Read Numbers 28-29 & Mark 9:1-29
To discover:
As you read see if you can recall the significance of the
different offerings and festivals.
To ponder:
This is no mindless repetition. These instructions were first
given to Israel
forty years previously (see comment on Ex 29:38-43, Lev 1-7, 23, Num 15). By
reiterating them, the LORD reminds the people how necessary it is to make
atonement and remember him if they are to endure his presence as they enter the
land. Fulfilling his purpose the sacrifices keep them aware that he “is the
LORD” (Ex 29v45-46), and offered him praise.
A lamb is
to be given as a burnt offering (reflecting devotion) every morning and evening
with two more every Sabbath day, and two bulls, one ram and seven male lambs
“on the first of every month,” with a male goat as a sin offering (for
unintentional sin) too. The different animals may represent priests, leaders
and everyday Israelites respectively (Lev 4). The monthly sacrifices were
offered on every one of the seven days of unleavened bread (which began with
the Passover). Held in March/April, this marked the beginning of the year with
remembrance of Israel’s
birth through the Exodus. The same were also offered seven weeks (50 days)
later on the feast of weeks (Pentecost) that ended the grain harvest,
remembering and thanking God for his provision of the land.
This endless repeating of so many
offerings marking the passing of days, weeks, months, and years, all stressed how
deep and persistent Israel’s sin was, how necessary atonement was for her
continued enjoyment of God’s presence, and the fact that “it is impossible for
the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb 10v4). By contrast Christ
offers himself once “for all time” before sitting down at the right hand of
God. So by his one sacrifice “he has made perfect for ever those who are being
made holy” (Heb 10v11-14).
The seventh month
(September/October) was a key one. It began with the sounding of trumpets,
summoning the people and calling on God to remember them (10:1-10). On the
tenth day the High Priest would enter the holy of holies to deal with all Israel’s
unintentional sin (Heb 9v7). The beginning and end of the feasts of unleavened
bread and tabernacles, and the feast of weeks, and trumpets were all “sacred
assemblies” when the people should refrain from work. In other words, they were
to remember the LORD as on the Sabbath. But on the day of atonement they were
to “deny” themselves too, suggesting repentance for sin, perhaps by fasting. On
this day and the feast of trumpets the same monthly offerings were given, but
with only one bull. Five days later the feast of tabernacles (booths or
ingathering) takes place for seven days marking the absolute end of harvest, recalling
and celebrating God’s provision. On day one thirteen bulls, two rams and
fourteen lambs were offered, and the same each day but with the bulls reduced
by one. On the eighth day the same offerings as the feast of trumpets and day
of atonement were given. The sheer amount of sacrifices so soon after the day
of atonement spoke of how abundantly God had blessed Israel
despite her sin, and so provided what she was to offer back to him. They would
have vividly heightened Israel’s
awareness of God dwelling with her.
Just as
Pentecost and Tabernacles span the harvest, so they point to the church age
from Pentecost to the final harvest, in which God is gathering in his people. Indeed,
as with Israel,
the end will be marked with a trumpet blast (1 Thess 4v16). Do we work as hard
in our evangelism as the Israelites would have in harvesting their crops?
Praying it home:
Thank God for including you and the Christans you know in
his harvest. Pray you would all be hard working in now being harvesters.
Thinking further:
None today.
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