Meaning of Exodus 29:38

This verse from Exodus 29 outlines a foundational element of the daily worship prescribed for the Israelite priesthood in the tabernacle. It mandates a consistent, daily sacrifice of two unblemished yearling lambs, one in the morning and one in the evening. This ritual was not merely a symbolic act but a tangible expression of Israel's covenant relationship with God, a continuous atonement for sin, and a perpetual offering of devotion. The emphasis on regularity ("regularly each day") highlights the ongoing need for expiation and the unwavering commitment required in serving the divine presence. The choice of "yearling lambs" suggests a sacrifice of the prime of their lives, representing a valuable and unblemished offering.

Context and Background

Exodus 29 details the consecration and ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. Following the construction of the tabernacle, God provides specific instructions for its service, including the sacrificial system. These daily offerings were part of the broader sacrificial framework established at Sinai, designed to maintain the purity of the community and facilitate God's dwelling among His people. The tabernacle was a sacred space, and its maintenance required constant ritual observance to ensure its sanctity and the people's access to God.

Key Themes and Messages

• Covenant Faithfulness: The daily sacrifice underscores God's commitment to His covenant with Israel and their reciprocal duty to maintain faithfulness through prescribed worship.
• Perpetual Atonement: The lambs offered represent a continuous provision for sin, acknowledging humanity's inherent sinfulness and the necessity of ongoing reconciliation.
• Order and Discipline: The ritual's regularity instills a sense of order and discipline in worship, emphasizing that approaching God requires adherence to His commands.
• Value of the Offering: The yearling lambs, being young and unblemished, signify a sacrifice of the best that could be offered, reflecting the high value God placed on His people and the atonement for their sins.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For ancient Israel, these daily sacrifices served as a constant reminder of their sin and their need for God's forgiveness. They provided a tangible means of appeasing God's wrath and maintaining fellowship. The morning and evening offerings likely symbolized the beginning and end of the day, covering all aspects of life and time. Today, while the Levitical sacrificial system is fulfilled in Christ, the principle of consistent devotion and dependence on God's atonement remains. This verse calls believers to a life of ongoing surrender and reliance on Christ's sacrifice, rather than a one-time religious act.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This daily sacrifice is a precursor to and foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The New Testament explicitly states that Christ's one-time offering on the cross is sufficient for the atonement of sins, rendering the repeated Levitical sacrifices obsolete. Hebrews 9:11-14 contrasts the efficacy of Christ's blood with the limitations of animal sacrifices. The consistent daily offering highlights the inadequacy of the Old Covenant system, pointing towards the perfect and eternal atonement provided by the New Covenant in Christ.

Analogies

One analogy for the daily sacrifice is the diligent maintenance of a vital life-support system. Just as a hospital requires constant monitoring and intervention to keep a patient alive, Israel's covenant relationship with God required continuous ritual maintenance to remain viable. Another analogy is the daily practice of hygiene; just as one must regularly wash to maintain cleanliness, Israel had to offer daily sacrifices to maintain spiritual purity before a holy God.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 3:21: The first clothing made for Adam and Eve from animal skins signifies God's provision of covering for their sin, a foundational concept extended and elaborated through the sacrificial system.
• Leviticus 4:1-3: This chapter details various sin offerings, underscoring the pervasive nature of sin and the need for specific atonement.
• Numbers 28:3-8: This passage reiterates the command for the daily burnt offering, emphasizing its fixed nature and purpose.
• Hebrews 10:10-14: This New Testament passage declares that Christ's sacrifice is a "single, perfect offering" that has made believers holy, superseding the need for repeated sacrifices.
• 1 John 1:7: This verse speaks of the ongoing cleansing from sin through the blood of Jesus, echoing the perpetual nature of God's provision for His people.