Theme: A covering for sin
Objectives:
Know: God did not abandon His people. He gave them hope for the future and a covering for sin.
Think: Always be conscious for the cost of forgiveness of sin.
Do: Love and serve Jesus because He paid the enormous cost of our sin.
Scripture: Numbers 15:1-31
Notes and questions:
B1 Numbers overview (Link: http://www.preceptaustin.org/numbers_commentaries )
B2 Setting= the wilderness of Paran
B3 Outline
- The special offering. (This is when they first enter the land). Numbers 15:1-16
- The yearly harvest offering Numbers 15:17-21
- Sacrifices for sin Numbers 15:22-31
- Unintentional Numbers 15:22-29
- Intentional Numbers 15:30-31
- The wood gatherer Numbers 15:32-36
- The tassels on the robes Numbers 15:37-41
B4 The gist of this is for us to learn to be thankful.
- Our parents had to teach us to be thankful.
- We have to teach our children the same.
- God is no different. He needed to teach the children of Israel to be thankful.
- It is a demand, but it is to teach them.
- We all liked to have someone say, “Thank you.”
B5 Numbers 15:2, who was this law given to? In Numbers 15:15, to whom did the law apply.
B6 What is the significance of the words “when you come into the land?” (Numbers 15:2)
B7 Many consider the offering in Exodus 15:3 to be a peace offering. See Leviticus 17:5.
3) PEACE OFFERING https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/08/22/understanding-sacrifices-and-offerings-and-whether-they-are-done-away-in-christ/
Derived from the root word “Shalam” (H7999) meaning to be safe, it was an offering of giving thanks, and were divide into 3 types of peace offerings (Leviticus 7:11-16)
- Thanksgiving for received salvation(Leviticus 7:12)
- a fulfillment of a vow – when expected salvation is received(Leviticus 7:16)
- voluntary offering of giving thanks(Leviticus 7:16) – as an expression of rejoicing with God, as in the case of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:63)
The peace offering consisted of a part of an animal sacrificed to God through fire, part given to the priest as food and the rest eaten as a festive meal in fellowship.
The offerer could bring an ox, sheep or goat from his flock(Leviticus 3:1,6,12) but it would need to be without blemish. There was more freedom of choice as a male or female could be offered up, but there was no provision for a pigeon or dove as the whole point of the offering was the sacrificial meal, and a chance to join with God in a time of fellowship and thanksgiving.
The peace offering was also accompanied by 4 varieties of cakes(Leviticus 7:11-14)
The process of sacrifice
Similar to the burnt offering, the offerer brought the animal to the door of the tabernacle, laid hands on it, identifying himself with it, and killed it. The priests sprinkled the blood, after which the offerer removed all the fat of the animal as part of God’s burnt offering(Leviticus 3:3-5,9) set forth as a sweet savour to Him. The fat was prescribed as the food of YHVH offered up by fire(Leviticus 3:16). The second portion was given to the sons of Aaron as per the instructions of God(Leviticus 7:34, 10:15) The remainder was used in a sacrificial meal eaten inside the temple court with all of the offerers family including his servants(Deuteronomy 12:11,18) with much rejoicing(Deuteronomy 12:7). This is what Paul alludes to in 1 Corinthians 10:18. They were having communion with God. The meal was to be partaken on the same day, but could be eaten the next day if it was for a vow or a voluntary offering. Whatever was left had to be burnt with fire on the third day, and nothing left or eaten(Leviticus 7:15-18).
If the sacrificed meat came in contact with something unclean, it could not be eaten but burnt. All who ate it had to be ceremonially clean as well. Any who broke these precepts were said to be cut off from His people by God Himself(Leviticus 7:19-21).
The fat was not to be eaten as it was God’s portion, and the blood was not to be eaten(Leviticus 7:22-27) as it was used for atonement and had life(Leviticus 17:11).
B8 The amounts (best estimates) in today’s English are:
- Grain offering
- One tenth ephah= ~2 quarts (2.2 liters) (2 pounds) flour
- One fourth hin= ~1 quart (1 liter) (2 pints) olive oil and wine
- Ram
- Two tenths ephah= ~4 quarts (4.4 liters) (4 pounds) flour
- One third hin= ~One third gallon (1.3 liters) (3 pints) olive oil and wine
- Bull
- 3 tenths ephah= ~6 quarts (6.6 liters) (6 pounds) flour
- One half hin= ~2 quarts (2 liters) (4 pints) olive oil and wine
B9 What insight does Acts 15:6-11 bring to our passage?
6 Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate about this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are. Acts 15:6-11
B10 Does this make us appreciate the work of Jesus Christ more? In what way?
18 On the one hand a former command is set aside because it is weak and useless, 19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And since this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 21 but Jesus did so with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’” – 22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:18-33
B11 What does God want to show every human about God’s standards? ...about sin?
B12 After giving the warning passage to Israel, someone deliberately, willfully, broke God’s law.
B13 What is the purpose of the Law? 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:20-23, KJV)
B14 What contrast do you see between God’s and man’s efforts in chapters 14 and 15?
- God does not fail, man does.
- God is faithful, humanity is not.
- God keeps and guarantees His promises, humanity cannot.
- Humanity often forfeits everything, but God’s plan still will happen.
B15 Numbers 15:37-38, Do we have to wear special clothing today? (The Israelites were required to wear blue tassels on the edge of their clothing). This was to remind Israel that they were to keep God’s law and not follow sinful things. What can we do to remind ourselves to keep God’s ways?
B16 What starts the downfall of all humans? See: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21, KJV)
B17 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2Tim 3:2, KJV)
B18
1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100:1-5, KJV)
