Deeper Commentary
Num 28:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying-
The commands about the continual burnt offering are repeated more
frequently and in more detail in the Law of Moses than those about
anything else or any other offering. It’s as if God perceived the likely
tendency of His people to forget the regular sacrifices and focus instead
on the occasional ones; and to disregard the commands about the grain
offering, which was so small and yet so valuable to God. It is likewise
continually stressed in the legislation that these continual sacrifices
were “a pleasant aroma to Me” (:2). Spirituality is about daily
discipline, not occasional acts of devotion; hourly prayer, daily Bible
reading, constant spiritual
mindedness, rather than occasional attendance at a church meeting. When
God later asked Israel “Did you
offer unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O
house of Israel?” (Am. 5:25; Acts 7:42), the answer implied is that no,
they did not. Hence this repetition here at the end of the wilderness
journey. The whole purpose of their being given Canaan was so that they
would have an environment in which to keep God’s laws (Ps. 105:45).
Likewise with us- if we’re not interested in keeping God’s principles in
this life, there will be little point in our being given the Kingdom,
which is likewise an arena in which we can live perfectly according to His
principles.
Num 28:2 Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘My offering, My
food for My offerings made by fire of a pleasant aroma to Me, you shall
observe to offer to Me in their due season’-
Paul saw the sacrifices of Israel as having some relevance to
the Christian communion meal. He comments: "Are those who eat the victims
not in communion with the altar?" (1 Cor. 10:18); and the altar is clearly
the Lord Jesus (Heb. 13:10). Eating of the communion meal was and is,
therefore, fundamentally a statement of our fellowship with the altar, the
Lord Jesus, rather than with others who are eating of Him. The bread and
wine which we consume thus become antitypical of the Old Testament
sacrifices; and they were repeatedly described as "Yahweh's food", laid
upon the altar as "the table of Yahweh" (Lev. 21:6,8; 22:25; Num. 28:2;
Ez. 44:7,16; Mal. 1:7,12). And it has been commented: "Current
translations are inaccurate; lehem panim is the 'personal bread' of
Yahweh, just as sulhan panim (Num. 4:7) is the 'personal table' of
Yahweh". This deeply personal relationship between Yahweh and the offerer
is continued in the breaking of bread; and again, the focus is upon the
worshipper's relationship with Yahweh rather than a warning against
fellowshipping the errors of fellow worshippers through this action. What
is criticized in later Israel is the tendency to worship Yahweh
through these offerings at the same time as offering sacrifice to other
gods.
Num 28:3 You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you
shall offer to Yahweh: male lambs a year old without blemish, two day by
day, for a continual burnt offering-
No animal actually is without blemish. God recognizes that we will not
attain perfection in this life, but we are to do our best towards it; and
His love imputes righteousness to us, counting us as unblemished because
of our status in Christ. For only Christ was the sacrifice totally without
moral blemish (1 Pet. 1:19).
Num 28:4 You shall offer the one lamb in the morning and you shall offer
the other lamb at evening-
The continual sacrifice of lambs was to remind them that the Passover
deliverance through the lamb was effectively ongoing. The Passover lamb
was likewise to be a year old (Ex. 12:5). We too are to live constantly
under the impression of the Lord's sacrifice and redemption of us. Israel
were asked to use a lamb of the first year to record various times when
they should be thankful for God's redemption of them in the events which
comprise life (Lev. 9:3; 12:6; 23:12,18,19; Num. 6:12,14; 7:15,17,21;
28:3,9,11,19; 29:2,8,13). This was to continually recall to them the
events of their great redemption through the Red Sea. And the essence of
our redemption, our baptism and salvation through the blood of the lamb,
must likewise be brought ever before us.
