Numbers 28 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
If this chapter looks familiar, you have been reading the Bible. You may find it helpful to understand repetitious sections by asking what is different, why is it placed here, and is anything added or removed when compared to previous sections? You probably already do that when you read the Bible; especially the Old Testament since we do notice considerable repetition.
As one reads the secondary literature, commentaries for example, we do not also find uniform reasons for repetition. But it is always good to ask questions of the text and wrestle with implications. You will find similar discussions about sacrifices in Ex 29:38-41; Leviticus 1-7; 23; and Numbers 15. Wenham suggests the theme of Numbers 28-29 is, “it (chapters 28-29’s central concern) prescribes the type and number of sacrifices that must be offered on every day of the year by priests for the nation as a whole” (Wenham p. 219). When we read Leviticus, the emphasis was on the participation and obligation of the laypeople. Here the concern is the priests and gives us almost a schedule of sacrifices.
But we may also ask, why is this section included here? Why not group all discussions about sacrifices in one section of the book? Here are some suggested reasons:
Knobel – laws were given because Israel would soon be in the promised land.
Rosenmuller – Israel would soon acquire cattle from the Midianites (chapter 31) to carry out these laws.
- Dennis Cole – agrees with Wenham quoting him, “Here again the giving of these laws acts as a strong affirmation of the promise to Joshua and the rest of the people. Every year in the future the priests will have to sacrifice 113 bulls, 32 rams, and 1,086 lambs and offer more than a ton of flour and a thousand bottles of oil and wine. Clearly Israel is destined to be a prosperous agricultural community. These laws about sacrifices then contribute to the note of triumph that grows louder as the border of Canaan is reached” (Wenham p. 220).
You have probably noticed the frequency of the sacrifices. 28:2-8 are daily sacrifices; vs. 9-10 are weekly; vs. 11-15 are monthly sacrifices; then vs. 16-38 the once a year are arranged chronologically.
One observation you might have realized if you have been reading in Leviticus and now Numbers is that God cares very much how we worship and regulates those who worship Him. I have heard all my life comments like, “I worship God the way I want to worship God” or “I think you can worship God in a variety of ways” or “I don’t think you need to go to church to worship God.” I wonder what would have happened to a Hebrew who said that after reading this chapter. Would Moses say, “Just do whatever you want. We are good with that.” Would God say, “As long as you are sincere that is what counts?” Of course not.
Worship is central to the Christian life because God is central. People in heaven are not doing good works or reaching their neighbor for Christ. They are lost in worship. Since their entire life on earth centered around worship, they love doing the same in heaven.
And as there is no more sacrifices now, there will not be any in heaven. But they will worship the One who gave the greatest Sacrifice of all. They will worship the Lamb. “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Rev 7:10). They will worship Him because everyone in heaven will understand the true glory and outlandish grace we find in the cross. No one will ever bore of the cross or tire of gazing on the beauty of Jesus. Oh, what awaits those who know and love Christ.
Reflecting on our worship, we need to allow the Word of God to reform and regulate our worship. We must guard against any creeping idolatry or nonbiblical forms of worship or even attitudes that dishonor our Lord. We are Reformed and always reforming.
One of the books I am reading had this sentence about Revelation, “The theology of Revelation is highly theocentric. This, along with its distinctive doctrine of God, is its greatest contribution to New Testament theology. Our study of it must begin with God and will both constantly and finally return to God” The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham p. 23. The first sentence struck me. One could also write, ‘The theology of worship is highly theocentric. Our study (or practice) of it must begin with God and will both constantly and finally return to God.’
If these daily readings, if attending church, if your life does not lead you to God ask God right now to bring you to Himself. He is all that matters. He is the King of the universe. Don’t gamble that you might be forgiven. Know for certain. Know that you know Him, the Giver of Life.
Oh, heavenly Father, You are in the highest heaven and everyone in heaven worships You. Your glory is above anything we can think or imagine. Thank You that we no longer must sacrifice animals and offer oil and other food to You. Give us more grace so we better understand the cross and embrace the Savior who died there for us. May our worship of You be daily, weekly, monthly so the rhythm of lives is one of worship. We worship the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! In Christ’s name. Amen.