The list of regular offerings and Feasts is a bit overwhelming. Israel’s calendar was filled to say the least. There were daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, and Passover offerings. There was the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. In other words, every day sacrifice and worship were taking place. Why so many?
First, there was a need for daily offering and sacrifice because sins were committed every day that needed atonement. Imagine the number of sins that would build up from 1 million people over a 24 hour period! The constant committing of sin required a constant flow of sacrifices at the Tabernacle.
Second, there were so many wonderful, miraculous events that should not be forgotten! Each feast represented a special occasion in Israel’s history where God had moved mightily on their behalf. The offerings and the Day of Atonement reminded them that reconciliation and forgiveness was given to them by God on a daily basis.
Third, every sacrifice marked an occasion for thankfulness and rejoicing! God had made a way to save His people!
As the people of God today, we don’t observe frequent sacrifices. However, the slain Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, represents the same truths to us. He died for our many sins. His death on our behalf reminds us of what God has done for us. So just as the place of death in the OT was a place of worship, the place of death in the NT, the cross, is a place of worship!
This time I've got questions! (and one comment!)
ReplyDelete1) 31:8-- "And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword" I was just wondering, how did we get that whole story of Balaam, his donkey, and the blessings?? Do you suppose Balaam confessed it just before they executed him? or was it collaborating testimony of the Midianite/Moabite leaders that gave us the story? or did God just reveal it to Moses in some outside-of-logic way?? I know we can only conjecture, but I am curious. Any ideas?
2) 31:48-54-- God sends 12,000 soldiers to fight Midian and there is not one casualty for Israel! The soldiers are so grateful that they dedicate all of the gold loot that they have collected to God for a thank offering (419 pounds of gold!). In the ESV notes there is a note about how God required a ransom to be paid whenever Israel conducted a census. Did David neglect the paying of a ransom after he conducted his disastrous census (II Sam.24/I Chron.21)? Was that what his sin was? Or was it the pride involved in thinking that he was in control because of his military might? (I had always thought that the second was the sin.)
3) Chapter 32-- I wonder what God thought of all of the deliberation over the lands east of the Jordan where Reuben, Gad, and 1/2 Manasseh wanted to settle? There is no mention of Moses asking God what He wanted them to do, and God doesn't speak at all in that chapter. Considering what trouble Joshua will get into (Josh. 7+9) when he will presumptuously make decisions without asking God, this seems like a bad move on Moses' part. But nothing bad does come of it... except, weren't these tribes some of the first to be conquered by their enemies when God removed His protection in judgment of Israel? I wonder if God had wanted all of Israel to move on west the Jordan, and for the land east of it to be a buffer zone?? Just wondering.
And 4) I am grateful for being raised by Christian parents who taught me early the truth in Numbers 32:23 "Be sure your sin will find you out." "How awful! To frighten a child into good behavior by making God into the biggest SPY ever!" NO! NO! NO! The fear of God is a GOOD thing, a protecting and preserving thing, and I am glad that I learned I couldn't "get away" with anything for long, and it was wiser to confess quickly and be done with the power of secrets!! I was taught many other verses, but that one has been long-reaching. Wise folks, my Mama and Daddy!
My thoughts.
ReplyDelete1. I don't hold to the "dictation theory" where God is somehow audibly, mystically telling Moses what to write. I believe textual criticism teaches us that these stories existed in written or oral form. The Lord guided Moses in how to put these stories together to form the Pentateuch. Someone knew this about Balaam and had written it down. Maybe even Balaam recorded his experience?
2. It seems to me that David's error was a lack of trust in the Lord.
3. I have alwasy wondered about this. The fact is they did not enter the Promised Land so it at least seems that they were willing to settle for less than what God had promised to give.
good questions.