Read Numbers 29
The Festival of Trumpets
29 “‘On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets. 2 As an aroma pleasing to the Lord, offer a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. 3 With the bull offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil; with the ram, two-tenths; 4 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.5 Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. 6 These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and drink offerings as specified. They are food offerings presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma.
The Day of Atonement
7 “‘On the tenth day of this seventh month hold a sacred assembly. You must deny yourselves and do no work. 8 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lorda burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. 9 With the bull offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths; 10 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth. 11 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering for atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
The Festival of Tabernacles
12 “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days.13 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 14 With each of the thirteen bulls offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with each of the two rams, two-tenths; 15 and with each of the fourteen lambs, one-tenth. 16 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
17 “‘On the second day offer twelve young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 18 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.19 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
20 “‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 21 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.22 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
23 “‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 24 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.25 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
26 “‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 27 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.28 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
29 “‘On the sixth day offer eight bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 30 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.31 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
32 “‘On the seventh day offer seven bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 33 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.34 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
35 “‘On the eighth day hold a closing special assembly and do no regular work. 36 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of one bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. 37 With the bull, the ram and the lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 38 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
39 “‘In addition to what you vow and your freewill offerings, offer these to the Lord at your appointed festivals: your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings.’”
40 Moses told the Israelites all that the Lord commanded him.
Go Deeper
There’s no question that this chapter is (at times) hard to follow with the specific instruction of sacrifice. To properly understand the importance of this chapter it is important to remember that sacrifice isn’t considered regular “work” but it is considered worship. Sacrifice was required by the Lord to remind the Israelites of His continual plan of provision, and He never required a sacrifice He didn’t provide for.
In verse seven we read about the offerings for the Day of Atonement. While this looks similar to the sacrifice before and following in this chapter of Numbers, this instruction was not to prepare for a happy feast. The Day of Atonement was a day to carefully consider the burden of sin. As we continue in verse 12 we see instruction for an even bigger sacrifice celebrating The Feast of Tabernacles in memorial and celebration of God’s faithfulness to Israel throughout the Exodus. In The Bible Recap Tara-Leigh Cobble says, “The sacrifice of so many animals was a demonstration of the richness of God’s provision to them throughout the wilderness.”
All of this instruction was essential for the Israelites as they were on the threshold of the Promised Land. They needed a reminder of responsibility and the need for sacrifice. Looking at the numbers referenced in this passage, it’s helpful for us to stop and ask ourselves how much do we sacrifice for the Lord? If we’re not careful, we can live with such a consumer’s mindset and miss out on the call to live sacrificially.
Thinking back to Numbers 28 we learn about the sabbath again, emphasizing its level of importance. Sabbath can also be considered a sacrifice, as it is a sacrifice of time to rest and refocus on the Lord. Another way we can experience sacrifice today is through financial giving, or giving up something of this world to follow the Lord. This chapter of Numbers humbly reminds us that while Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and died on our behalf, we can still hold the riches and blessings the Lord has given loosely in reverence and awe of him. We can remember that sacrifice helps us remember God’s provision and helps us trust Him on a deeper level.
Questions
- How are you practicing sacrifice in your life?
- Is there something the Lord could be prompting you to sacrifice to draw nearer to Him?
- How does reading about sacrifice in the Old Testament stir your affection for Jesus?
Did You KNow?
In the Enduring Word commentary David Guzik says, “For Israel to obey what God commanded in Numbers 28-29, it meant that every year, the priests sacrificed 1,086 lambs, 113 bulls, 32 rams, more than a ton of flour, and some 1,000 bottles of oil and wine on behalf of the nation.”
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4 thoughts on “Numbers 29”
Our sacrifices may look totally different than those we read about today, but let’s not miss the truth that we GET to participate in offering of our selves, surrendering our time, treasures and all we hold dear in expressing our love and gratitude to God. Paul in Romans 12:1 gives us this directive, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” When we rightly see what Christ has done for us, anything we surrender becomes an act of worship and adoration to holy God. What is in our hands that we are tightly clutching that we need to release today? All to Jesus I surrender.
Amen, amen, amen!
“As an aroma pleasing to the Lord . . .”
My sacrifices (small they may be) = worship.
Got it!
What do I give back to God as an act of sacrifice? I am sad to say I ask for more than I give. BUT GOD wants me even though I am not perfect. He was showing the Israelites that He would provide, He did. He was showing them what He requires for Him to be lifted up. Now He is showing us what He expects each day of us, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 And this is what He expects for us in this day, in these minutes, for a sacrifice. US! To glorify Him, for Him to be high and lifted up as we cry Holy Holy Holy is the Lord!!!!
God thank You for the sacrifice the You made for me. Thank You for Jesus!!! Thank You that even though I do not always sacrifice myself as I should, I ask for forgiveness. Help me to see what I need to do, say, think and be for a sacrifice that is a sweet smelling savor for YOU!!! in Jesus name amen
Woohoo!!
We are redeemed people in a fallen world. We, as Ella shared, GET to give ourselves to Christ as a living sacrifice and to live out our faith every day. It is our personal responsibility.
Holy Spirit, renew my mind that I may be truly transformed. In Jesus name, Amen.