PRINCES
PRINCES
“The princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, the princes of the tribes, they that were over them that had been numbered” — full titles and offices.
The bullocks and waggons denote the thoughtfulness of the saints, in a rich way, for those who are serving — those who toil. They were given to the Gershonites and the Merarites — those who carried heavy parts of the tabernacle. All this comes out in Acts.
Nahshon gives the lead — prince of the tribe of Judah. This offering or giving of the princes reflects God — He loves a cheerful giver. Thus each prince has a day; the offering was spread over twelve days.
There were three vessels — one large and one small silver vessel full of fine flour mingled with oil. A brother may present Christ in a larger or smaller way; it is Christ in either case; the quality is the same. The gold vessel is small, a cup full of incense — quality for God in the way of odour. It is a sweet savour of Christ in those that are saved and in those that perish.
Princes coming from different parts and without consultation and yet each offering the same as the others, typifying unity of the Spirit, all have the same thoughts of Christ. The aggregate of their gifts, enumerated in verses 84 to 88, is the “dedication gift” of the altar. At the end Moses goes in to the tent of meeting to speak with God, but God speaks with him first — then Moses speaks to God. God’s speaking is according to His mercy and authority — all founded on the ark of the testimony.