Numbers 7:11-15: a reflection

11The LORD said to Moses, “They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar.” 12He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, 13and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; 14one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense; 15one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

In the dedication of the tabernacle, the tribal leaders bring their offerings, but not all at once, in a crowd; God directs that each prince present his offering on his own day, one after another. They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, God says. Each leader was given his own day, his own turn, to bring his gift, unhurried, without crowding or competing with the others. Each had his own day, his own moment, in an ordered succession, honored in turn.

Notice the order: each leader had his own day, his own turn. They did not all press forward together, competing for attention or crowding one another out; each was given his own day to bring his offering, honored in his turn. There was no need to compete for the spotlight, to push ahead of the others; each had his own appointed day, and could bring his gift unhurried, in his turn. The ordered succession gave each his own moment, without rivalry or crowding, each honored in his day.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can feel we must compete with others for our moment, crowding forward lest we be overlooked. We can feel we must push ahead of others, compete for attention or recognition, crowd forward lest our turn be lost; but each leader was given his own day, his own turn, without needing to compete. In God's ordering, there is room for each to have his own turn, his own moment, without rivalry; you need not compete for the spotlight or crowd others out. Do not feel you must push ahead of others, competing for your moment; trust that in God's ordering there is a turn for you, as each leader had his own day. Wait for your turn without rivalry or crowding, trusting that God gives each his own day, as each prince brought his offering on his own appointed day, honored in turn, without needing to compete with the others for the spotlight.

Lord, in the dedication of the tabernacle, the tribal leaders bring their offerings, but not all at once, in a crowd; you direct that each prince present his offering on his own day, one after another. They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, you say. Each leader was given his own day, his own turn, unhurried, without crowding or competing with the others. Show me the order: each leader had his own day, his own turn. They did not all press forward together, competing for attention; each was given his own day to bring his offering, honored in his turn. There was no need to compete for the spotlight, to push ahead of the others; each had his own appointed day. The ordered succession gave each his own moment, without rivalry. Take that to my heart, for I can feel I must compete with others for my moment, crowding forward lest I be overlooked. I can feel I must push ahead of others, compete for attention or recognition, crowd forward lest my turn be lost; but each leader was given his own day, without needing to compete. In your ordering, there is room for each to have his own turn, without rivalry. Keep me from feeling I must push ahead of others, competing for my moment; help me trust that in your ordering there is a turn for me, Lord, as each leader had his own day. Help me wait for my turn without rivalry or crowding, trusting that you give each his own day.