Meaning of Numbers 28:3

This verse, Numbers 28:3, establishes a foundational aspect of Israelite worship: the daily burnt offering. It mandates the consistent presentation of two unblemished male lambs, one in the morning and one in the evening, as a "regular burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah tamid) to the Lord. This was not an optional sacrifice but a perpetual ordinance, reflecting the ongoing need for atonement and the constant relationship God desired with His people. The regularity emphasizes the unending nature of God's grace and the continuous requirement for humanity to acknowledge their dependence on Him and seek His favor. The unblemished nature of the lambs underscores the perfection required for approaching a holy God, foreshadowing the ultimate unblemished sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Context and Background

Numbers 28 is part of the priestly and sacrificial legislation given to Moses in the wilderness after the Exodus. Following the construction of the Tabernacle, detailed instructions were provided for its services, including the various offerings and festivals. This specific passage follows instructions for other offerings and festivals, highlighting the daily commitment to worship. The burnt offering ('olah) was a voluntary sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, signifying complete dedication and atonement. The tamid (regular) aspect underscores that this was the baseline, perpetual offering that was to be made every single day, without fail.

Key Themes and Messages

• Perpetual Atonement: The daily offering signifies the ongoing need for atonement for sin. No day was to pass without a sacrifice representing the covering of sin and appeasing God's righteous judgment.
• Divine Order and Consistency: The Lord Himself institutes this daily ritual, demonstrating His desire for order and consistency in His people's worship. It was not to be haphazard but a structured part of their lives.
• Complete Dedication: The burnt offering symbolized the total surrender of the offerer to God, with the entire animal consumed. The daily repetition reinforced this idea of continuous dedication.
• God's Provision and Grace: The offerings were provided by God's instruction, indicating His gracious provision for His people's spiritual needs and His willingness to accept their worship.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The daily burnt offering points to the inadequacy of human effort to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. It served as a constant reminder of sin and the need for a perfect sacrifice. For believers today, this verse foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), whose one-time, perfect offering on the cross provides complete and eternal atonement for sin. The "regular" aspect can be applied to the believer's daily commitment to prayer, worship, and obedience, maintaining a consistent walk with God.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This ordinance is a crucial element in the Old Testament system of worship that consistently points towards the coming Messiah. The Levitical sacrificial system, with its repeated offerings, highlights the temporary nature of these sacrifices and the anticipation of a final, perfect sacrifice. Numbers 28:3, by emphasizing the daily need, underscores the limitations of the Old Covenant and prepares the reader for the New Covenant established through Christ's atoning work. The concept of unblemished offerings also aligns with the purity required of God's people throughout Scripture.

Analogies

One analogy for the daily burnt offering is the regular maintenance of a vital piece of machinery. Just as a machine needs constant lubrication, cleaning, and checks to function optimally and prevent breakdown, Israel's spiritual life needed the daily sacrifice to maintain its connection with God and prevent spiritual decay. Another analogy is the daily provision of food for a family. Just as a family needs to eat daily to sustain life and strength, Israel needed the daily offering to sustain its spiritual life and relationship with God.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 29:38-42: This passage provides the initial institution of the daily burnt offering, outlining its purpose and significance in the context of the Tabernacle. Numbers 28 expands on this by detailing its place within the broader sacrificial calendar.
• Hebrews 10:1-18: This New Testament passage powerfully contrasts the repeated, imperfect sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It explicitly states that "the law is only a shadow of the good things that are yet to come; it cannot bring the people into perfect wholeness" (Hebrews 10:1) and that Christ's sacrifice "has made us holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).
• 1 Peter 1:18-19: Peter refers to believers being redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot," directly linking the unblemished nature of the Old Testament sacrifices to the perfection of Christ.
• Psalm 51:17: David, in his penitential psalm, declares, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." This verse highlights that while ritualistic sacrifices were commanded, a sincere heart was always essential, a principle that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.