The Book of Numbers – Consistent Devotional Rhythm

Num 28:1-2 “The Lord said to Moses, “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me.” 

As we open Numbers 28 and 29, we see God speak to Moses to remind the generation of Israelites about to enter the promised land, of the offerings they are to observe as part of the covenant made at Mount Sinai. 

The offerings they had to observe were: The daily offerings, Sabbath offerings and monthly offerings. In addition, offerings were to be made at appointed feasts, the Passover, the festival of weeks, the festival of trumpets, the day of atonement and the festival of tabernacles.

To get an idea of what the offerings entailed; let us look at a couple of them. For the daily offerings, “This is the food offering you are to present to the Lord: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, together with a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives.This is the regular burnt offering instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.” (Num 28:3-6)

And For the offerings on one of the days out of the seven days of the feast of Tabernacles, “Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. With each of the thirteen bulls offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with each of the two rams, two-tenths; and with each of the fourteen lambs, one-tenth. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. (Num 29:13-16)

The chapters detail out what exactly had to be offered and when. This passage of scripture can read as offerings upon offerings upon offerings, hard for us today to relate to and might feel cumbersome to follow. The sheer magnitude of the sacrifices needed to bring to a Holy God puts into perspective the sacrifice Jesus gave for us and the privilege it provides. Jesus’s blood atoned for our sins; it is the work of his sacrifice that brings us into the presence of God. The Holiness of God and the grace we receive is meant to be revered. Not having to approach him through a sacrifice everyday should not cause us to treat his holiness with any less reverence.

Self-Reflection: How are you in your everyday, revering God for who he is?  

The observance of the requirements of the offerings also led the people to live a life very much centered around God. The regular acts of devotion kept their relationship with God as their main focus and not an afterthought. Their relationship with God was meant to be the framework from which everything else functioned.

The people of God were at the crux of moving from the wilderness to a land flowing with milk and honey. