Special Times

O. T. #355  "Special Times"
Sept. 2, 2014
Numbers 28-29
These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. Numbers 29:39

LET IT GLOW

We have special times in our family. The month of November has always been special to us. We had our first date in November, then got married the following year in the same month. Another year later our firstborn daughter came. Also, our daughter in law's birthday is in the same month. Not to mention my mother, sister in law, and nephew all have birthdays in November. Now you can see why it a significant month.
Of course, I could say the same thing about May. Our son, son in law, and grandson all have a birthday in May. Also, both of our children got married then.

Were there special times for Israel? Yes.

Instructions concerning regular celebrations in Israel's worship calendar had been given previously. Now, poised to enter the land, Moses gave an orderly reiteration and summary of the regular offerings for each time of celebration , adding some additional offerings.  (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Liberty Bible Commentary explains:
 In chapters 28 and 29, we see an amplification of Leviticus 23, but it is also unique in that it gives for each festival a specific date and definite quantity for each sacrifice on that date. Ezekiel 45-46 is the only other Old Testament list of specific amounts for special days and festivals.

Here are the offerings:

1. Daily Offerings-each day with 2 lambs. (verses 3-8)
2. Sabbath Offerings-each 7th day with 2 lambs. (verses 9-10)
3. New Moon Offerings-1st of each month with 2 young bullocks, 1 ram, 7 lambs, 1 kid of goats. (verses 11-15)
4. Passover-14th day of the 1st month (no animal sacrifice listed here). (verse 16)
5. Unleavened Bread-days 15-21st of first month with 2 young bullocks, 1 ram, 7 lambs, 1 goat. (verses17-25)
6. Feast of Weeks-(no date given); 2 young bullocks, 1 ram, 7 lambs, 1 kid of goats. (verses 26-31)
7. Feast of Trumpets-7th month on 1st day with same offerings as #6. (Nu. 29:1-6)
8. Day of Atonement-7th month on 10th day with same offerings as #6. (Nu.29:7-11)
9. Feast of Booths-7th month on 15-22nd days, with specific offerings on each day (Nu. 29:12-38)

The total number of animal sacrifices included: 105 lambs, 15 rams, 71 bulls, and 8 goats.

Does your family have special dates or days in which they celebrate?


LET IT GROW

As Christians, we worship on Sunday, the first day of the week like the believers in the book of Acts did. Also, we are told to remember Jesus' resurrection, so we celebrate Easter. Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb of God. We do not offer the animal sacrifices as the Jews did in the Old Testament sacrificial system. We are under grace, not the Levitical laws.
We have so much for which to thank the Lord!
God has an appointed time that He will send Jesus to get His children and we will all be caught up in the air with Him. What a day that will be! Our God is an awesome God!!! He reigns with wisdom, power, and love.


LET IT GO

Love God and surrender to Him.

Share the salvation story with others.

Thank the Lord Jesus for His grace and love.