“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense.”
Context:The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and it focuses on the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. In chapter 7, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel bring offerings to consecrate the altar that was built for the worship of God.
The significance of the offerings:Each leader brings an offering on behalf of their tribe, and these offerings are listed in detail in Numbers chapter 7. The offerings consist of a variety of items such as silver plates, silver basins, golden spoons, bulls, rams, and lambs. These offerings were meant to express the leaders’ dedication and commitment to the worship of God.
The golden spoon:In Numbers 7:50, it mentions a golden spoon filled with incense. The golden spoon was one of the items used in the tabernacle for various purposes, such as offering incense before the Lord. The incense represented the prayers of the people going up to God. It symbolised their desire for their worship and devotion to be pleasing to God.
Symbolism and spiritual lessons:The golden spoon filled with incense carries several symbolic meanings and spiritual lessons:
- Worship and prayer:Incense was used as part of the worship rituals in the tabernacle, symbolising the prayers and worship offered to God. It reminds us of the importance of worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) and the power of prayer in our relationship with Him.
- Fragrance and aroma:Incense produces a pleasant fragrance when burned. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to live a life that is pleasing and fragrant before God (2 Corinthians 2:15). Just as the incense filled the tabernacle with a sweet aroma, our lives should emit the fragrance of Christ to those around us.
- Holiness and consecration:The offerings brought by the tribal leaders were part of the process of consecrating the altar. This act of consecration symbolised setting apart the altar for sacred purposes. It teaches us the importance of consecrating our lives to God and offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
- Unity and diversity:In Numbers 7, all the tribal leaders brought identical offerings, highlighting the unity and equality among the tribes of Israel. Although each leader represented a different tribe, they all contributed to the worship of God in the same way. This teaches us the value of unity in diversity within the body of Christ.
