Numbers 28-29
Dear RTB’ers,
The burnt offering to the Lord was introduced in Leviticus 1. It is now re-introduced to this new generation of Israelites in the first eight verses of Numbers 28. Then the phrase, …besides the regular burnt offering… occurs first in Num. 28:10, then another four times (or some variant of this phrase) in Numbers 28 and ten more times in Numbers 29. The NASB uses the word “continual” instead of “regular”, which seems even more emphatic. This burnt offering is an “add-on” to other weekly, monthly, and annual offerings (Sabbath, Monthly, Passover, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Booths). All these other offerings are intended to remind the Israelites of the Lord’s hand in their lives, from their Exodus from Egypt to their daily provisions.
But the daily/regular/continual burnt offering stands out. And this daily/regular/continual burnt offering is a morning and evening activity. Why? Presumably for the Israelites to keep God at the forefront in all their activities in their daily lives. Maybe that’s why we read this one phrase fifteen times in today’s reading. Except for us it’s prayer, not burnt offerings. A good reminder, morning and evening – and throughout the day!
Blessings!