Day 66 – Numbers 28-30

Talking Points

• The instructions for sacrifices and festivals are given again, this time before the Israelites move into the land of Canaan. God instructs the people, “You shall be careful to present My offering” (28:2). The daily, weekly, monthly, and special offerings and feasts are described in slow and exacting fashion.
• Some of the offerings are to seek atonement for sin. Others are to express thankfulness to God for His blessing. All were done in honor of God.
• So many of God’s created, innocent animals were killed as a stark reminder of the consequence of sin. Their shed blood made it impossible to make light of the people’s transgressions. Today, we take sin lightly, excusing it, glossing over it, and sometimes even joking about it. God, forgive us.

Thoughts

With the people bound to this strict schedule of offerings, sacrifices, and feasts, their lives were marked by the required consideration of God. As each observance was carried out, they were made ever-aware of their sin and of God’s grace and provision for sinners. Monthly, weekly, and daily, God’s system resulted in His people living in regard of Him.

In Ephesians 5:2, the Bible says Jesus’ death on the cross was an “offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” We know it was the perfect and final sacrifice which results in our redemption, in our atonement. We also know it wasn’t an animal that was sacrificed; it was our Lord Jesus. Today, the feasts and festivals have ceased — we are no longer required to keep them. But, shouldn’t we, more than all people of all times, live in regard of God? Shouldn’t we be ever-mindful of our sins and of God’s grace and provision for sinners? How could we not live in daily thankfulness for the blessings of God and, most of all, for the atonement made on our behalf?

Lord, forgive us when we have failed, and please help us be people living in high regard of You.