Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

What ARE the offerings? Times of fellowship. The appointed times of God. Did they change? Our side, yes. His side, no. Because the temple was destroyed in 70AD, they could no longer bring sacrifices. They changed from sacrifices to prayers. Prayer being a sweet aroma (Psalm 141:2) replacing the sweet aroma of sacrifice (Exodus 29:18).

Jesus has become our sacrifice. He embodies the sacrifices, so we no longer offer the blood of animals since His blood is on the mercy seat giving a better witness than we can offer (Ephesians 5:2). Instead of animals, we are to offer our prayers (Revelation 5:8), our praise (Hebrews 13:15), our sharing and giving to others (charity and good deeds included, loving our neighbours) in order to bless those around us, and our lives themselves in humble submission and total love (2 Corinthians 2:15) just as Jesus did (Ephesians 5:2).

What times were special to God? Daily in the evenings and the mornings – King David later added midday to that. Weekly on Sabbath. Monthly during the New Moon festival. Yearly (broken into the three mandatory feasts). Daily is one rotation of the Earth. Monthly is one rotation of the moon around the Earth. Yearly is one rotation around the Sun. These are the three witnesses in the heavens (Genesis 37:9; Psalm 89:37; Deuteronomy 30:19-20). The Sabbath? It is a witness of TRUST. There is no VISIBLE witness like the others and the only meeting time we’re told to REMEMBER (Exodus 20:8-11) – the rest we’re told to keep (the witness helps us to remember). The Hebrew letters that make up the word Sabbath include two other words: return and covenant. Remember to return to the Covenant – just like Jesus tells us (1 Corinthians 11:23-27).

“Command the Israelites and say to them, ‘You will be careful to present my offering, my food of my offerings made by fire, of a fragrance of appeasement to me, at its appointed time.’” (Numbers 28:2)

These chapters can be a dry study of the order of offerings. But these chapters show again and again and again the abiding preciousness of what Jesus did. They are all about what the Father thinks of His Son. The burnt offering that ascended to His Father (Chapter 28). The sin offering (Chapter 29) speaks of the WORK of Jesus. Everything that was accomplished in Jesus, by Jesus on the cross – especially the Day of Atonement.

These are days and times of FEASTING. Joyful celebration which we also enjoy in Him. But also the somber Atonement feast so we don’t forget that we’re not celebrating with a ‘buddy’, but a BRIDEGROOM who is ALSO the Righteousness we NEED. A Saviour who died. A Lord that we humbly submit to even as we love Him for it.

These chapters show that God has times He wants to meet with us. Remembrances. Joyful celebration and somber reflection and appreciation for what God has done, does do, and will complete in, through, and for us.

Summary

Key Players: God

Key Themes: Appointed Times of Meeting, Appropriate Methods of Remembrance

Key Verse(s): Numbers 28:1-2; 29:7, 39-40