(Num. 7:)

In reading this very long chapter, the question naturally is asked, Why is there so much apparently needless space given to offerings the same in every particular in the case of each of the twelve princes ? The simple facts might have been stated in one twelfth the space, and not one item have been omitted. But we well know that here as everywhere else all is perfect; and if we have eyes to see, the very repetitions-never in God's Word " vain repetitions,"-convey to us lessons in a way more striking and forcible than could have been done by any other means.

The position of this chapter is note worthy. In the first chapter of the book, we have Israel ranged around the tabernacle in due order,-each tribe numbered and associated with its appropriate companions; next, we have the evil excluded from the camp; then, positive consecration, in the Nazarite ; finally, as the crown upon it all, the consecrated offerings of the twelve princes. All this has much that is simple in its application to ourselves. The proper center is Christ; round Him, in God's eyes, even if we fail to manifest it before the world, we are gathered. Each one numbered,-not one forgotten or left out." He calleth His own sheep by name"-none so insignificant as to be needless. Each, too, is in his proper position, associated with those to whom he ministers and from whom he receives that which is lacking in each-thus tempered together, " fitly framed together," no part lacking, the " whole body maketh increase unto the edifying of itself in love."Equally simple and important is the exclusion of defilement,-whether defiled persons, as in i Cor. 5:, or defiled things, as in Col. 3:, i Pet. 2:Resulting from this putting off the deeds of the old man is the full consecration, in a threefold measure, of the Nazarite, who shows us what the separation of Christ was,-" For their sakes I sanctify Myself," which is the example for us, " that they also might be sanctified through the truth."Now comes the presentation of offerings, acceptable and well pleasing, because in their proper position, springing out of proper relationships and conditions of heart.

The material of the offerings, whether of utensils or sacrifices, spoke of Christ. The bowls and chargers were of silver-the white metal of redemption,-in itself suggesting both the price paid and the effect wrought. This was the first part of the offering of each prince. God begins with redemption :it is for Him the ground upon which He can have to do with us in grace. He would have us remember this, and in our approaches to Him to have the same thoughts. These silver utensils were filled with fine flour mingled with oil. The flour reminds us of Him who as a perfect man walked here for God. Subjected to the grinding force of circumstances and trials, it only the more clearly manifested the fine flour of a perfect humanity. The oil mingled with the flour speaks of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who was with Him, in Him from the moment of His conception. Here, then, we have the person of Christ. The gold was typical of divine glory, and so of Him who perfectly glorified God in what He was and what he did. He was the brightness-the effulgence of His glory, the express image of the character, the imprint of His person." I have glorified Thee on the earth."Fitly following the silver of redemption and the meal of His perfect humanity is this gold which tells how perfectly God was manifested and glorified. The incense was, to God, fragrant of Christ, all of whose garments smell of myrrh and cassia and aloes. " This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."God has found His delight in Him."His name is as ointment poured forth."Let us ever remember that Christ is inexpressibly dear to God. And how beautifully appropriate is it that the gold of divine glory should contain the incense of a precious Christ! It is so all through. When we see God's glory manifested, we will find the sweet savor of Christ present. Whether we look back at creation,-nay, before that (Prov. 8:), or at the incarnation, or up into those regions where all is gold, we will find that this gold-this manifestation of glory is, as it were, the receptacle for sweet incense, the means of presenting to us the value of Christ in God's eyes. Next come the sacrifices, beginning with the burnt-offering. " One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year."Unity seems to be suggested here, in the one, diversity in the three kinds of animals. There is but one burnt-offering; it is enough, and it is complete. The bullock, the animal of strength and service, shows us Christ in the perfection of His strength, in the full submission of His service, yielding Himself up wholly to God in death. The ram speaks of consecration-that obedience unto death which could stop at nothing short of that full measure of devotion. The lamb, again, reminds us of that meekness which could say, " Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Blessed Lord !All, all was laid willingly upon the altar. " I delight to do Thy will " was the language of Thy heart; as the bullock in perfect strength, the ram in devotedness, the lamb in meekness, Thou didst lay down Thy life for God's glory !

For the sin-offering, there is but the single kid of the goats. One there must be, or the view of Christ's work would be incomplete; more than one was not needed, for here the single thought of judgment against sin, borne fully, was presented. There is no multiplication of the sin-offering. It was not a sweet savor unto God, it was a solemn reminder of our sins, and of penalty borne and debt paid; but this thought, while present, does not dominate God's view of Christ, nor should it our worship of Him.

Lastly come the peace-offerings, beginning with two, which would seem to remind us of God and man-food for both,-and then three series of fives-God with man perfectly manifested. What variety is here ! The ox, as we have seen, means service, strength. God calls us to share with Him in that view of Christ's work which is for us as well as for Him. " Five rams " gives us our share in
a devotedness which, while it was to God, was for us. The goats are not here sin-offerings, but sweet savors to God, yet of those animals which were ordinarily used for sin-offerings. He who was made sin for us was also most perfectly well pleasing to God-never more so than when made sin. He is also our food. How these twos and fives and threes tell us that God would have us " eat,- yea, drink abundantly"! The peace-offerings are not limited-their very numbers tell us this. "God with us " is the only measure of communion.

Such, imperfectly, is the character of these offerings of the twelve princes. Have we not seen, in going over them, why God could repeat each offering over in full at each presentation ? Christ is the subject, and He never becomes tedious to the Father. He dwells with delight upon each aspect of the Lord's person and work. He lingers over their descriptions, He goes back to them with fresh delight. He makes no general summary including all, but enters with keen delight into each detail.

Does not all this speak to our conscience and heart? If God thus protracts the enumeration of the oft-repeated excellencies of His Beloved, shall we not learn to imitate Him, and never grow weary of dwelling upon them and of speaking of them to one another. It is unfamiliarity with the subject which leads one soon to weary of it. The enthusiast never tires of thinking of what absorbs him,-the painter, his art,-the merchant, his business. So let it be with us. Let us learn, from those eighty-nine verses, to be such enthusiasts in regard to our blessed Lord,-so absorbed with Him, that we can truly say, "Jesus, of Thee we ne'er would tire."

Notice, too, that these princes have in their offerings a point of resemblance. Differing in name, each one significant of some special truth needed by their tribe; differing in tribe, each one with special weakness needing special grace ; they meet in a common point, and that is Christ. Here the need, whatever it may be, has been fully met:the grace, whatever it may be, is "the grace that is in Christ Jesus." They are linked together, and covered over, as it were, by their offerings. How simple the lesson ! Around Christ, occupied with Him, all His people find all their needs met, and themselves knit together by that which occupies them.

But, lastly, in this twelve fold repetition of the offerings, we see how God regards individual devotedness. The offering of each one is noted by itself. This shows us that we are individuals. Our service, our trials, our worship, is viewed separately, and "in that day," "every man shall have praise of God."