Num 28:5 with the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a grain
offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil-
The law of Moses was not an iron law which had to be obeyed in every
context. Clearly this law (first given at Sinai at the start of their
journeys) about oil and wine being offered with the daily
sacrifices would have been practically impossible to keep during the forty
years wandering. And likewise during the time of initial conquest of
Canaan. Every day, half a hin (1.8 liters, 3.8 pints, around half
a gallon) of olive oil and the same of wine would have been required. And
this was just for the daily offerings; there were many days when more
sacrifices were offered. It was by grace that God would have overlooked
this. I suggest that it is to this which Am. 5:25 refers, challenging
Israel to remember that God had accepted them in the wilderness by grace
alone, as they were unable to keep His ideal requirements: "Did you bring
Me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness?”.
Num 28:6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in Mount
Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh-
“A pleasant aroma” is a very common phrase. This concept is important
to God. It first occurs in Gen. 8:21 where it means that God accepted
Noah's sacrifice and vowed that the pole of saving mercy in His character
was going to triumph over that of necessary judgment. Under the new
covenant, it is persons and not sacrifices or incense which are accepted
as a "pleasant aroma" (Ez. 20:41). The word for "pleasant" means strong
delight; this is how God's heart can be touched by genuine sacrifice.
Those pleasing offerings represented us, the living sacrifices (Rom.
12:1). And so it is applied to us in 2 Cor. 2:15- if we are in Christ, we
are counted as a pleasant aroma to God. The offering of ourselves to Him
is nothing of itself, but because we are in Christ and counted as Him, we
are a delight to God. Hence the colossal importance of being “in Christ”.
Num 28:7 Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one
lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh in the
holy place-
Bread (:4) and wine were effectively offered with the lamb. The
Lord's choice of symbols for the breaking of bread surely had this in
mind. They are but the side offerings, as it were, compared to the lamb.
To take bread and wine would beg the question: 'And where is the slain
lamb?'. And the answer to that at the breaking of bread is 'Here in our
midst'.
Num 28:8 The other lamb you shall offer at evening. As the grain offering
of the morning, and as the drink offering of it, you shall offer it, an
offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh-
Literally "between the two evenings", as at Passover night
(Ex. 12:6).
See on :4.
Num 28:9 On the Sabbath day two male lambs a year old without blemish, and
two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with
oil, and the drink offering of it-
This looked ahead to the unblemished character of the Lord Jesus. The
offering of sacrifices "without blemish" uses a word which is used about
Abraham and Noah being "without blemish" (AV "perfect") before God (Gen.
6:9; 17:1). Although the word is used about the sacrifices, it is really
more appropriate to persons- "you shall be perfect with Yahweh your God"
(Dt. 18:13), "serve Him in sincerity (s.w. "without blemish")" (Josh.
24:14). The idea, therefore, was that the offerer was invited to see the
animal as representative of himself. Our lives too are to be as "living
sacrifices" (Rom. 12:1). And yet in practical terms, no animal is without
blemish. They were to give the best they could, and God would count it as
without blemish; as He does with us.
David frequently uses the term in the Psalms about himself and the
"upright", even though he was far from unblemished in moral terms.
Here for the only time in the Law it is pointed out
that the Sabbath sacrifices must include a grain offering, although this
principle had been given in Num. 15:3. The theme of this chapter is that
the small offerings mustn’t be forgotten nor minimized in importance.
Num 28:10 this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, besides the
continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it-
There are great implications of the little word "besides". There was
the warning not to let the offering of other sacrifices tempt the people
to think that the "continual burnt offering" was therefore not to be taken
seriously on those days. The regular, purposeful beginning and ending of
each day with devotion to the Lord is something which nothing else should
ever displace. I was recently working with a group of fine brothers and
sisters trying to plaster and paint a house against a deadline. We worked
day and night quite literally- and afterwards confessed to each other that
in those days, our prayer and Bible reading had taken a major slip. Of
course at the time, we all told ourselves that we were about the Lord's
work... which we were. But my point is that the "continual burnt offering"
of devotional 'quiet time' with the Lord, prayer and Bible reading, really
must not slip. I challenge us to start each day with some "quiet time", to
make Him our arm every morning, to strive the harder for a more
disciplined life- with the dynamic in it all being the transfixing
experience of knowing Jesus as our finest friend, inspiring brother,
matchless Saviour, Son of God.
