mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 28.xml

<div2 id="Num.xxix" n="xxix" next="Num.xxx" prev="Num.xxviii" progress="78.76%" title="Chapter XXVIII">
<h2 id="Num.xxix-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.xxix-p0.2">CHAP. XXVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.xxix-p1">Now that the people were numbered, orders given
for the dividing of the land, and a general of the forces nominated
and commissioned, one would have expected that the next chapter
should begin the history of the campaign, or at least should give
us an account of the ordinances of war; no, it contains the
ordinances of worship, and provides that now, as they were on the
point of entering Canaan, they should be sure to take their
religion along with them, and not forget this, in the prosecution
of their wars, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.1-Num.28.2" parsed="|Num|28|1|28|2" passage="Nu 28:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>.
The laws are here repeated and summed up concerning the sacrifices
that were to be offered, I. Daily, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.3-Num.28.8" parsed="|Num|28|3|28|8" passage="Nu 28:3-8">ver. 3-8</scripRef>. II. Weekly, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.9-Num.28.10" parsed="|Num|28|9|28|10" passage="Nu 28:9,10">ver. 9, 10</scripRef>. III. Monthly, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.11-Num.28.15" parsed="|Num|28|11|28|15" passage="Nu 28:11-15">ver. 11-15</scripRef>. IV. Yearly. 1. At the
passover, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.16-Num.28.25" parsed="|Num|28|16|28|25" passage="Nu 28:16-25">ver. 16-25</scripRef>. 2.
At pentecost, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.26-Num.28.31" parsed="|Num|28|26|28|31" passage="Nu 28:26-31">ver.
26-31</scripRef>. And the <!-- <a href="MHC04029.HTM" id="Num.xxix-p1.7"> -->next chapter<!-- </a> -->
is concerning the annual solemnities of the seventh month.</p>
<scripCom id="Num.xxix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.28" parsed="|Num|28|0|0|0" passage="Nu 28" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.xxix-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.1-Num.28.8" parsed="|Num|28|1|28|8" passage="Nu 28:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.28.1-Num.28.8">
<h4 id="Num.xxix-p1.10">Laws Concerning Sacrifices. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1452.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xxix-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p2.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses, saying,   2 Command the children of Israel,
and say unto them, My offering, <i>and</i> my bread for my
sacrifices made by fire, <i>for</i> a sweet savour unto me, shall
ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.   3 And thou
shalt say unto them, This <i>is</i> the offering made by fire which
ye shall offer unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p2.2">Lord</span>; two
lambs of the first year without spot day by day, <i>for</i> a
continual burnt offering.   4 The one lamb shalt thou offer in
the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even;   5
And a tenth <i>part</i> of an ephah of flour for a meat offering,
mingled with the fourth <i>part</i> of an hin of beaten oil.  
6 <i>It is</i> a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in
Mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p2.3">Lord</span>.   7 And the drink
offering thereof <i>shall be</i> the fourth <i>part</i> of an hin
for the one lamb: in the holy <i>place</i> shalt thou cause the
strong wine to be poured unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p2.4">Lord</span> <i>for</i> a drink offering.   8 And
the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of
the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer
<i>it,</i> a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p2.5">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxix-p3">Here is, I. A general order given
concerning the offerings of the Lord, which were to be brought in
their season, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.2" parsed="|Num|28|2|0|0" passage="Nu 28:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
These laws are here given afresh, not because the observance of
them was wholly disused during their thirty-eight years' wandering
in the wilderness (we cannot think that they were so long without
any public worship, but that at least the daily lamb was offered
morning and evening, and doubled on the sabbath day; so bishop
Patrick conjectures); but that many of the sacrifices were then
omitted is plainly intimated, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Amos.5.25" parsed="|Amos|5|25|0|0" passage="Am 5:25">Amos v.
