DBG - February 25 - Numbers 27-29

This chapter contains inheritance laws and the appointment of Joshua as successor to Moses.

vs. 1-4 – A man named Zelophehad (“first-born”), had died in the wilderness wanderings.  He had five daughters and no sons.  His daughters requested that they should inherit their father’s portion of land in Canaan. 

vs. 5-11 – God gives to Moses a system for determining who would inherit family land once they were in Canaan.  The solution abounds with grace and mercy, not just for Zelophehad’s daughters, but for many families that faced losing their tracts of land.  The order of inheritance went first to son, then to daughter, then to brothers, then to uncles, then to the nearest kinsmen. 

vs. 12-23 – Moses’ time grows short as the time to enter the Promised Land nears.  God has barred him from entering after the incident where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it in Chapter 20.  Moses is to appoint Joshua as his successor and consecrate the choice with the blessing of the High Priest.

In this chapter we have directions for daily offerings in the Tabernacle and those required on special days.

vs. 1-8 – Instructions for the daily offerings in the Tabernacle.  One lamb was offered in the morning and a second lamb in the evening.  These were accompanied by a meat offering of 1/10 ephah (2 quarts) of flour and ¼ hin (1 quart) oil, and a drink offering of ¼ hin (1 quart) of wine.  This matches the requirements in Chapter 15.

vs. 9-10 – Instructions for sabbath offerings.  Two more lambs were offered in addition to the daily offerings, doubling the sacrifices made at morning and evening.

vs. 11-15 – Instructions for monthly offerings.  At the first appearance of the sliver of the New Moon the start of a new month was proclaimed.  On this day, additional burnt offerings of two bullocks, one ram, seven lambs were made with their associated meal and drink offerings.  Also a goat is offered as a sin offering.

vs. 16-25 – Instructions for the offerings during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  During the seven days additional daily burnt offerings of two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs were made, along with a goat for a sin offering.  All the associated meal and drink offerings were of course attached.

vs. 26-31 – Instructions for the Pentecost offerings.  Additional burnt offerings of two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs were made, along with a goat for a sin offering.  All the associated meal and drink offerings were of course attached.

In this chapter we continue the directions for daily sacrifices in the Tabernacle on special days.

vs. 1-6 – Instructions for offerings on the Feast of Trumpets.  These are done in addition to the regular daily and monthly sacrifices.  Here are offered as burnt offerings on bull, one ram, and seven lambs, and a goat for a sin offering.  All the associated meal and drink offerings were of course attached.

vs. 7-11 - Instructions for offerings on the Day of Atonement.  Here are offered as burnt offerings on bull, one ram, and seven lambs, and a goat for a sin offering.  All the associated meal and drink offerings were of course attached.

vs. 12-38 – Instructions for offering during the Feast of Tabernacles.  These have varied requirements for each day of the feast.  Here are the daily offerings, which of course were offered with their associated meal and drink offerings.

·       Day One – burnt offerings of 13 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Two – burnt offerings of 12 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Three – burnt offerings of 11 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Four – burnt offerings of 10 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Five – burnt offerings of 9 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Six – burnt offerings of 8 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Seven – burnt offerings of 7 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

·       Day Eight - burnt offerings of 1 bull, 1 ram, and 7 lambs, and a sin offering of a goat.

As to why the number of bulls changed each day and the eighth day differed from the previous seven, A.C. Gaebelein writes that it pictures the Millennial Kingdom of Christ:

“In all there are 70 bullocks, 14 rams, 98 lambs, and 7 goats. And besides these there were the daily burnt offerings and meal offerings. Why this detail in Numbers? And why should the feast of tabernacles begin on the first day with 13 bullocks and there be a gradual decline? As we learned in Leviticus, the feast of tabernacles the last of the feasts, foreshadows the millennium. The character of the millennium will therefore help us to understand some, at least, of the typical meaning of these offerings. The large number of offerings, especially the double seven in the lambs, which are offered, stand for the praise which Jehovah will receive during the age to come. But it is not perfect praise. The number thirteen on the first day is an incomplete number. It lacks one to make it perfect. And then we see that the number decreases from thirteen down to seven on the seventh day of the feast. The millennium, as we know from Revelation (chapter 20), ends in failure. There will be most likely a decline in devotion to God and full obedience to His will. A look at the above table shows that there is something which mars. The goats, only one each day, are for sin offering, for sin will be possible during the millennium, however, it will be very exceptional. The twice fourteen lambs means fulness of redemption which will be enjoyed unhindered in the coming age. The eighth day has the same offerings as the day of atonement. The eighth day in Scripture marks a new beginning; it is the day of the new creation. Following the feast, the eighth day stands for eternity. The precious work of Christ will never be forgotten in the ages to come.”

It is easy to get lost in the details of the hundreds of offerings made in the Tabernacle.  I want to highlight the DAILY aspect of these offerings.  There was not a day when an burnt offering was not made.  There were some days where a great many were offered.  So is our life.  Christianity is not just for holidays, it is for the every day.  Everyday we must offer ours lives and selves to God as commanded in Romans 12:1-2.

Our hymn today is the beautiful “Day by Day”.  It was originally written in Swedish by Carolina Sandell after she witnessed her father drown in 1858.  Andrew Skoog’s translation is the most common.  It is a wonderful reminder of God’s daily care for us as we walk with Him.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.