A Sincere Heart

Numbers 7 is perhaps the Bible chapter that I understand the least, not because I find it theologically challenging or because it presents a sensitive topic. It’s because it repeats the same long list twelve times. The leaders of the tribes of Israel bring the same offering for the tabernacle’s dedication: plates and dishes, bulls and lambs, and a lot more. The list is over one hundred words long, and the only difference in the repetitions is the name of the leader making the offering.

If I had written this chapter, I’d have one paragraph listing the twelve leaders and their tribes and one more stating that each brought the same list of items. Done! So why isn’t it written this way? We tend to focus on the tediousness of the repeated list, but God’s focus is on the individuals bringing gifts to honor God. Each one is acknowledged.

This reminds me that in order to praise God I don’t have to be overly clever or unique. I just need to be sincere and honest. At church, I don’t have to sing the loudest or with the best voice to stand out to God. When I’m volunteering, I don’t have to do a certain task for God to notice me. What God sees isn’t a bunch of people doing the same thing but each of us bringing gifts — our heart of worship, our service, our talents — to God, and that is what makes God glad.