25</scripRef>, quoted by Stephen, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.42" parsed="|Acts|7|42|0|0" passage="Ac 7:42">Acts
vii. 42</scripRef>. <i>Did you offer unto me sacrifices and
offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?</i> It
is implied, "No, you did not." But, whether the course of
sacrifices had been interrupted or no, God saw fit now to repeat
the law of sacrifices, 1. Because this was a new generation of men,
that were most of them unborn when the former laws were given;
therefore, that they might be left without excuse, they have not
only these laws written, to be read to them, but again repeated
from God himself, and put into a less compass and a plainer method.
2. Because they were now entering upon war, and might be tempted to
think that while they were engaged in that they should be excused
from offering sacrifices. <i>Inter arma silent leges—law is little
regarded amidst the clash of arms.</i> No, says God, <i>my bread
for my sacrifices</i> even now <i>shall you observe to offer,</i>
and that <i>in the due season.</i> They were peculiarly concerned
to keep their peace with God when they were at war with their
enemies. In the wilderness they were solitary, and quite separate
from all other people, and therefore there they needed not so much
their distinguishing badges, nor would their omission of sacrifices
be so scandalous as when they came into Canaan, when they mingled
with other people. 3. Because possession was now to be given them
of the land of promise, that land flowing with milk and honey,
where they would have plenty of all good things. "Now" (says God),
"When you are feasting yourselves, forget not to offer the bread of
your God." Canaan was given to them upon this condition, that they
should <i>observe God's statutes,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.44-Ps.105.45" parsed="|Ps|105|44|105|45" passage="Ps 105:44,45">Ps. cv. 44, 45</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxix-p4">II. The particular law of the daily
sacrifice, a lamb in the morning and a lamb in the evening, which,
for the constancy of it as duly as the day came, is called a
<i>continual burnt-offering</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.3" parsed="|Num|28|3|0|0" passage="Nu 28:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), which intimates that when we are
bidden to <i>pray always, and to pray without ceasing,</i> it is
intended that at least every morning and every evening we offer up
our solemn prayers and praises to God. This is said to be
<i>ordained in Mount Sinai</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.6" parsed="|Num|28|6|0|0" passage="Nu 28:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), when the other laws were given.
The institution of it we have, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.38" parsed="|Exod|29|38|0|0" passage="Ex 29:38">Exod.
xxix. 38</scripRef>. Nothing is here added in the repetition of the
law, but that the wine to be poured out in the drink-offering is
ordered to be <i>strong wine</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.7" parsed="|Num|28|7|0|0" passage="Nu 28:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), the riches and most generous and
best-bodied wine they could get. Though it was to be poured out
upon the altar, and not drunk (they therefore might be ready to
think the worst would serve to be so thrown away), yet God requires
the strongest, to teach us to serve God with the best we have. The
wine must be strong (says Ainsworth) because 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 upon the <i>sacrifice and service of our faith,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.17" parsed="|Phil|2|17|0|0" passage="Php 2:17">Phil. ii. 17</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xxix-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.9-Num.28.15" parsed="|Num|28|9|28|15" passage="Nu 28:9-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.28.9-Num.28.15">
<p class="passage" id="Num.xxix-p5">9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first
year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour <i>for</i> a meat
offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:  
10 <i>This is</i> the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the
continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.   11 And in
the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p5.1">Lord</span>; two young bullocks, and
one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;   12 And
three tenth deals of flour <i>for</i> a meat offering, mingled with
oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour <i>for</i> a
meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;   13 And a
several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil <i>for</i> a meat
offering unto one lamb; <i>for</i> a burnt offering of a sweet
savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p5.2">Lord</span>.   14 And their drink offerings shall
be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third <i>part</i> of
an hin unto a ram, and a fourth <i>part</i> of an hin unto a lamb:
this <i>is</i> the burnt offering of every month throughout the
months of the year.   15 And one kid of the goats for a sin
offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p5.3">Lord</span> shall be
offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink
offering.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxix-p6">The new moons and the sabbaths are often
spoken of together, as great solemnities in the Jewish church, very
comfortable to the saints then, and typical of gospel grace. Now we
have here the sacrifices appointed, 1. For the sabbaths. Every
sabbath day the offering must be doubled; besides the two lambs
offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more
offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning sacrifice, and
the other to the evening, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.9-Num.28.10" parsed="|Num|28|9|28|10" passage="Nu 28:9,10"><i>v.</i>
9, 10</scripRef>. This teaches us to double our devotions on
sabbath days, for so the duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest
is to be observed, in order to a more close application to the
sabbath work, which ought to fill up sabbath time. In Ezekiel's
temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath offerings
were to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings, and
drink-offerings (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.46.4-Ezek.46.5" parsed="|Ezek|46|4|46|5" passage="Eze 46:4,5">Ezek. xlvi. 4,
5</scripRef>), to intimate not only the continuance, but the
advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days of the Messiah.
