In Numbers 1, we saw a repeating series of paragraphs counting warriors. In Numbers 7, we have another repeating section, this one counting offerings. Here’s the first such paragraph:

Now the one who brought his offering near on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah; and his offering was

• one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels,
• one silver bowl of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary,
  • both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;
• one gold pan of 10 shekels, full of incense;
• one bull from the herd,
• one ram,
• one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering;
• one male goat for a sin offering;
• and for the sacrifice of peace offerings,
  • two oxen,
  • five rams,
  • five male goats,
  • five male lambs one year old.

This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab. (Numbers 7.12 – 17, LSB, bulleted for clarity)

There are twelve such paragraphs, identical except for the names of the tribes and their leaders. PLUS, there’s a summary paragraph relisting all the gifts x 12.

I call it repetitive. I used to teach writing, and we valued conciseness. There are so many ways to “improve” this chapter, aren’t there? For example, we could write the paragraph above, and then say something like, “And all the other leaders of the tribes brought identical offerings on the following days. And here’s a list of those tribes and their leaders.”

The Book of Numbers doesn’t do it that way. Each day’s offering is listed in full as if it’s the only one. Even though there is a total given at the end, meaning the aggregate of the offerings counts, each day’s offering is given individual attention. Each on a different day: day 1 through day 12.

God treats each of us as special and joyfully accepts our offerings. And the promise is, God loves and blesses the *individual* cheerful giver:

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9.7, 8, ESV, emphasis mine)