Numbers 15:5
And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.
Numbers 15:5 (KJV)
Context
Numbers records the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness after they left Egypt. In Numbers 15, God gives Moses detailed regulations for offerings to be presented at the tabernacle during this journey. This verse is part of those instructions, showing how the people were to worship God in an orderly and careful way. The rules cover both the burnt offering and the sacrifice of one lamb, and they include specific amounts for each accompanying gift.
Meaning
God commands that a drink offering of wine be prepared with the burnt offering or sacrifice for one lamb. A hin was a liquid measure, and a fourth part of a hin was about one quart. The drink offering was wine poured out before the Lord as an act of worship. The wine was to be from grapes, as the Jewish Targum of Jonathan specifies; other kinds of wine were not to be used. This offering accompanied the burnt offering, which symbolized total surrender to God. The drink offering added joy and completeness to the worship.
The same measure of wine was used as the measure of oil in the grain offering that went with the lamb (Numbers 15:4). This shows that God cares about the details of worship. Each lamb required a specific amount of wine, revealing God’s order and His desire for His people to give Him their best. The drink offering was a libation, a liquid poured out to the Lord, and it was part of the provision for God’s house. This pattern applied to every burnt offering and peace offering, not just the one for a lamb.
Biblical connections
The drink offering was a libation, a liquid poured out to God. This act pointed forward to the outpouring of Christ’s life. Jesus gave His life completely for our sins, and His sacrifice fulfilled the offerings of the Old Testament. The drink offering also pictures the believer’s life poured out in service and devotion to God. When we give ourselves fully to Him, our lives become a living offering of worship. The principle of giving God our best is woven throughout Scripture, and this verse shows that even the smallest details of worship matter to Him.
Application
Although we do not offer animal sacrifices today, the principles behind this verse still guide us. We can apply them in several ways:
Worship God through offerings. We can give our time, talents, and resources as an act of worship, recognizing that everything we have comes from Him.
Obey God’s commandments faithfully. Just as the Israelites were to follow God’s specific directions, we are called to obey His Word in every area of life.
Give with a joyful heart. The drink offering was associated with joy and celebration. Our giving should come from a heart of gratitude, not compulsion.
Practice generosity and stewardship. We are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. By giving to others and supporting His work, we participate in His plan to bless the world.
God desires our obedience and our best. When we honor Him with our resources and our lives, we reflect the same devotion that the drink offering expressed. The specific instructions remind us that worship is not casual; it is a deliberate act of love and reverence.
Reflection
The ultimate sacrifice has already been made through Jesus Christ, who gave His life on the cross for our sins. Through faith in Him, we receive forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the assurance of eternal life. As we remember His outpoured life, we can offer our own lives as a living sacrifice, poured out in love and service to Him. The drink offering, poured out completely, is a fitting picture of the devotion we are invited to share.
