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Commentary on Numbers 28 verses 1–8
Here is, I. A general order given concerning the offerings of the Lord, which were to be brought in their season, Num 28:2. These laws are here given afresh, not because the observance of them was wholly disused during their thirty-eight years' wandering in the wilderness (we cannot think that they were so long without any public worship, but that at least the daily lamb was offered morning and evening, and doubled on the sabbath day; so bishop Patrick conjectures); but that many of the sacrifices were then omitted is plainly intimated, Amo 5:25, quoted by Stephen, Act 7:42. Did you offer unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? It is implied, "No, you did not." But, whether the course of sacrifices had been interrupted or no, God saw fit now to repeat the law of sacrifices, 1. Because this was a new generation of men, that were most of them unborn when the former laws were given; therefore, that they might be left without excuse, they have not only these laws written, to be read to them, but again repeated from God himself, and put into a less compass and a plainer method. 2. Because they were now entering upon war, and might be tempted to think that while they were engaged in that they should be excused from offering sacrifices. Inter arma silent leges - law is little regarded amidst the clash of arms. No, says God, my bread for my sacrifices even now shall you observe to offer, and that in the due season. They were peculiarly concerned to keep their peace with God when they were at war with their enemies. In the wilderness they were solitary, and quite separate from all other people, and therefore there they needed not so much their distinguishing badges, nor would their omission of sacrifices be so scandalous as when they came into Canaan, when they mingled with other people. 3. Because possession was now to be given them of the land of promise, that land flowing with milk and honey, where they would have plenty of all good things. "Now" (says God), "When you are feasting yourselves, forget not to offer the bread of your God." Canaan was given to them upon this condition, that they should observe God's statutes, Psa 105:44, Psa 105:45.
II. The particular law of the daily sacrifice, a lamb in the morning and a lamb in the evening, which, for the constancy of it as duly as the day came, is called a continual burnt-offering (Num 28:3), which intimates that when we are bidden to pray always, and to pray without ceasing, it is intended that at least every morning and every evening we offer up our solemn prayers and praises to God. This is said to be ordained in Mount Sinai (Num 28:6), when the other laws were given. The institution of it we have, Exo 29:38. Nothing is here added in the repetition of the law, but that the wine to be poured out in the drink-offering is ordered to be strong wine (Num 28:7), the riches and most generous and best-bodied wine they could get. Though it was to be poured out upon the altar, and not drunk (they therefore might be ready to think the worst would serve to be so thrown away), yet God requires the strongest, to teach us to serve God with the best we have. The wine must be strong (says Ainsworth) because it was a figure of the blood of Christ, the memorial of which is still left to the church in wine, and of the blood of the martyrs, which was poured out as a drink-offering upon the sacrifice and service of our faith, Phi 2:17.
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SUMMARY
Numbers 28:6 meticulously describes the olah tamid, the continual burnt offering, a cornerstone of Israel's divinely mandated worship. This daily sacrifice, involving two lambs offered each morning and evening, was specifically ordained by God at Mount Sinai. It served as an enduring symbol of the nation's unwavering dedication to the Lord, a perpetual reminder of His covenant faithfulness, and a vital means of maintaining fellowship, offered by fire as a "sweet savour" to the LORD, signifying His divine acceptance and pleasure.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Legal/Prescriptive Language, a hallmark of the Pentateuch's legislative sections. It is a direct, declarative statement outlining a divine command, emphasizing the precise nature of worship God requires from His covenant people. The phrase "a sweet savour" functions as Anthropomorphism, attributing a human sensory experience (smell) to God to convey His acceptance and pleasure. This is a common biblical device to make divine realities comprehensible to human understanding. Furthermore, the entire concept of the burnt offering, particularly its consumption by fire, is rich in Symbolism. The ascending smoke symbolizes the offering's dedication to God and the worshiper's prayers rising to Him, while the fire itself symbolizes purification, divine presence, and the complete consumption of the offering as an act of surrender and atonement. The "continual" aspect also points to Repetition as a key element of the ritual, reinforcing its importance and the constant nature of Israel's relationship with God and their ongoing need for His provision.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The continual burnt offering, as described in Numbers 28:6, serves as a profound theological statement about God's holiness, humanity's pervasive sinfulness, and the divinely appointed means of reconciliation. It underscores the truth that God is utterly holy and cannot tolerate sin in His presence, yet in His boundless grace, He provides a way for His people to approach Him and maintain fellowship. The daily repetition of this offering emphasized the persistent reality of sin in the human condition and the constant, ongoing need for atonement, while simultaneously serving as a perpetual reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and His provision for His people. This offering was not merely a ritualistic act but a tangible expression of Israel's dependence on God, their repentance, and their fervent desire for unbroken fellowship. It powerfully prefigured the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that would one day fully and finally satisfy God's righteous demands, transforming the very nature of worship and access to God for all time.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, including the continual burnt offering, are no longer binding for believers today due to the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives. Numbers 28:6 challenges us to consider the nature of our own devotion. The "continual" aspect of the offering calls us to a life of consistent, unwavering commitment to God, not through ritual sacrifice, but through daily spiritual disciplines: persistent prayer, diligent study of God's Word, and intentional obedience. Our lives are to be "living sacrifices," offered continually in worship and service, reflecting a heart wholly dedicated to the Lord. The concept of a "sweet savour" reminds us that God desires not just our actions, but our hearts—worship offered in spirit and truth, motivated by love and gratitude, is what truly pleases Him. This verse encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of perpetual awareness of God's presence and a constant desire to honor Him in every aspect of our lives, recognizing that our worship is a continuous act of surrender and gratitude for His grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the "continual burnt offering" so important to the Israelites?
Answer: The continual burnt offering (Hebrew: olah tamid) was of paramount importance because it served as the foundational and most frequent act of public worship for the nation of Israel. Ordained by God Himself at Mount Sinai, it symbolized the nation's constant dedication to God and their perpetual need for atonement. Offered twice daily, every single day of the year, it was a constant reminder of God's covenant with His people, His holiness, and His provision for their sins. It ensured that a channel of communication and reconciliation remained open between God and Israel, maintaining the purity and sanctity of their relationship. Without this daily offering, the entire system of worship and fellowship would have been compromised, as it represented the ongoing covering for the nation's unintentional sins and a continuous expression of their devotion and surrender to Yahweh.
What does "sweet savour" mean in the context of Old Testament sacrifices?
Answer: In the context of Old Testament sacrifices, "sweet savour" (Hebrew: reah nihoah) signifies God's acceptance and pleasure regarding the offering. It's an anthropomorphic expression, meaning that the sacrifice, when offered according to God's precise commands and with the right heart attitude, was pleasing and satisfactory to Him. It did not refer to a literal pleasant smell, but rather that the act of obedience, faith, and atonement represented by the sacrifice was agreeable to God, bringing Him "rest" or contentment. This concept is seen throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 1:9), indicating that the offering successfully achieved its purpose of reconciliation and worship, allowing God's holy presence to remain among His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The continual burnt offering of Numbers 28:6, with its daily repetition and emphasis on being a "sweet savour" to the Lord, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrifices, though divinely commanded, were inherently incomplete, serving as a shadow of the reality to come, unable to truly take away sins (as illuminated in Hebrews 10:1-4). Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, offered Himself once for all time, a single, perfect sacrifice that eternally atones for sin and completely satisfies God's righteous demands. His offering was not merely a "sweet savour" but the very essence of divine pleasure, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (as described in Ephesians 5:2). Unlike the daily, unending need for the olah tamid, Christ's sacrifice on the cross was a finished work, rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete because He "sat down at the right hand of God, having offered one sacrifice for sins forever" (Hebrews 10:12). Through His precious blood, believers now have direct and continual access to God, not through the smoke of a burning altar, but through the living and abiding reality of His perfect atonement, enabling us to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service that are truly pleasing to God (1 Peter 2:5).