Giving up and giving…..

In Leviticus, we heard a lot about how to bring offerings to the Lord. In Numbers Chapter 6, we see how an Israelite – man or woman – can make that offering/vow count more. Think Sobertober (or whatever it was called) and Movember rolled into one……giving up all alcohol and products from the vine and giving up cutting hair – these are the essential abstentions of the Nazirite vow.

Giving something up proves how serious we are about a cause. Christians traditionally give up chocolate and other luxuries during Lent to prepare themselves for the most important time in the Church calendar, Easter. Individuals give up alcohol or shaving to raise money for a charity close to their heart. People of faith go without food for a day (fast) when they wish to pray earnestly about an important subject.

What have we been prepared to give up or do without to show how much we care?

The Nazirite had to remain pure for the duration of his/her vow and was not allowed near a dead body, even if it was a close relative. If someone dropped dead in his/her presence, then the vow became void and he/she would have to cleanse themselves and start again. When the period of separation was over, the individual would bring their offerings to the Tent of Meeting and there shave their head. The hair would go into the fire under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering. When all this was done, this is how the individual would be blessed by the priest –

‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.’  Numbers 6:24-26

The words of this blessing are still used by Christian leaders today, particularly in the Baptism Service. Fortunately, because of Jesus, we no longer have to fulfil the Nazirite vow to receive this blessing!

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.

The Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”  Numbers 7:1-5

Wow! Such generosity! And spontaneous at that. This offering from the leaders was above and beyond requirements. Practical, thoughtful, unselfish…….the perfect gifts.

What have we been prepared to give to show how much we care?

The next section reads like ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for

“Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”  Numbers 7:11

So on the {insert number} day, {insert name} son of {insert father’s name}, the leader of the people of {insert tribe} brought his offering.  His offering was {insert specific list of items. An identical list. }. This was the offering of {insert name} son of {insert father’s name}.

Times twelve.

At the end of Chapter 7, all these offerings are totaled up. The scene is set. Everything is ready.

 When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.  Numbers 7:89

Now God will speak.

Just because today we don’t have a specific list of offerings to present before God and we don’t have to perform the Nazirite vow does not mean that we should come before God unprepared and empty-handed. The reason for this is two-fold, I believe. God needs us to share in His work by giving of our time and resources and skills. This may not be a specific role within a church or a job in a caring profession, but we can all be ready all of the time to give of what we are and have as the situation we find ourselves in requires. Each individual ever created has a role to play in making the world a better place. What we give matters. What we do is significant.

Secondly, preparing ourselves and being prepared shows us and others and God how much we care. Pitching up at the last minute with a head full of stuff and expecting God to speak to us is not the best way. That’s why ceremony and ritual have been so important over the years – because the time and care involved helps the individual and community prepare their hearts for what is to come.

Of course, pitching up at the last minute with a head full of stuff is better than not pitching up at all. I remember standing outside church in tears once when the kids were small. The rows and stresses involved in getting five kids up and out had left me drained and exhausted and ashamed and I didn’t feel like I could show my face in church. The very wise and very wonderful Revd Ann Black appeared at my side and said ‘You may not feel ready or able to worship God right now, but just showing up for you this morning is an act of worship in itself.’  So sometimes that is as good as it gets. Just showing up is the best we can do. I still arrive late pretty much every week because a Jordan is a sensitive creature, not easily rushed and getting a Jordan to church in a co-operative mood a few minutes late is better than being on time with a sulky Jordan or worse still, with no Jordan at all.

You know your situation. You know how to best prepare yourself for an encounter with God.

How do we prepare ourselves to show how much we care?

May the Lord bless you; May the Lord keep you; May the Lord turn His face to you and give you peace and show you grace.

For a lovely simple version of this blessing using sign language, click here.