Numbers
chapter 28 provides an overview of all of the sacrifices required by
the Israelites. The chapter begins with the daily offering. “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. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning,
the other lamb you shall offer in the evening… grain offering mixed
with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil. ‘It is
a
regular burnt offering which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a sweet
aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord“.
Remember,
the Burnt Offering was an atonement for sin. Not just daily, but
twice daily. What a powerful reminder to us that we should not only
come before the Lord daily, but we should seek His forgiveness each
time in order for our prayers to be a sweet aroma to God.
“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; this is
the
burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt
offering with its drink offering.”
All of the sacrifices were explained in detail in Leviticus. This
was not a detached donation; it was a somber time of reflection and
active participation by the offerer. These offerings are both bloody
and costly, and we are nowhere near finished yet. “On
the first of every month, present to the Lord a burnt offering of two
young bulls, a ram and seven male lambs… a grain offering… mixed
with oil…a drink offering of wine… an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
Besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male
goat is to be presented to the Lord as a sin offering.”
Some of us are tempted to say, this is a waste, or even cruel to the
poor animals, ENOUGH ALREADY! But these sacrifices were necessary to
force that stubborn people to see the extent of their sin. So many
of us walk around today oblivious to how far we have fallen from
God’s perfection. “But
those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins”
(Hebrews 10:4).
“On
the fourteenth day of the first month, the Lord’s Passover is to be
held…. For seven days eat bread made without yeast… present 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… a
grain offering mixed with oil… include a male goat as a sin
offering to make atonement… in addition to the regular morning
burnt offering.”
And finally, during the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), another offering
of bulls, ram, lambs and goat “as
an aroma pleasing to the Lord“.
Now we can appreciate the words of the writer of Hebrews chapter 10;
“It
is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…
We have been made holy through the body of Jesus Christ once and for
all… by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are
being made holy.”
Now there is only one place to receive forgiveness and that is the
foot of the cross. Through this New Covenant, God declares, “I
will remember their sins no more”
(Jeremiah 31:34). Amen!