“And one goat for a sin offering: beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.”
Context:Numbers 7 describes the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel during the consecration of the Tabernacle. Each tribe’s leader presented a series of offerings to the Lord. In verse 32, we see that the leader of the tribe of Naphtali, Ahira, brought a goat as a sin offering in addition to the other prescribed offerings.
Key Points:
- Offerings and Worship:The book of Numbers highlights the importance of offerings in the worship of the Israelites. These offerings included various types, such as burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings. They were a significant part of the Israelites’ relationship with God and demonstrated their commitment, repentance, and gratitude.
- Sin Offering:The sin offering was a specific type of sacrifice made to atone for unintentional sins or sins committed unknowingly. It was offered on behalf of the entire community or an individual, acknowledging the need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The offering involved the shedding of blood, symbolizing the seriousness of sin and the cost of redemption.
- Atonement and Redemption:The concept of sin offerings in the Old Testament foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would become the perfect and final atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29) and “our Passover Lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus provided forgiveness and salvation for all who believe in Him, fulfilling the purpose of the sin offerings in the Old Testament.
- The Continual Burnt Offering:In Numbers 7:32, it is mentioned that the goat for the sin offering was brought “beside the continual burnt offering.” The continual burnt offering was a daily offering of a lamb in the morning and a lamb in the evening, representing the continual worship and dedication of the Israelites to God. This offering served as a reminder of their dependence on God and their commitment to Him.
Application:
- Recognition of Sin:The sin offering in the Old Testament reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and forgiveness. It prompts us to examine our lives and acknowledge areas where we fall short of God’s standards. It encourages us to confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
- Embracing Christ’s Sacrifice:The sin offering ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. As believers, we are called to accept His sacrifice by faith, recognizing that through Him, we are forgiven and reconciled with God. We should approach God with a repentant heart, trusting in Christ’s atonement for our sins.
- Continuous Worship:Just as the Israelites offered the continual burnt offering, we are called to offer our lives as a continual act of worship to God (Romans 12:1). Our worship involves not only our words and songs but also our obedience, surrender, and devotion. We should seek to live in constant communion with God, honoring Him in all aspects of our lives.
- Gratitude and Dedication:The offerings presented by the leaders of the tribes in Numbers 7 demonstrate their gratitude and dedication to God. Similarly, as followers of Christ, we are called to live lives of gratitude and dedication, offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God. We express our gratitude by honoring Him, obeying His commandments, and using our gifts and resources for His glory.
In summary, Numbers 7:32 emphasizes the importance of offerings in worship, particularly the sin offering, which pointed to the need for atonement and forgiveness. It reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect and final atoning sacrifice for our sins. May we respond by recognizing our sinfulness, embracing Christ’s sacrifice, engaging in continuous worship, and living lives of gratitude and dedication to God.