This is <i>the burnt-offering of the sabbath in his sabbath,</i> so
it is in the original, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.10" parsed="|Num|28|10|0|0" passage="Nu 28:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. We must do every sabbath day's work in its day,
studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time as those that
believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one sabbath's work
to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the service thereof.
2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the sabbath was kept
with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new moons were
sanctified with an eye to the divine providence, which <i>appoints
the moon for seasons,</i> guiding the revolutions of time by its
changes, and governing sublunary bodies (as many think) by its
influences. Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we
must not forget to give God the glory of all the precious things
put forth by the moon which he has <i>established for ever, a
faithful witness in heaven,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.89.37" parsed="|Ps|89|37|0|0" passage="Ps 89:37">Ps.
lxxxix. 37</scripRef>. The offerings in the new moons were very
considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the
meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend them
(<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.11-Num.28.15" parsed="|Num|28|11|28|15" passage="Nu 28:11-15"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>, &amp;c.),
besides a sin-offering, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.15" parsed="|Num|28|15|0|0" passage="Nu 28:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. For, when we give glory to God by confessing his
mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by confessing our own
sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts of common providence, we
must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special
grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy. Some have
questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their
feasts; but why should they not, when, besides the special
sacrifices which were then to be offered, they rested from servile
works (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Amos.8.5" parsed="|Amos|8|5|0|0" passage="Am 8:5">Amos viii. 5</scripRef>), <i>blew
the trumpets</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.10" parsed="|Num|10|10|0|0" passage="Nu 10:10"><i>ch.</i> x.
10</scripRef>), and went to the prophets <i>to hear the word?</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.4.23" parsed="|2Kgs|4|23|0|0" passage="2Ki 4:23">2 Kings iv. 23</scripRef>. And the
worship performed in the new moons is made typical of gospel
solemnities, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p6.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.23" parsed="|Isa|66|23|0|0" passage="Isa 66:23">Isa. lxvi.
23</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xxix-p6.11" osisRef="Bible:Num.28" parsed="|Num|28|0|0|0" passage="Nu 28" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.xxix-p6.12" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.16-Num.28.31" parsed="|Num|28|16|28|31" passage="Nu 28:16-31" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.28.16-Num.28.31">
<p class="passage" id="Num.xxix-p7">16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month
<i>is</i> the passover of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p7.1">Lord</span>.
  17 And in the fifteenth day of this month <i>is</i> the
feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.   18 In the
first day <i>shall be</i> an holy convocation; ye shall do no
manner of servile work <i>therein:</i>   19 But ye shall offer
a sacrifice made by fire <i>for</i> a burnt offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p7.2">Lord</span>; two young bullocks, and one ram, and
seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without
blemish:   20 And their meat offering <i>shall be of</i> flour
mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock,
and two tenth deals for a ram;   21 A several tenth deal shalt
thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:   22
And one goat <i>for</i> a sin offering, to make an atonement for
you.   23 Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in
the morning, which <i>is</i> for a continual burnt offering.  
