Numbers 7:35
and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.
and a peace offering of two oxen,

The peace offering celebrated peace with God and fellowship within His covenant people. Portions were offered upon the altar, while the priests and worshipers shared the remaining meat in a sacred meal. The two valuable oxen marked Elizur’s gratitude and honored the Lord at the altar’s dedication.

Lev 3:1-5 If one’s offering is a peace offering…
Lev 7:11-15 Now this is the law of the peace offering…
1Ki 8:63-64 And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD…

five rams,

The rams were presented as part of the peace offering, demonstrating the substantial nature of the gift. Elizur, representing Reuben, brought an offering appropriate to the Lord’s holiness and to the tribe’s shared participation in Israel’s worship.

Exo 29:15-18 Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons…
Lev 8:22-29 After that, Moses presented the other ram…
2Ch 29:21-24 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, and seven lambs…

five male goats,

These goats belonged to the fellowship sacrifice rather than to a separate sin offering. Their presentation showed that communion with God was not casual, but was maintained according to the sacrifice and priestly order He had established.

Lev 16:5-10 And he shall take from the congregation of Israel…
Lev 4:23-26 When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed,…
Lev 23:18-19 Along with the bread you are to present…

and five male lambs a year old.

Year-old lambs were in their strength and were suitable offerings before the Lord. The lamb later becomes a prominent biblical picture of the innocent sacrifice fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away sin.

Exo 29:38-42 This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar…
Num 28:3-4 And tell them that this is the food offering…
Lev 14:10-13 On the eighth day he is to bring two unblemished male lambs…

This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.

Elizur, whose name means “God is my rock,” was the leader of the tribe of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn tribe. His offering matched those of the other tribal leaders, displaying the unity of the tribes as they consecrated the altar and acknowledged the Lord’s presence among them.

Num 1:5 These are the names of the men who are to assist you:…
Num 10:18 Then the divisions of the camp of Reuben set out…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elizur son of Shedeur
Elizur was the leader of the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob. His offering is part of the dedication of the altar by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel.

2. Tribe of Reuben
The tribe of Reuben was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah.

3. Peace Offerings
These offerings were a type of sacrifice in the Old Testament that symbolized fellowship and peace with God. They were voluntary and expressed gratitude and communion with the Lord.

4. Dedication of the Altar
This event involved the leaders of each tribe bringing offerings over twelve days for the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle, signifying the unity and commitment of the tribes to God.

5. Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence of God among the Israelites, where sacrifices and offerings were made.
Teaching Points
Understanding Sacrificial Worship
The peace offerings in Numbers 7:35 remind us of the importance of sacrificial worship and gratitude in our relationship with God. Just as the Israelites offered sacrifices to express peace and fellowship, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices.

Unity in Worship
The collective offerings by the leaders of the tribes symbolize unity in worship. In the body of Christ, unity is essential as we come together to worship and serve God.

Gratitude and Fellowship
The peace offerings were a voluntary expression of gratitude. In our lives, we should cultivate a heart of thankfulness and seek to maintain fellowship with God and others.

Symbolism of Peace
The peace offerings symbolize reconciliation and peace with God. Through Christ, we have peace with God, and we are called to be peacemakers in our communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur teach us about the importance of leadership in worship and dedication to God?

2. How can the concept of peace offerings in the Old Testament be applied to our spiritual lives today?

3. In what ways can we, as a church community, demonstrate unity in our worship and service to God?

4. How does the New Testament concept of living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) relate to the peace offerings described in Numbers 7:35?

5. What practical steps can we take to cultivate a heart of gratitude and maintain fellowship with God and others in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 3
This chapter provides detailed instructions on peace offerings, highlighting their purpose and significance in maintaining a relationship with God.

Hebrews 13:15
This verse speaks of offering a sacrifice of praise, connecting the Old Testament practice of sacrifices with the New Testament call to offer spiritual sacrifices through Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the dedication and offerings made in the Old Testament.
The Free-Will Offering of the PrincesE.S. Prout Numbers 7:1-88
The Princes and Their Princely OfferingW. Binnie Numbers 7:1-89
Communion with GodNumbers 7:10-89
Communion with GodNumbers 7:10-89
Indications of the IncarnationHenry, MatthewNumbers 7:10-89
Rich Givers and Rich GiftsHenry, MatthewNumbers 7:10-89
Such as have Greatest Blessings and GiftsW. Attersoll.Numbers 7:10-89
The Condescension of God, and the Privileges of ManW. Jones.Numbers 7:10-89
The Ear of the HeartNumbers 7:10-89
The Princes' Offerings for the Dedication of the AltarW. Jones.Numbers 7:10-89
The Speech of the Divine SpiritProfessor Gess.Numbers 7:10-89
The Support of Religious InstitutionsD. Lloyd.Numbers 7:10-89
People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Issachar, Ithamar, Kohath, Levites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Sinai
Topics
Cattle, Elizur, Eli'zur, Fellowship, Goats, He-goats, He-lambs, Lambs, Male, Oblation, Offering, Offerings, Oxen, Peace, Peace-offering, Peace-offerings, Rams, Sacrifice, Sacrificed, Shedeur, Shed'eur, Sheep, Sons, Yearling
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 7:29

     7364   fellowship offering

Numbers 7:28-29

     4651   goat

Library
Separation and Service.
Numbers vi, vii. INTRODUCTORY. For many years these chapters had no special interest to me; but I have never ceased to be thankful that I was early led to read the Word of GOD in regular course: it was through this habit that these chapters first became specially precious to me. I was travelling on a missionary tour in the province of CHEH-KIANG, and had to pass the night in a very wicked town. All the inns were dreadful places; and the people seemed to have their consciences seared, and their hearts
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and Service

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
In this wonderful prayer, our Lord, as our great High Priest, appears to enter upon that perpetual office of intercession which he is now exercising at the right hand of the Father. Our Lord ever seemed, in the eagerness of his love, to be anticipating his work. Before he was set apart for his life-work, by the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him, he must needs be about his Father's business; before he finally suffered at the hands of cruel men, he had a baptism to be baptized with, and he was straitened
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Prophecy.
PROPHECY. Isaiah iii. 13; liii. "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: so shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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