Numbers 28

Numbers 28 focuses on the various offerings the Israelites were to bring to the Lord at specific times. It begins with daily offerings and then moves on to Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, and annual festival offerings. This chapter emphasizes the importance of continual worship and devotion to God through sacrifices.

Numbers 28:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time.'"

God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites on the importance of offering sacrifices at the appointed times. These offerings, described as a "sweet aroma" to God, symbolize the people's worship, devotion, and acknowledgment of God’s provision. The phrase “be careful to offer” indicates the seriousness of following the prescribed rituals. It reinforces the need for consistency in worship and obedience to God's commandments.

Numbers 28:3-4 (NKJV)
3 And you shall say to them, 'This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs in their first year without blemish, day by day, as a regular burnt offering.
4 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening.'

The daily burnt offering involves the sacrifice of two unblemished male lambs each day: one in the morning and one in the evening. This continual offering reminds the Israelites of their constant dependence on God. The unblemished lamb represents purity and the need for perfection in what is offered to God. The morning and evening sacrifice emphasizes that worship is a daily, ongoing act, rather than something that only happens occasionally.

Numbers 28:5 (NKJV)
5 and one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil.

In addition to the lambs, the grain offering consists of fine flour mixed with oil. The flour symbolizes the sustenance God provides, and the oil often represents the Holy Spirit or anointing. Offering both the animal sacrifice and the grain reminds the Israelites that their entire livelihood comes from God and that every part of their lives should be dedicated to Him.

Numbers 28:6 (NKJV)
6 It is a regular burnt offering which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

This verse connects the daily offerings to the covenant established at Mount Sinai, reminding the Israelites that these sacrifices were not arbitrary but were part of the long-standing agreement between them and God. The "sweet aroma" shows God’s pleasure in their obedience and worship. It reinforces that worship practices are meant to honor the covenant with God.

Numbers 28:7 (NKJV)
7 And its drink offering shall be one-fourth of a hin for each lamb; in a holy place you shall pour out the drink to the Lord as an offering.

The drink offering, which consists of wine, is poured out to God as part of the sacrifice. This act of pouring wine symbolizes the complete devotion and surrender of the people to God. It adds to the overall sense of gratitude and submission in their worship practices. The drink offering, combined with the burnt and grain offerings, presents a complete picture of worship.

Numbers 28:8 (NKJV)
8 The other lamb you shall offer in the evening; as the morning grain offering and its drink offering, you shall offer it as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

The evening offering mirrors the morning offering, reinforcing the idea of continual, daily worship. The repeated nature of the offerings demonstrates the constancy of the Israelites' devotion and the unceasing nature of their relationship with God. Every day begins and ends with acknowledging God’s sovereignty and grace.

Numbers 28:9-10 (NKJV)
9 'And on the Sabbath day two lambs in their first year, without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, with its drink offering—
10 This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering.'

The Sabbath offering differs from the daily offering by requiring two lambs instead of one, emphasizing the sacredness of the Sabbath. The extra offering on this day signifies the heightened holiness and rest associated with the Sabbath. It is an opportunity for the people to offer more to God, acknowledging His role as the Creator who commanded them to rest and worship on this day.

Numbers 28:11-14 (NKJV)
11 'At the beginnings of your months you shall present a burnt offering to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year, without blemish;
12 three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram;
13 and one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for each lamb, as a burnt offering of sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.
14 Their drink offering shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, one-third of a hin for a ram, and one-fourth of a hin for a lamb; this is the burnt offering for each month throughout the months of the year.'

At the start of each month, the Israelites are instructed to offer a more significant burnt offering, involving multiple animals. The bulls, ram, and lambs, all without blemish, indicate the importance of the monthly renewal of dedication to God. Each type of animal comes with specific grain and drink offerings, symbolizing the completeness of the offering. The larger offering at the new moon marks the beginning of a new period of time dedicated to God, emphasizing His lordship over all seasons.

Numbers 28:15 (NKJV)
15 Also one kid of the goats as a sin offering to the Lord shall be offered, besides the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

In addition to the burnt offerings for the start of the month, a sin offering is required. The inclusion of the kid goat as a sin offering symbolizes atonement for any unintentional sins or impurities. This reinforces the idea that regular worship involves not just thanksgiving but also the acknowledgment of sin and the need for forgiveness, even during these monthly celebrations.

Numbers 28:16-17 (NKJV)
16 'On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the Lord.
17 And on the fifteenth day of this month is the feast; unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days.'

These verses refer to the annual celebration of Passover, which commemorates God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Passover begins on the fourteenth day of the first month, followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread starting on the fifteenth day and lasting for seven days. The focus on unleavened bread serves as a reminder of the haste with which Israel left Egypt, and it symbolizes purity and separation from sin.

Numbers 28:18-19 (NKJV)
18 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work.
19 And you shall present an offering made by fire as a burnt offering to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year. Be sure they are without blemish.

The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a sacred assembly, during which no regular work is done. It is a day set aside for worship and offering to the Lord. The offering includes two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs, all without blemish. The emphasis on the animals being without defect reflects the perfection God requires in worship.

Numbers 28:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Their grain offering shall be of fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah you shall offer for a bull and two-tenths for a ram;
21 You shall offer one-tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs.

Along with the burnt offerings, grain offerings are to be presented. The fine flour mixed with oil represents the best of their crops, which they offer back to God in gratitude. The specific measurements for the bulls, rams, and lambs ensure that the Israelites are precise and intentional in their offerings, reflecting God’s order and the value of each offering.

Numbers 28:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Also one goat as a sin offering, to make atonement for you.
23 You shall offer these besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a regular burnt offering.

A sin offering is also required during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The goat serves as a reminder that, even during festive times, atonement for sin is still necessary. This sin offering, along with the regular daily offerings, ensures that the Israelites maintain a sense of repentance and purification in their relationship with God.

Numbers 28:24-25 (NKJV)
24 In this manner you shall offer the food of the offering made by fire daily for seven days, as a sweet aroma to the Lord; it shall be offered besides the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
25 And on the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work.

For the seven days of the Feast, offerings are made daily in addition to the regular burnt offerings. This continual act of worship is described as a "sweet aroma" to the Lord, symbolizing God's pleasure in their obedience. The seventh day is another sacred assembly where no work is done, marking the conclusion of the feast with a special focus on rest and worship.

Numbers 28:26 (NKJV)
26 Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new grain offering to the Lord at your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work.

The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, celebrates the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. This day is marked by a sacred assembly, and no regular work is to be done. The new grain offering symbolizes gratitude for God's provision of the harvest and serves as a reminder of His ongoing care for His people. This feast also looks forward to the giving of the Holy Spirit in later biblical history.

Numbers 28:27-29 (NKJV)
27 You shall present a burnt offering as a sweet aroma to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year,
28 with their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the one ram,
29 and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs.

During the Feast of Weeks, the offerings follow a similar pattern to the other festivals. Two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs, along with specific grain offerings, are presented to the Lord. These offerings symbolize both thanksgiving for God's provision and the people's acknowledgment of His sovereignty over their lives. Each animal is without blemish, showing the requirement for perfection in their offerings.

Numbers 28:30-31 (NKJV)
30 Also one kid of the goats, to make atonement for you.
31 Be sure they are without blemish. You shall present them with their drink offerings, besides the regular burnt offering with its grain offering.

A sin offering of a goat is again required, emphasizing the need for atonement alongside thanksgiving. This underscores that, even during times of celebration and abundance, the need for forgiveness and purification remains essential. The offerings must be without blemish, ensuring that only the best is presented to God. These are offered in addition to the regular daily offerings, showing the completeness of their worship.