24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven
days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour
unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p7.3">Lord</span>: it shall be offered
beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.  
25 And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye
shall do no servile work.   26 Also in the day of the
firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p7.4">Lord</span>, after your weeks <i>be out,</i> ye
shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:  
27 But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxix-p7.5">Lord</span>; two young bullocks, one
ram, seven lambs of the first year;   28 And their meat
offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one
bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,   29 A several tenth
deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;   30
<i>And</i> one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
  31 Ye shall offer <i>them</i> beside the continual burnt
offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without
blemish) and their drink offerings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxix-p8">Here is, I. The appointment of the
pass-over sacrifices; not that which was the chief, the paschal
lamb (sufficient instructions had formerly been given concerning
that), but those which were to be offered upon the seven days of
unleavened bread, which followed it, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.17-Num.28.25" parsed="|Num|28|17|28|25" passage="Nu 28:17-25"><i>v.</i> 17-25</scripRef>. The first and last of
those seven days were to be sanctified as sabbaths, by a holy rest
and a holy convocation, and on each of the seven days they were to
be liberal in their sacrifices, in token of their great and
constant thankfulness for their deliverance out of Egypt: <i>Two
bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs.</i> A gospel conversation, in
gratitude for <i>Christ our passover</i> who was sacrificed, is
called the <i>keeping of this feast</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.8" parsed="|1Cor|5|8|0|0" passage="1Co 5:8">1 Cor. v. 8</scripRef>); for it is not enough that we
purge out the <i>leavened bread</i> of malice and wickedness, but
we must <i>offer the bread of our God, even the sacrifice of
praise, continually,</i> and continue herein unto the end. 2. The
sacrifices are likewise appointed which were to be offered at the
feast of pentecost, here called the <i>day of the first-fruits,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.26" parsed="|Num|28|26|0|0" passage="Nu 28:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. In the feast
of unleavened bread they offered a <i>sheaf of their
first-fruits</i> of barley (which with them was first ripe) to the
priest (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.23.10" parsed="|Lev|23|10|0|0" passage="Le 23:10">Lev. xxiii. 10</scripRef>), as
an introduction to the harvest; but now, about seven weeks after,
they were to bring a <i>new meat-offering to the Lord,</i> at the
end of harvest, in thankfulness to God, who had not only given,
<i>but preserved to their use, the kindly fruits of the earth, so
as that in due time they did enjoy them.</i> It was at this feast
that <i>the Spirit was poured out</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.1-Acts.2.13" parsed="|Acts|2|1|2|13" passage="Ac 2:1-13">Acts ii. 1</scripRef>, &amp;c.), and thousands were
converted by the preaching of the apostles, and were presented to
Christ, to be <i>a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.</i> The
sacrifice that was to be offered with the loaves of the
first-fruits was appointed, <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.23.18" parsed="|Lev|23|18|0|0" passage="Le 23:18">Lev.
xxiii. 18</scripRef>. But over and above, besides that and besides
the daily offerings, they were to offer <i>two bullocks, one ram,
and seven lambs, with a kid for a sin-offering,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxix-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.28.27-Num.28.30" parsed="|Num|28|27|28|30" passage="Nu 28:27-30"><i>v.</i> 27-30</scripRef>. When God sows
plentifully upon us he expects to reap accordingly from us. Bishop
Patrick observes that no <i>peace-offerings</i> are appointed in
this chapter, which were chiefly for the benefit of the offerers,
and therefore in them they were left more to themselves; but
<i>burnt-offerings</i> were purely for the honour of God, were
confessions of his dominion, and typified evangelical piety and
devotion, by which the soul is wholly offered up to God in the
flames of holy love; and <i>sin-offerings</i> were typical of
Christ's sacrifice of himself, <i>by which we and our services are
perfected and sanctified.</i></p>
</div></div2>