Num 28:11 In the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt
offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, seven male lambs a year
old without blemish-
This was to remind them that the Passover deliverance through the
lamb was effectively ongoing; see on :4. The Passover lamb was likewise to be a year
old (Ex. 12:5). We too are to live constantly under the impression of the
Lord's sacrifice and redemption of us. Israel were asked to use a lamb of
the first year to record various times when they should be thankful for
God's redemption of them in the events which comprise life (Lev. 9:3;
12:6; 23:12,18,19; Num. 6:12,14; 7:15,17,21; 28:3,9,11,19; 29:2,8,13).
This was to continually recall to them the events of their great
redemption through the Red Sea. And the essence of our redemption, our
baptism and salvation through the blood of the lamb, must likewise be
brought ever before us.
Num 28:12 and three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a
grain offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine
flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram-
The new moon festival was to effectively be a Sabbath of rest and
worship (Is. 66:23; Ez. 46:1; Am. 8:5), a time for worship and teaching of
the law (2 Kings 4:23). Most of the surrounding nations worshipped the
moon whenever there was a new moon (Dt. 4:19; Job 31:26,27; Jer. 8:2). God
saw that this was going to be part of the religious need of people at that
time, and He makes a kind of concession to that weakness and need. Israel
were to keep a new moon festival- but dedicate it to Him. We marvel at His
awareness of human needs within the cultures they live in.
Num 28:13 and a tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain
offering to every lamb; for a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an
offering made by fire to Yahweh-
Num 28:14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull,
and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for
a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of
the year-
This had only previously been required in the specific case of Ex.
29:40 but in Num. 15:10 was then made applicable to every sacrifice. After the
rejection of the people in Num. 14, God wanted them to have this extra
feature in relationship with Him. I see it that way, rather than Him as it
were punishing them with more legislation. For that was not at all the
purpose of any of His Mosaic laws.
Num 28:15 One male goat for a sin offering to Yahweh; it shall be offered
besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it-
The fact they were offering 'extra' offerings was not to take them
away from realizing their sin and need for atonement. Such reminders are
always necessary. The offering of other sacrifices was not to tempt the
people to think that the "continual burnt offering" was therefore not to
be taken seriously on those days. The regular, purposeful beginning and
ending of each day with devotion to the Lord is something which nothing
else should ever displace.
Num 28:16 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is
Yahweh’s Passover-
Num 28:17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast: seven days
shall unleavened bread be eaten-
These seven days were to recall the seven days of creation; for the
exodus was a new creation of Israel, out of the water of the Red Sea.
Num 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy gathering: you shall do no
servile work-
Work was obviously required in order to keep the Passover; the "work"
in view is therefore secular work. The repeated emphasis upon this is to
demonstrate that blessing and salvation was to be by grace and not works.
They were to cease from their own works. And this repeated lesson taught
to them is likewise taught to us in different ways.
Num 28:19 but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering
to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, and seven male lambs a year old;
they shall be to you without blemish-
No animal actually is without blemish. God recognizes that we will not
attain perfection in this life, but we are to do our best towards it; and
His love imputes righteousness to us, counting us as unblemished because
of our status in Christ. For only Christ was the sacrifice totally without
moral blemish (1 Pet. 1:19).
Num 28:20 and their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil: you shall
offer three tenth parts for a bull, and two tenth parts for the ram-
For "mixed", see on :13. One of the most obvious similarities between these
offerings and the breaking of bread is that they both feature bread and
wine, associated with a slain animal in the midst (Num. 15:9,10; 2 Sam.
6:17- 19). And further, both require the eating of the sacrifice by the
offerer. The peace offering and Passover (also typical of the memorial
meeting) featured the offerer eating the sacrifice "before the Lord". This
phrase "before the Lord" is continually emphasized in the records of the
peace offerings. I guess we would all admit that our sense of the presence
of the Father and Son at our memorial meetings has much room for
improvement. We really are "before the Lord" as we sit there. God came
unto men when they offered acceptable peace offerings (Ex. 20:24), as He
is made known to us through the breaking of bread.
