At the dedication of the altar described in Numb. 7:, twelve princes of the tribes of

Israel bring their offerings consisting of twelve chargers, twelve silver bowls, and twelve

spoons of gold, besides meal, oil, incense, bullocks, rams and lambs. Between the

numbering of Israel and the apportioning of the service of the Levites, and this offering of

the princes comes a somewhat strange section dealing with leprosy, trespass, jealousy and

the Nazarite vow. There must be some lesson for us here, and to its discovery and

understanding we now apply ourselves. First of all let us see what connection these

separate items have, for we do not endorse the critical view that we have, in this fourth

book of the law, merely a miscellaneous collection of laws and incidents strung together

without method or purpose:--

Not till all this is traversed do we hear any more of tabernacle service. Here is a

solemn word concerning ministry and service unto the Lord, which is true in principle for

all time.

Just as the blessing is threefold, so the cause of separation (uncleanness) is threefold.

The trespass offering is twofold. First, trespass in general, with its added fifth; then the

particular trial of jealousy. The Nazarite section is twofold. First the loss and defilement

of the days of separation by unavoidable contact with sudden death; then the true

consecration of the days of separation, with its special offering of the Nazarite's hair.

Let us now pass these sections in review that the lessons they teach may not be lost upon