“And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.”
Numbers 28 contains instructions given by God to Moses regarding the various offerings and sacrifices that were to be presented by the Israelites. In this particular verse, God outlines the drink offerings that were to accompany the burnt offerings presented on a monthly basis.
The Drink Offerings:The drink offerings were an important part of the sacrificial system in ancient Israel. They consisted of wine poured out as an offering to God, symbolising the pouring out of one’s life or essence before Him. The pouring out of the wine was an act of worship and surrender.
The Quantities:According to Numbers 28:14, the quantities of wine for the drink offerings varied based on the type of animal being offered. For a bullock (a young bull), half a hin (a liquid measurement) of wine was to be poured out. For a ram, one-third of a hin was required, and for a lamb, one-fourth of a hin was sufficient.
Monthly Burnt Offerings:This verse specifies that these drink offerings were to be presented with the burnt offering of every month throughout the year. The burnt offering was an offering that was entirely consumed by fire as an act of complete dedication and surrender to God.
Symbolism:The drink offerings, alongside the burnt offerings, represented the Israelites’ desire to worship and honour God through the giving of their resources. The pouring out of wine symbolised their willingness to give of themselves and their substance to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and lordship over their lives.
It is important to note that while the instructions outlined in Numbers 28 were specific to the Israelites and their system of worship in the Old Testament, as Christians, we are no longer bound by these particular rituals and sacrifices. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been offered a new and eternal covenant of grace.
In summary, Numbers 28:14 highlights the importance of drink offerings accompanying the burnt offerings presented by the Israelites on a monthly basis. It serves as a reminder of their commitment to worship and surrender to God through the pouring out of wine as an act of reverence and devotion.