Num 28:21 You shall offer a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs-
The sacrifices on each of the seven days were two young bullocks, one
ram and seven lambs for a burnt offering, with the accompanying meat
offerings, and one goat for a sin offering (Num. 28:19-24). This explains
why the Jews at the time of the Lord's death were careful about not being
defiled so that they might eat the Passover (Jn. 18:28). The reference is
not to the Passover lamb, but to these sacrifices which began the seven
day feast of unleavened bread which followed the Passover feast, which
only last one day.
Num 28:22 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you-
A goat being chosen for the sin offering tempts us to think of the
Lord's usage of sheep and goats as representing the righteous and the
sinners. The Lord Jesus, the ultimate sin offering, was in one sense the
spotless Passover lamb of God; in another sense, He was totally identified
with the goats- sinful, rejected humanity. Likewise He was represented by
the serpent lifted up on the pole.
Num 28:23 You shall offer these besides the burnt offering of the
morning, which is for a continual burnt offering-
The offering of other sacrifices was not to tempt the people to think
that the "continual burnt offering" was therefore not to be taken
seriously on those days. The regular, purposeful beginning and ending of
each day with devotion to the Lord is something which nothing else should
ever displace.
Num 28:24 In this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of
the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. It shall be
offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of
it-
It is so often stressed, both in this chapter and elsewhere, that
these continual offerings mustn’t be forgotten about at the time of the
greater festivals. See on :1.
Num 28:25 On the seventh day you shall have a holy gathering: you shall do
no servile work-
"Gathering" is LXX ekklesia. This is the word rendered
"church" in the New Testament. We could reason from this therefore that
"church" specifically refers to a gathering of God's people. At that time
and during those moments, they are a church. When the entire community of
believers is referred to as "church", this is how God views them- as if
they are all gathered together at a gathering or convocation before Him.
The word in its Biblical usage therefore doesn't refer to what we might
call a denomination or fellowship.
Num 28:26 Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new grain
offering to Yahweh in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy
gathering; you shall do no servile work-
The celebration of harvest was typically a celebration of the fruits
of human labour. But God's people were to be careful to realize that any
harvest blessings were ultimately of God and not of their labour. At the
time when every hour of the day was used to bring in the harvest, the
people were to have a break from their labours.
Num 28:27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to
Yahweh: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old-
The usual pattern for the offerings was sin offering, burnt offering
[dedication to God on the basis of being reconciled from sin] and then
peace offerings, celebrating the resultant peace with God. But here the
burnt offering comes first (:27), with the sin offering as a kind of
afterthought (:29). The idea is that the harvest must be dedicated to God
and accepted as His blessing and gift. But there was to be the awareness
that they were all sinners and this gift had been by grace.
Num 28:28 and their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenth
parts for each bull, two tenth parts for the one ram-
The continual stress upon the usage of oil [shehmen] may
look ahead to the meshiach, the Christ, the anointed one. All
aspects of the offerings looked ahead to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Num 28:29 a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs-
Frankincense was to be added to the flour (Lev. 2:1). This was a type of incense which would have given a pleasing
smell to the burning flour. This represented how pleased God was with the
offering even of a handful of flour (Lev. 2:2). Small sacrifices please Him
immensely. And they are what comprise daily life.
Num 28:30 one male goat, to make atonement for you-
See on :27. The total number of animals offered therefore comes to 13
(10 in :27, one in :30, two in :31). This perhaps refers to the 13 tribes,
including Levi.
Num 28:31 Besides the continual burnt offering, and the grain offering of
it, you shall offer them (they shall be to you without blemish), and their
drink offerings-
Every animal is blemished in some way, but they were to offer that
which in their eyes (“to you”)
was without blemish. Whilst we are to offer our best, it’s only the best
in our eyes, and is only accepted by grace.
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