“And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof.”
In this verse, we find instructions given by God to Moses regarding the offerings to be made on the Sabbath day. Let’s break it down and explore its significance:
Sabbath Observance:The Sabbath day was a holy day set apart by God as a day of rest and worship for the Israelites. It was to be observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, a time when no regular work was to be done. This commandment was given as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites (Exodus 31:16-17).
Sacrificial Offerings:As part of the Sabbath observance, God commanded the Israelites to offer specific sacrifices. In Numbers 28:9, it states that two lambs of the first year without spot were to be offered. The requirement for the lambs to be without spot signifies their purity and unblemished nature. This emphasizes the importance of offering the best to God, giving Him our first and finest.
Meat Offering:Along with the two lambs, the Israelites were to offer two tenth deals of flour mixed with oil as a meat offering. The meat offering, also known as a grain offering, was a non-animal sacrifice made of grain or flour mixed with oil and frankincense. It symbolized the dedication of the people’s labor and the provision of God, acknowledging His blessings and showing gratitude for His goodness.
Drink Offering:The verse also mentions the drink offering, which accompanied the sacrifices. The drink offering typically consisted of wine or another drink poured out as an offering to God. It represented the pouring out of one’s life and resources before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and the desire to honor and worship Him.
This verse highlights the importance of observing the Sabbath day as a time of rest, worship, and offering sacrifices to God. It reminds us of the significance of giving our best to God, both in our physical offerings and in dedicating our lives to His service.
Overall, Numbers 28:9 serves as a reminder of the Old Testament practices and the importance of observing the Sabbath day, offering sacrifices, and presenting our best to God. While Christians today are not bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, we can still draw lessons from these instructions, such as the importance of dedicating time for rest and worship and giving our best to God in all aspects of our lives.
