Num 7 Beyond the Minimum

February 14th, Numbers 7

       Happy Valentines Day and welcome to expressions that go above and beyond. When you discover the true love of God it is a measureless blessing that when appreciated can overwhelm. On a day like Valentines day people attempt to offer expressions of love that go beyond the norm. Everyday must be Valentines day for God.
       The thing I witness in today's chapter is above and beyond. We've been reading page after page of offerings God requires. Offerings that are an obligation. I don't know about you, but I've felt the weight of those requirements and rejoice that we live in a different age. But in this chapter we see the heads of the 12 tribes come up with another offering. It doesn't seem to be required, no one asked for it, God didn't seem to ask for it, and yet it's another gift.
       I think to myself, where did they get more gold and silver? How does a nation of nomads have enough animals to keep up? Where is the ground worth farming that yields all these bushels of wheat and barley? I've seen pictures of this land they are in. Where do 1.5 million people with at least that many animals find the resources to not only sustain life, but to give so much of it away.
       I've had a tendency to be down on the Israelites, but in some ways they do amaze me. When the circumstances around us are bleak, we tend to hoard, not give. For them and us it is about faith in the provision of God. To not just offer what he asks, but to go beyond.
       Love offers more than an obligatory box of chocolates on Valentines Day, God's love and provision is always more than the bare minimum, and in the middle of the desert the twelve tribes came up with a bunch of wagons, animals, gold and silver to give their God. Above and Beyond. Praise God and thanks to those who have modeled that for me.