’s sovereignty and their desire to be in fellowship with Him. The offering of incense, specifically, represented a desire for a continual relationship with God, symbolized by the continuous burning of incense in the Tabernacle.
The Sacrifice of Worship
In Numbers 7:56, the golden spoon filled with incense is a sacrifice. While incense was not a costly physical sacrifice like the animal offerings, it still represented a meaningful offering to God. In the context of the Tabernacle, every offering was significant because it symbolized the willingness of the Israelites to give up something of value to worship God.
The golden spoon represents the sacrifice of worship—the act of dedicating one’s time, resources, and heart to God. For Christians today, worship is not limited to material offerings but involves offering our hearts, minds, and lives to God in service and devotion.
Numbers 7:56 Application in Life
The Importance of Offering Our Prayers to God
The offering of incense in Numbers 7:56 serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer in our relationship with God. Just as the incense symbolized the prayers of the Israelites, our prayers today are a way for us to communicate with God. Prayer is not just about asking for things but about worshiping, thanking, and seeking guidance from God.
As Christians, we are called to pray continually and offer our hearts to God in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” This verse reminds us that prayer is a constant part of the believer’s life and a way to remain in communion with God.
The Need for Obedience in Worship
The offerings in Numbers 7:56 also remind us that worship is about obedience. It is not enough to go through the motions of worship; we must worship in spirit and in truth. Just as the Israelites were called to present offerings in obedience to God’s command, we too are called to worship God in obedience to His Word. This means living a life that reflects our commitment to Him, both in public and private.
Sacrificial Worship
The offering of incense in this verse also points to the idea of sacrificial worship. Worship is not always convenient or easy; it requires sacrifice. For Christians, worshiping God often requires giving up our own desires, comforts, and time to honor Him. This might look different for each person, but the principle remains the same: true worship involves sacrifice.
Conclusion
Numbers 7:56 may seem like a small detail in the broader context of the offerings brought for the dedication of the Tabernacle, but it carries deep significance. The golden spoon filled with incense represents prayer, worship, obedience, and sacrifice. It reminds us of the importance of offering our lives to God and seeking His presence in all that we do.
As Christians, we are called to offer our prayers to God continually, to obey His commands, and to worship Him with sacrificial hearts. The offering of incense in Numbers 7:56 teaches us that worship is not just a ritual but a heartfelt expression of devotion and love for our Creator. By understanding the symbolism of the incense offering, we can deepen our own walk with God and live lives that are pleasing to Him.
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