Numbers 28 The Blessing of Jacob

1 Daily Offerings
The Lord said to Moses,

2 “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me.’

3 Say to them: ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to present to the Lord: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day.

4 Prepare one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,

5 together with a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives.

6 This is the regular burnt offering instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire.

7 The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the Lord at the sanctuary.

8 Prepare the second lamb at twilight, along with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering that you prepare in the morning. This is an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

9 Sabbath Offerings
“‘On the Sabbath day, make an offering of two lambs a year old without defect, together with its drink offering and a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil.

10 This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

11 Monthly Offerings
“‘On the first of every month, present to the Lord a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.

12 With each bull there is to be a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; with the ram, a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil;

13 and with each lamb, a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil. This is for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire.

14 With each bull there is to be a drink offering of half a hin of wine; with the ram, a third of a hin; and with each lamb, a quarter of a hin. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon during the year.

15 Besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the Lord as a sin offering.

16 The Passover
“‘On the fourteenth day of the first month the Lord’s Passover is to be held.

17 On the fifteenth day of this month there is to be a festival; for seven days eat bread made without yeast.

18 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.

19 Present to the Lord an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.

20 With each bull prepare a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths;

21 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.

22 Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.

23 Prepare these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering.

24 In this way prepare the food for the offering made by fire every day for seven days as an aroma pleasing to the Lord; it is to be prepared in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

25 On the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.

26 Feast of Weeks
“‘On the day of firstfruits, when you present to the Lord an offering of new grain during the Feast of Weeks, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.

27 Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

28 With each bull there is to be a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths;

29 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.

30 Include one male goat to make atonement for you.

31 Prepare these together with their drink offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering. Be sure the animals are without defect.

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Analysis of Numbers Chapter 28

The twenty-eighth chapter of the Book of Numbers functions as a detailed guide for the Israelites regarding the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual offerings that were to be made to God. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a continuous and consistent relationship with the divine through a well-structured system of sacrifices and offerings. This analysis will explore each section of the chapter, providing detailed explanations and interpretations to illuminate the theological, ritual, and symbolic aspects of these instructions.

Overview and Structure

Numbers 28 can be divided into several sections based on the type of offerings:

Daily Offerings (Numbers 28:1-8)
Sabbath Offerings (Numbers 28:9-10)
Monthly Offerings (Numbers 28:11-15)
Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread Offerings (Numbers 28:16-25)
Offering on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) (Numbers 28:26-31)

We’ll explore each of these sections below:

Daily Offerings (Numbers 28:1-8)

In verses 1-8, God instructs Moses about the daily offerings that the priests are to make. The daily offering consists primarily of two lambs, one in the morning and one at twilight, accompanied by a grain offering and a drink offering.

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the people of Israel and say to them, My offering, my food for my offerings by fire, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.’” (Numbers 28:1-2)

This continuous burnt offering is a reminder of Israel’s need for regular atonement and communal access to God. The term “pleasing aroma” signifies that these offerings are acceptable and delightful to God. It reflects Israel’s obedience and devotion, and assures God’s presence among them.

Additionally, the grain offering mixed with oil is significant for its representation of the sustenance and blessings provided by God, incorporating the fruits of the earth. Similarly, the drink offering (usually wine) symbolizes pouring out oneself in dedication to God. These offerings are a comprehensive way to show everyday devotion and reliance on the divine for both spiritual and physical nourishment.

Sabbath Offerings (Numbers 28:9-10)

The Sabbath offerings, detailed in verses 9-10, are additional to the daily burnt offerings. They consist of two lambs along with grain and drink offerings, all without blemish.

“On the sabbath day: two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering” (Numbers 28:9)

Sabbath, being a day of rest and worship, calls for an enhanced degree of offering and dedication. The dual set of sacrifices underscores the sanctity of the Sabbath and the importance of ceasing regular activities to focus on God. The perfection required in the lambs symbolizes the perfect rest and holiness that the Sabbath embodies, reflective of God’s rest after creation.

