Exodus 29:38

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

Exodus 29:38 (KJV)

Context

Exodus is the second book of the Bible. It tells how God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and led them to Mount Sinai. In this chapter, God gives Moses detailed instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests. They were to serve in the tabernacle, a mobile worship centre that travelled with the Israelites through the wilderness. The verse begins a section about the daily offerings to be made on the bronze altar in the tabernacle courtyard. This altar stood at the entrance of the tabernacle, and the daily sacrifice was central to the people’s relationship with God.

Meaning

God speaks directly to Moses and commands a specific offering: two lambs of the first year, offered day by day continually. The phrase “day by day continually” means this was not a one-time event. It was a perpetual ordinance, repeated every single day without interruption. The following verses explain that one lamb was offered in the morning and the other in the evening (Exodus 29:39). Each lamb was to be a year old, and the offering was accompanied by grain and drink offerings (Exodus 29:40-41). This daily rhythm formed the regular worship of the Israelites and expressed their ongoing dependence on God. The continual nature of the offering also reminded them that their fellowship with God needed constant renewal.

Biblical connections

The daily sacrifice of lambs points forward to Jesus Christ, who is called the Lamb of God. The lambs were innocent substitutes, and their blood was shed to cover sin. Yet these offerings had to be repeated because they could not fully remove sin. Jesus offered Himself once for all, and His sacrifice fulfills and supersedes the continual offerings. The book of Hebrews explains that the repeated sacrifices reminded the people of their sin, but Christ’s single sacrifice provides eternal cleansing. This connection shows that the old system was a shadow of the perfect sacrifice to come. The lambs, being without blemish and offered daily, were a type of Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice brings complete atonement.

Application

The daily offering teaches the value of consistent devotion. Just as the lambs were offered every morning and evening, believers are called to seek God regularly through prayer, reading Scripture, and meditation. This is not about earning salvation but about maintaining a living relationship with God. The apostle Paul urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). This means offering ourselves to God daily in worship and service, not only on special occasions. The rhythm of the daily sacrifice also reminds us of our ongoing need for cleansing. While Jesus’ sacrifice is complete, we still confess our sins and receive His forgiveness as we walk with Him. A steady pattern of worship helps us stay aware of God’s presence throughout the day.

Reflection

The continual nature of the offering reveals something important about God’s holiness. He deserves constant worship, honour, and praise. The regularity and precision of the sacrifice also show the seriousness of sin and the cost of approaching a holy God. Yet the provision of the lambs demonstrates His grace: He gave His people a way to maintain fellowship with Him. For the believer today, this passage encourages a lifestyle of worship that is steady and faithful. It challenges us to examine whether our devotion is consistent or only occasional. The daily sacrifice was central to Israel’s relationship with God, and a daily walk with Christ should be central to ours.