Bird's-eye view
In this section of Numbers, the Lord is giving Moses a detailed liturgy for the nation of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This is not a dry list of regulations; it is the rhythmic pulse of a nation's worship. God is establishing a calendar of grace. The daily, weekly, and in this passage, monthly sacrifices, are all designed to keep Israel in a state of constant dependence and gratitude before Him. The sheer number and quality of the offerings underscore the immense cost of sin and the lavish nature of God's provision. This chapter serves as a reminder that true worship is not spontaneous or self-invented but is a response to God's explicit commands, offered in His prescribed way. Every element, from the type of animal to the measure of flour, points forward to the one perfect sacrifice that would fulfill them all, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The monthly offering at the beginning of each new moon was a significant event. It was a time to reset the clock, to remember God's faithfulness through the cycles of time. The offerings were substantial, far exceeding the daily requirements, signifying a heightened moment of consecration. The combination of burnt offerings for consecration, grain and drink offerings for fellowship and joy, and a sin offering for atonement, presents a complete picture of what it means to approach a holy God. It is a gospel tableau in miniature, showing that our total dedication (burnt offering) is only possible because our sin has been dealt with (sin offering), and the result is joyful communion with God (grain and drink offerings).
Outline
- 1. The Liturgical Calendar of Israel (Num 28:1-29:40)
- a. The Continual Burnt Offering (Num 28:1-8)
- b. The Sabbath Offering (Num 28:9-10)
- c. The Monthly Offerings (Num 28:11-15)
- i. The Burnt Offering for the New Moon (Num 28:11)
- ii. The Accompanying Grain Offerings (Num 28:12-13)
- iii. The Accompanying Drink Offerings (Num 28:14)
- iv. The Sin Offering for the New Moon (Num 28:15)
Context In Numbers
Chapters 28 and 29 come at a crucial juncture in the book of Numbers. The rebellious generation has died off in the wilderness, and a new generation stands on the plains of Moab, poised to enter Canaan. Before the conquest begins, God reiterates and organizes the laws of sacrifice. This is not just a repetition of Leviticus; it is a confirmation of the covenant for the new generation. They are about to engage in warfare, but their success will not depend on military might. It will depend on their faithfulness in worship. God is teaching them that the life of the covenant community revolves around the altar. Before they can possess the land, they must be possessed by a rhythm of worship. The placement of these detailed instructions here emphasizes that right worship is the foundation for a rightly ordered society and the prerequisite for victory.
Key Issues
- The Rhythm of Grace
- The New Moon and Covenant Time
- The Sufficiency of Christ in Types
- Worship as Warfare
- Key Word Study: Rosh Chodesh, "Beginning of the Month"
- Key Word Study: Olah, "Burnt Offering"
- Key Word Study: Chattath, "Sin Offering"
Commentary
11 ‘Then at the beginning of each of your months you shall bring near a burnt offering to Yahweh: two bulls from the herd and one ram, seven male lambs one year old without blemish;
The "beginning of each of your months," or the new moon, was a marker of time in God's created order. By tying this significant offering to the lunar cycle, God was sanctifying the calendar. Time belongs to Him, and the beginning of each new period was to be consecrated to Him. This was not just about marking time, but about acknowledging the Lord of time. The offering itself is a burnt offering, an olah, which means "that which ascends." This was an offering of total dedication, wholly consumed on the altar. It represented the complete surrender of the worshiper to God. The animals specified are significant. Two bulls, representing strength and service. One ram, representing leadership and consecration. And seven male lambs, a perfect number, representing the covenant people in their entirety. That they must be "without blemish" is a constant refrain, pointing relentlessly to the flawless perfection of the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish (1 Pet. 1:19).
12 and three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, for each bull; and two-tenths of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, for the one ram;
Every burnt offering was to be accompanied by a grain offering and a drink offering. Worship is not a grim duty; it involves fellowship and feasting. The grain offering, made of fine flour, represents the worshiper's substance, the work of his hands. It is "fine flour," the best, not the leftovers. This is mixed with oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, joy, and consecration. The offering is sanctified and made rich by the Spirit. Notice the proportions: the amount of flour corresponds to the size and value of the animal. Three-tenths for the powerful bull, two-tenths for the ram. God is a God of order, and His requirements are specific. This is not arbitrary; it teaches that our offering of ourselves (the animal) and our substance (the grain) must be given in proper proportion, acknowledging the greatness of the one to whom we offer it.
13 and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering for each lamb, for a burnt offering of a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to Yahweh.
The pattern continues with the seven lambs, each accompanied by its own grain offering. A tenth of an ephah for each. This is a picture of God's people, each one bringing his own consecrated life and substance before the Lord. The purpose of all this is stated clearly: it is "a burnt offering of a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to Yahweh." The aroma was pleasing to God not because He delights in the smell of burning flesh, but because He delights in the faith, obedience, and heartfelt repentance that the sacrifice represented. It was a picture of a restored relationship. The fire of the altar consumes the offering, and the smoke ascends to God as a sign of acceptance. This entire ritual was a tangible sermon, preaching the gospel in smoke and fire. It was a pleasing aroma because it pointed to the ultimate pleasing aroma of Christ's sacrifice, who "gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph. 5:2).
14 And their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull and a third of a hin for the ram and a fourth of a hin for a lamb; this is the burnt offering of each month throughout the months of the year.
The drink offering, or libation, was poured out at the altar. It was an offering of wine, a symbol of joy and celebration. Think of the Psalmist who says God gives "wine to gladden the heart of man" (Ps. 104:15). This joy is not kept for oneself but is poured out before the Lord in an act of worship. Again, the proportions are specified, corresponding to the animal. This joy is not a vague sentiment; it is a measured, disciplined, and costly joy offered to God. This offering of poured-out wine is a beautiful type of Christ, whose blood was poured out for us. He is the source of our true joy, and in the Lord's Supper, we drink the wine that remembers the blood of the covenant. The verse concludes by emphasizing the regular, rhythmic nature of this worship: "this is the burnt offering of each month throughout the months of the year." Faithfulness is not found in sporadic bursts of enthusiasm but in the steady, month-by-month rhythm of obedience.
15 And one male goat for a sin offering to Yahweh; it shall be offered with its drink offering in addition to the continual burnt offering.
This final verse is crucial. After the lavish burnt offerings of consecration and the grain and drink offerings of fellowship, there is a sin offering, a chattath. A male goat is brought to make atonement. This reminds us of a fundamental truth: we cannot consecrate ourselves to God, nor can we have fellowship with Him, until the issue of our sin is dealt with. Sin must be atoned for. The goat, as a substitute, bears the sin of the people. This offering stands "in addition to the continual burnt offering," the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the morning and evening. This teaches that even in our most dedicated moments of worship, at the height of our monthly celebration, we are still sinners in need of a sacrifice. There is never a moment when we graduate from our need for the cross. Our access to God is always and only through the shed blood of a substitute. The sin offering clears the way for the burnt offering to be accepted. Atonement is the foundation upon which all true worship is built. Without it, our attempts at consecration are just smoke, and not a soothing aroma at all.