Monthly Offerings (Numbers 28:11-15)

Verses 11-15 lay out the instructions for the offerings on the first day of each month, also known as the New Moon offerings. These include two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs, supplemented with grain and drink offerings, as well as a male goat for a sin offering.

“At the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD: two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish” (Numbers 28:11)

New Moon celebrations are significant as they mark the commencement of a new month and are often associated with renewal and new beginnings. The increased number of animals for the New Moon offering indicates the month’s importance and the need for Israel to seek renewed favor and forgiveness as they transition into a new phase. This ritual reflects an ongoing cycle of repentance, renewal, and commitment to God, allowing for consistent spiritual rejuvenation.

Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread Offerings (Numbers 28:16-25)

In verses 16-25, instructions for offerings during Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are given. Passover commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread signifies their haste to depart, leaving no time for the bread to rise.

“On the fifteenth day of this month is a feast. Seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work” (Numbers 28:17-18)

During this period, the offerings are an extension of the daily and Sabbath offerings, but with specific emphasis on remembrance and thanksgiving. The same offering pattern occurs for seven days, symbolizing completeness and the fullness of God’s deliverance. The prescribed offerings include two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs each day, emphasizing the significance of this commemorative period. The unblemished nature of these sacrifices signifies the purity required for atonement and thanksgiving.

Offering on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) (Numbers 28:26-31)

The final section (verses 26-31) details the offerings for the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost. This feast takes place fifty days after the Passover and marks the end of the grain harvest, a time of great rejoicing and thankfulness for the agricultural blessings.

“On the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a grain offering of new grain to the LORD at your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work” (Numbers 28:26)

Here, the offerings include two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs, along with grain and drink offerings. The emphasis on the day of the firstfruits highlights themes of thanksgiving and dedication of the first and best of one’s produce to God. The addition of a sin offering, a male goat, signifies the need for atonement and purification before celebrating the blessings received. This ritual underscores that all blessings, including the harvest, are gifts from God and should be honored with gratitude and recognition of God’s sovereignty.

Interpretive Themes and Theological Insights

This meticulous system of offerings and sacrifices serves several key theological and spiritual functions:

Recognition of God’s Holiness: The demand for unblemished sacrificial animals and the detailed instructions emphasize the sacredness of God and the importance of approaching Him with the utmost reverence and purity.
Continuous Worship and Remembrance: The daily, weekly, monthly, and annual cycles of sacrifices ensure that the Israelites remain in a constant state of worship, remembrance, and connection with God. This ritual structure integrates faith into everyday life, making worship an ongoing and integral part of their existence.
Symbol of Atonement and Fellowship: These offerings symbolize the people’s recognition of their sins and need for atonement, while also reinforcing communal identity and fellowship with God. They ensure that the community regularly acknowledges their dependence on divine grace and forgiveness.
Gratitude and Dependence: Regular offerings (especially during feasts like the Passover and Pentecost) serve as expressions of gratitude for God’s providence and blessings. They remind the people of their reliance on God’s provision and continuous care.

In conclusion, Numbers 28 provides a detailed and structured approach to worship through sacrifices, emphasizing the need for regular atonement, continuous remembrance of God’s works, and deep gratitude for His blessings. This chapter underscores the significance of maintaining a robust, habitual, and heartfelt connection with God, not only during festivals but on a daily, continual basis. Through these offerings, the Israelites are reminded that their relationship with God permeates every aspect of their lives, ensuring that their spiritual obligations are consistently fulfilled with sincerity and devotion.

Understanding the Key Messages in Numbers 28: Insights and Explanation

In this chapter, Jacob blesses his twelve sons before his death. He speaks words of prophecy and inheritance over each son, foretelling the future of their tribes. The blessings reveal the character and destiny of each son and provide insight into the future of Israel.