A Total View Of The Special Offerings (Numbers 28:9 to Numbers 29:40).
Apart from the continual daily offerings were the special offerings. As we go through these in detail it will be noted that all follow the same general repetitive pattern within their feasts, (following the repetitive patterns given in the threefold Balaam incantations in Numbers 23:1 to Numbers 24:12), although as regards the whole burnt offerings (when all of the offering is offered up and none eaten) the number of young ox bulls offered varies. These whole burnt offerings, together with a he-goat for a purification for sin offering, were to be offered on top of the continual daily offering at all feasts, although in the regular Sabbath offerings no young ox bulls were to be offered as whole burnt offerings (Numbers 28:9-10) only two he-lambs, nor was there then a purification for sin offering. For the Sabbath offerings were also a reminder of the Passover.
But sin was not to be overlooked. A regular purification for sin offering was offered on the new moon day of each moon period, continuing throughout the year. On new moon days, each of the days of the Feast of unleavened bread, and the day of the firstfruits (the feast of sevens) the whole burnt offering was to consist of two young ox bulls, a ram and seven he-lambs, along with the he-goat for a purification for sin offering. Note that they were offered in proportion to the possessions of the whole of Israel.
Then on the day of the feasts of trumpets and the Day of Atonement in the seventh month it was to be of one young ox bull, a ram and seven he-lambs, along with the purification for sin offering. But in the case of the feast of trumpets, which was a new moon day, this would effectively mean three young ox bulls, two rams and fourteen he-lambs. In the case of the Day of Atonement the slight relaxation would serve to lay more emphasise on the purification for sin offerings and the scapegoat, while at the same time stressing that their rededication was also fully required. It was not primarily a rededication festival, even though rededication was still clearly important. And on the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles the young ox bulls offered were to vary downwards from thirteen to seven (seventy in all), along each day with two rams and fourteen he-lambs, and the he-goat for the purification for sin offering. Then on the eighth day it was to be back to one young ox bull, one ram and seven he-lambs, along with the he-goat for the purification for sin offering.
But all these were to be offered additionally to the continual daily offerings, and to the special offerings related to specific feasts, such as the he-lamb offered on the first day of unleavened bread when the sheaf of firstfruits was waved before Yahweh (Leviticus 23:12), and the special goat offerings on the Day of Atonement (Numbers 29:11; Leviticus 16:5).
Prior to this chapter in Numbers the descriptions of offerings at the feast have been limited. There was no idea of such munificence. Before this it was only at the feast of Sevens (a one day feast celebrating harvest) that mention had been made of a multiplicity of offerings, one young ox bull, two rams, seven lambs for a whole burnt offering, one goat as a purification for sin offering and two lambs as peace offerings (Leviticus 23:18). Thus it would seem probable that what was here mentioned in such abundance, mainly based on that one series offering in the year, may not have described previous practise, but have been a huge expansion, demonstrating that because through their conquests they were now to be blessed with so much more in the way of herds and flocks, more would be expected of their offerings. It was one more encouragement on the way to possessing the land and drew their attention to that blessing. Those who had freely received should now be able freely to give and note the even greater abundance that was in store for them in the land of milk and honey.
The Sabbath and New Moon Day Offerings (Numbers 28:9-15).
After the continual daily offerings we have mention of the Sabbath offerings and the new moon offerings, which were additional to the daily offerings. Two further he-lambs, together with grain and drink offerings, were to be offered on the Sabbath, further reminder of their great deliverance and their protecting God, and on every new moon day were to be offered two young ox bulls, a ram and seven he-lambs together with a goat for a purification for sin offering. Thus each seven day Sabbath and each new moon day were marked by special offerings, for each was a mark of God's goodness in bringing them safely through those periods, and in each they were to offer themselves in renewed dedication to Yahweh and His covenant.
No mention has previously been made of new moon days, and possibly this was a new celebration in view of the fact that wilderness journeying was now behind them, but it seems more probable that even prior to this new moon days were celebrated with offerings (see Numbers 10:10). The truth is that it was probably only the munificence of the offering that was new.
We may not today make offerings such as these, but we too on each seventh day, and at the beginning of each month (as well as daily), should recognise that all our time belongs to God, and that we should rededicate ourselves and make the best use of our time for His glory (Ephesians 5:16). For one day time will cease and then what will matter will be what we accomplished for Him with what we had.
Analysis of Numbers 28:9-15.
a The offering of two he-lambs on the sabbath as a whole burnt offering ‘besides the continual whole burnt offering and the drink offering thereof' (Numbers 28:9-10).
b Every new moon day a whole burnt offering of two ox bulls and a ram and seven he-lambs to be offered to Yahweh (Numbers 28:11).
c The grain offering to be offered for the two young ox bulls and the ram and the seven he-lambs (Numbers 28:12-13).
c The drink offering to be offered for ox bulls, ram and lambs (Numbers 28:14 a).
b This is the whole burnt offering to be offered every new moon throughout the year (Numbers 28:14 b).
a The offering of one he-goat as a purification for sin offering ‘besides the continual whole burnt offering and the drink offering thereof' (Numbers 28:15).
The Special Sabbath Day Offerings (Numbers 28:9-10).
“ And on the sabbath day two he-lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mingled with oil, and its drink-offering,”
Every seventh day was a Sabbath. Each such seventh day was a holy day, for it had been appointed by Yahweh as a day of rest on which no work must be done, both as a reminder of His work in creation (Exodus 20:11) and in His work of deliverance from servitude in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). It is doubtful if they thought in terms of ‘weeks' as we do. That would be an idea which would gradually arise. But it was still very significant. For this seven day period was the only time period not fixed by the sun and the moon. It went on in its familiar pattern regardless of the activities of the heavens. It was ordained by Yahweh from heaven itself. And it represented to them the divine perfection of the passing of their time, and was a continual reminder that in contrast to the nations, they were subject to Yahweh in their daily lives, and not dependent on sun, moon and stars. It was a reminder also that in the end all were finally equal in His sight, for all rested equally on His day. It evidenced the fact that all time was in His hands.
So on this holy day two extra year old he-lambs without blemish were to be offered, together with their grain and drink offerings, an act of double dedication because of the holiness of the day. And on this day all who lived in the camp, and all who would later live in the land must abstain from all work on the Sabbath day, from the highest to the lowest, as they contemplated the wonder of His ways, and His constant provision, and rededicated themselves to Him (compare Isaiah 58:13-14). We may sometimes see the Sabbath restrictions as tiresome. To the weary slaves and servants it would be seen as heaven sent. In Israel none could compel them to work on that day.
“ This is the whole burnt offering of every sabbath, besides the continual whole burnt offering, and its drink-offering.”
This was the whole burnt offering of the Sabbath, the offering that ‘went up' to Yahweh every Sabbath, and was additional to the normal daily offering.
The lesson for us is that every seventh day (it does not finally matter which day we choose as long as we are consistent - Romans 14:5-6), it can be helpful for us too to make our renewed dedication to God and bring Him our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, although Paul stresses that some prefer to do this every day (Romans 14:5).