Numbers 28: Offerings and Festivals: A Renewed Commitment
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.
And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the Lord; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even;
And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.
It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.
And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the Lord for a drink offering.
And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;
And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.
And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the Lord shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the Lord.
And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein:
But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram;
A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.
Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.
After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.
Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the Lord, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the Lord; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;
And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,
A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
Numbers 28 provides a detailed review of the offerings and festivals God commanded Israel to observe. As the new generation prepared to enter the Promised Land, these instructions served as a vital reminder of God's expectations and their covenant relationship with Him. These meticulously prescribed offerings, whether daily, weekly, monthly, or annually, served as a "pleasing aroma to the Lord" (Numbers 28:2), emphasizing the importance of consistent and heartfelt worship.
Daily Burnt Offerings (Numbers 28:1-8)
The chapter begins with the daily burnt offerings, a cornerstone of Israel's worship (Numbers 28:3-8). These sacrifices consisted of one lamb in the morning and another at twilight, accompanied by specific grain and drink offerings. These daily rituals were not mere routine; they were a constant reminder of God's presence and provision. The burnt offerings, as established at Sinai (Exodus 29:42-46), symbolized God's willingness to dwell among His people, to fellowship with them, and to be their God. They were a tangible expression of atonement, highlighting the immense offense sin causes God and the necessity of blood sacrifice to restore fellowship.
Sabbath Offerings (Numbers 28:9-10)
Beyond the daily sacrifices, Numbers 28:9-10 outlines the regulations for the weekly Sabbath offerings. These involved an entirely new set of animal, grain, and drink offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offerings for that day. The Sabbath offerings underscored the sanctity of the Sabbath day and the importance of setting aside time specifically for worship and rest. The detailed nature of these requirements served as a potent reminder that worship is not cheap or easy. God desires our best, not our leftovers. Sadly, many believers today offer their leftover time, talents, and resources to the same God who has always demanded the first and best from His people.
Monthly Offerings (Numbers 28:11-15)
The offerings required on the first day of each month, known as the New Moon festivals (Numbers 28:11-15), took Israel's worship requirements to another level. These festive occasions involved the presentation of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, along with enhanced grain and drink offerings. A male goat was also sacrificed as a sin offering, demonstrating the ongoing need for atonement.
Passover Offerings (Numbers 28:16-25)
Numbers 28:16-25 details the offerings associated with Passover, the holy festival commemorating Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. Celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month, Passover involved eating unleavened bread for seven days, mirroring the haste with which their ancestors left Egypt. Like the New Moon festivals, Passover required substantial offerings, offered daily for seven days (Numbers 28:17-22, 24), in addition to the regular daily burnt offering (Numbers 28:23). These sacrifices served as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive power and His faithfulness to His promises.
Feast of Firstfruits/Pentecost (Numbers 28:26-31)
The chapter concludes with instructions for the Feast of Firstfruits, also known as the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost (Numbers 28:26-31), occurring fifty days after Passover. This harvest festival, like the New Moon observances, required special offerings. While not explicitly stated here, the people were also to bring the firstfruits of their fields to celebrate, anticipating the day they would possess the Promised Land and establish themselves there.
Numbers 28, therefore, isn't just a list of rules, but a call to consistent, heartfelt worship, reminding us that God desires our best and that He is faithful to His promises. It underscores the importance of remembering God's deliverance, celebrating His provision, and offering Him our first and best in every area of our lives.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.
And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the Lord; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even;
And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.
It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.
And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the Lord for a drink offering.
And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;
And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.
And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the Lord shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the Lord.
And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein:
But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram;
A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.
Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.
After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.
Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the Lord, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the Lord; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;
And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,
A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
Numbers 28 provides a detailed review of the offerings and festivals God commanded Israel to observe. As the new generation prepared to enter the Promised Land, these instructions served as a vital reminder of God's expectations and their covenant relationship with Him. These meticulously prescribed offerings, whether daily, weekly, monthly, or annually, served as a "pleasing aroma to the Lord" (Numbers 28:2), emphasizing the importance of consistent and heartfelt worship.
Daily Burnt Offerings (Numbers 28:1-8)
The chapter begins with the daily burnt offerings, a cornerstone of Israel's worship (Numbers 28:3-8). These sacrifices consisted of one lamb in the morning and another at twilight, accompanied by specific grain and drink offerings. These daily rituals were not mere routine; they were a constant reminder of God's presence and provision. The burnt offerings, as established at Sinai (Exodus 29:42-46), symbolized God's willingness to dwell among His people, to fellowship with them, and to be their God. They were a tangible expression of atonement, highlighting the immense offense sin causes God and the necessity of blood sacrifice to restore fellowship.
Sabbath Offerings (Numbers 28:9-10)
Beyond the daily sacrifices, Numbers 28:9-10 outlines the regulations for the weekly Sabbath offerings. These involved an entirely new set of animal, grain, and drink offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offerings for that day. The Sabbath offerings underscored the sanctity of the Sabbath day and the importance of setting aside time specifically for worship and rest. The detailed nature of these requirements served as a potent reminder that worship is not cheap or easy. God desires our best, not our leftovers. Sadly, many believers today offer their leftover time, talents, and resources to the same God who has always demanded the first and best from His people.
Monthly Offerings (Numbers 28:11-15)
The offerings required on the first day of each month, known as the New Moon festivals (Numbers 28:11-15), took Israel's worship requirements to another level. These festive occasions involved the presentation of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, along with enhanced grain and drink offerings. A male goat was also sacrificed as a sin offering, demonstrating the ongoing need for atonement.
Passover Offerings (Numbers 28:16-25)
Numbers 28:16-25 details the offerings associated with Passover, the holy festival commemorating Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. Celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month, Passover involved eating unleavened bread for seven days, mirroring the haste with which their ancestors left Egypt. Like the New Moon festivals, Passover required substantial offerings, offered daily for seven days (Numbers 28:17-22, 24), in addition to the regular daily burnt offering (Numbers 28:23). These sacrifices served as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive power and His faithfulness to His promises.
Feast of Firstfruits/Pentecost (Numbers 28:26-31)
The chapter concludes with instructions for the Feast of Firstfruits, also known as the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost (Numbers 28:26-31), occurring fifty days after Passover. This harvest festival, like the New Moon observances, required special offerings. While not explicitly stated here, the people were also to bring the firstfruits of their fields to celebrate, anticipating the day they would possess the Promised Land and establish themselves there.
Numbers 28, therefore, isn't just a list of rules, but a call to consistent, heartfelt worship, reminding us that God desires our best and that He is faithful to His promises. It underscores the importance of remembering God's deliverance, celebrating His provision, and offering Him our first and best in every area of our lives.