What does it say?
The sons of Israel gave to the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, the sons of Levi, carts and oxen for their work but not the sons of Kohath because they were to carry the holy things on their shoulders. The leaders of the tribes of Israel made their offering on the day of dedication of the altar. Each of the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel gave the same offering: “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 grain offering; one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old.” Each gave their offering on a different day, over the course of twelve days. Moses went into the tent of meeting and heard the voice speak to him from above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim.
What does it mean?
The Levites had been divided into four family groups. The sons of Aaron were priest to the Lord. The sons of Kohath, the sons of Gershon, and the sons of Merari were the Lord’s servants. The Lord had setup a tribe to be supported by the twelve tribes of Israel. The Lord took the sons of Levi as his servants in place of the first born sons in Israel. The sons of Israel were twelve in all but the sons of Joseph were counted as two tribes, the sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Therefore, twelve leaders brought, twelve sets of gifts, on twelve days of dedication. This was a demonstration of unity. The Lord was pleased, therefore, the voice of the Lord spoke to Moses from above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim. The Hebrew word “Qol...voice; sound; noise...appears about 506 times in the Bible and in all periods. (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) It is this “Qol” who became flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ and dwelt among men. (Jn 1:14)
What shall I do?
I have heard of a song called the twelve days of Christmas. This text brings greater meaning to that song. For twelve days, the sons of Israel brought twelve sets of gifts in the dedication of the altar. The “Qol” that spoke to Moses above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim, became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and was publicly displayed as a mercy seat, in his blood through faith. (cf. Rom. 3:25) The voice of God became flesh and dwelt as a man, among men, to die for men, that we may be reconciled to God our creator. I shall have repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. I shall tell the world about Jesus Christ and the gift of God given to all who will receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
