Is Obedience Dull? (Numbers 7)

Numbers chapter 7 is 89 verses long. Twelve times in this passage, the following text is repeated:

his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a 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, and five male lambs a year old.

At the end of the chapter, there is a summary in which God gives us the same information, totaled, in only 5 verses.

As I’m reading this chapter, I first think to myself that this is dull or boring. Then it hits me: IF this stuff is boring to me, it’s my fault. God is not bored with this information. Even when the identical offering is presented again and again over twelve consecutive days, God is not bored. He is actually pleased with the monotony. This is not because God is uncreative—far from it—, instead, it is because God is pleased when things are done correctly. Obedience pleases God far, far more than creativity. Right worship when offered in accord with God’s commands never bores God.

While I’m not suggesting that we should be come intentionally dull, I do think that there is something to learn here. If we are bored in our worship services because we are doing the same old thing week after week after week, the problem is not with God or with the worship service. IF we are bored with singing songs of praise to our God, with hearing his word, with participating in communion, with giving, with praying, and with whatever else God has commanded, we are the ones with the problem.

Lord, would you fill us with such delight in your presence that we never again would dare to think that regular worship is boring. We want to please you. Our goal is your glory. Let us be overjoyed with the opportunity to offer you praise and to follow you faithfully. Let us remember that obedience is our greatest joy.