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Matthew Henry's Commentary
he people were numbered, orders given for the dividing of the land, and a general of the forces nominated and commissioned,
one would have expected that the next chapter should begin the history of the campaign, or at least should give us an account
of the ordinances of war; no, it contains the ordinances of worship, and provides that now, as they were on the point of entering
Canaan, they should be sure to take their religion along with them, and not forget this, in the prosecution of their wars
(v. 1, v. 2). The laws are here repeated and summed up concerning the sacrifices that were to be offered, I. Daily (v.
3-8). II. Weekly (v. 9, v. 10). III. Monthly (v. 11-15). IV. Yearly. 1. At the passover (v. 16-25). At pentecost (v. 26-31).
And the next chapter is concerning the annual solemnities of the seventh month.
Verses
1-8 Here is, I. A general order given concerning the offerings of the Lord, which were to be brought in their
season, v. 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, Amos v. 25, quoted by Stephen, Acts. 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, Ps. 105:44, Ps. 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 (v. 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 (v. 6), when the other laws were given. The institution
of it we have, Ex. 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 (v. 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,
Phil. 2:17 . Verses 9-15 The new moons and the sabbaths are often spoken
of together, as great solemnities in the Jewish church, very comfortable to the saints then, and typical of gospel grace.
Now we have here the sacrifices appointed, 1. For the sabbaths. Every sabbath day the offering must be doubled; besides the
two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning
sacrifice, and the other to the evening, v. 9, v. 10. This teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the
duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in order to a more close application to the sabbath work, which
ought to fill up sabbath time. In Ezekiel’s temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath offerings were
to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings, and drink-offerings (Eze. 46:4, Eze. 46:5 ), to intimate not only the
continuance, but the advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days of the Messiah. This is the burnt-offering of
the sabbath in his sabbath, so it is in the original, v. 10. We must do every sabbath day’s work in its
day, studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time as those that believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one sabbath’s
work to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the service thereof. 2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the sabbath
was kept with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new moons were sanctified with an eye to the divine providence,
which appoints the moon for seasons, guiding the revolutions of time by its changes, and governing sublunary
bodies (as many think) by its influences. Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we must not forget to give God
the glory of all the precious things put forth by the moon which he has established for ever, a faithful witness in heaven,
Ps. 89:37 . The offerings in the new moons were very considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the meat-offerings
and drink-offerings that were to attend them (v. 11, etc.), besides a sin-offering, v. 15. For, when we give glory to God
by confessing his mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by confessing our own sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts
of common providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the fountain and spring-head
of our joy. Some have questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their feasts; but why should they not, when,
besides the special sacrifices which were then to be offered, they rested from servile works (Amos. 8:5 ), blew the trumpets
ch. 10:10 ), and went to the prophets to hear the word? 2 Ki. 4:23 . And the worship performed in the new moons is
made typical of gospel solemnities, Isa. 66:23 . Verses 16-31 Here is,
I. The appointment of the pass-over sacrifices; not that which was the chief, the paschal lamb (sufficient instructions had
formerly been given concerning that), but those which were to be offered upon the seven days of unleavened bread, which followed
it, v. 17-25. The first and last of those seven days were to be sanctified as sabbaths, by a holy rest and a holy convocation,
and on each of the seven days they were to be liberal in their sacrifices, in token of their great and constant thankfulness
for their deliverance out of Egypt: Two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs. A gospel conversation, in gratitude
for Christ our passover who was sacrificed, is called the keeping of this feast (1 Co. 5:8 ); for it is
not enough that we purge out the leavened bread of malice and wickedness, but we must offer the bread of our
God, even the sacrifice of praise, continually, and continue herein unto the end. 2. The sacrifices are likewise
appointed which were to be offered at the feast of pentecost, here called the day of the first-fruits, v.
26. In the feast of unleavened bread they offered a sheaf of their first-fruits of barley (which with them was first
ripe) to the priest (Lev. 23:10 ), as an introduction to the harvest; but now, about seven weeks after, they were to bring
a new meat-offering to the Lord, at the end of harvest, in thankfulness to God, who had not only given, but preserved
to their use, the kindly fruits of the earth, so as that in due time they did enjoy them. It was at this feast
that the Spirit was poured out (Acts. 2:1 , etc.), and thousands were converted by the preaching of the apostles,
and were presented to Christ, to be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. The sacrifice that was to be offered
with the loaves of the first-fruits was appointed, Lev. 23:18 . But over and above, besides that and besides the daily offerings,
they were to offer two bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs, with a kid for a sin-offering, v. 27-30. When
God sows plentifully upon us he expects to reap accordingly from us. Bishop Patrick observes that no peace-offerings
are appointed in this chapter, which were chiefly for the benefit of the offerers, and therefore in them they were left more
to themselves; but burnt-offerings were purely for the honour of God, were confessions of his dominion, and typified
evangelical piety and devotion, by which the soul is wholly offered up to God in the flames of holy love; and sin-offerings
were typical of Christ’s sacrifice of himself, by which we and our services are perfected and sanctified
David Burnette's Life Application Worship Through Giving
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making
an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue
the book of Numbers with Chapter 28 and in today's text we see the Lord
gives instruction to Moses about the offerings. Daily, Sabbath, Monthly, Unleavened bread, and First fruits are instructed
in our text today as the Lord shows us how to prepare ourselves for Worship. Following these rituals took time and gave the
people time to prepare their hearts for worship. In making application we too should follow the Scriptures on our tithes and
offerings. Each gift allows us to prepare our hearts for worship as we give as the Bible directs. We are to seek the
Lord on special gifts for Missions and the Needy too . As in our text today our offerings remind who who God is and what He
has done for us. How about you? Do you see the Worship in your giving? Let us learn from today's text and Worship through
our Giving.
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Numbers 28 1And
the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2Command
the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto
me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. 3And
thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year
without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4The
one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; 5And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth
part of an hin of beaten oil. 6It is a continual
burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 7And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one
lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. 8And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning,
and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 9And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth
deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: 10This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering,
and his drink offering. 11And in the beginnings
of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year
without spot; 12And three tenth deals of flour
for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil,
for one ram; 13And a several tenth deal of
flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire
unto the LORD. 14And their drink offerings
shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb:
this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual
burnt offering, and his drink offering. 16And
in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. 17And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
18In the first day shall be an holy convocation;
ye shall do no manner of servile work therein: 19But
ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs
of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish: 20And
their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals
for a ram; 21A several tenth deal shalt thou
offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 22And
one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you. 23Ye
shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of
the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and
his drink offering. 25And on the seventh day
ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work. 26Also
in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an
holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27But
ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first
year; 28And their meat offering of flour mingled
with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering,
(they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
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