Matthew Henry Commentary Numbers 28
Matthew Henry Commentary
Numbers 28
Matthew Henry Commentary
Numbers 28
"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My oblation, my food for my offerings made by fire, of a sweet savor unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto Jehovah: he-lambs a year old without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; and the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. It is a continual burnt-offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou pour out a drink-offering of strong drink unto Jehovah. And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meal-offering of the morning, and as the drink-offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah." — Numbers 28:1-8 (ASV)
God saw fit now to repeat the law of sacrifices. This was a new generation of men, and they were concerned to keep their peace with God when at war with their enemies.
The daily sacrifice is called a continual burnt-offering. When we are instructed to pray always, at least every morning and evening we should offer up solemn prayers and praises to God.
Nothing is added here except that the wine poured out in the drink-offering is to be strong wine, to teach us to serve God with the best we have. It was a figure of the blood of Christ, the memorial of which is still left to the church in wine, and of the blood of the martyrs, which was poured out as a drink-offering on the sacrifice and service of our faith (Philippians 2:17).
"And on the sabbath day two he-lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts [of an ephah] of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering thereof: this is the burnt-offering of every sabbath, besides the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof. And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt-offering unto Jehovah: two young bullocks, and one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish; and three tenth parts [of an ephah] of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for each bullock; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for the one ram; and a tenth part of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering unto every lamb; for a burnt-offering of a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. And their drink-offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bullock, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb: this is the burnt-offering of every month throughout the months of the year. And one he-goat for a sin-offering unto Jehovah; it shall be offered besides the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof." — Numbers 28:9-15 (ASV)
Every Sabbath day, besides the two lambs offered for the daily burnt offering, two more must be offered. This teaches us to double our devotions on Sabbath days, for the duty of the day requires it. The Sabbath rest is to be observed so that we may more closely apply ourselves to the Sabbath work, which ought to fill up the Sabbath time.
The offerings on the new moons showed thankfulness for the renewal of earthly blessings. When we rejoice in the gifts of providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ—that great gift of special grace—the fountainhead of our joy.
And the worship performed on the new moons is made symbolic of gospel solemnities (Isaiah 66:23). Just as the moon borrows light from the sun and is renewed by its influences, so the church borrows her light from Jesus Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness, renewing the state of the church, especially under the gospel. (Numbers 28:16–31)
"And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Jehovah`s passover. And on the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. In the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work; but ye shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt-offering unto Jehovah: two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven he-lambs a year old; they shall be unto you without blemish; and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil: three tenth parts shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth parts for the ram; a tenth part shalt thou offer for every lamb of the seven lambs; and one he-goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement for you. Ye shall offer these besides the burnt-offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt-offering. After this manner ye shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah: it shall be offered besides the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof. And on the seventh day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work. Also in the day of the first-fruits, when ye offer a new meal-offering unto Jehovah in your [feast of] weeks, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work; but ye shall offer a burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto Jehovah: two young bullocks, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old; and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for each bullock, two tenth parts for the one ram, a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs; one he-goat, to make atonement for you. Besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering thereof, ye shall offer them (they shall be unto you without blemish), and their drink-offerings." — Numbers 28:16-31 (ASV)
By the sacrifices prescribed in this chapter, we are reminded of the continued power of Christ's sacrifice and of our continual need to depend on it. No busy occupations, perilous situations, or prosperous circumstances should cause neglect in our religious practices; instead, they should motivate us to greater diligence in seeking help from, or giving thanks to, the Lord.
All this must be accompanied by repentance, faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for Him, and it must produce true holiness in our conduct towards all people. Otherwise, God will abhor our most solemn services and abundant devotions. And Christ is able to supply the needs of every day, every week, every month, every year, every ordinance, and every case.
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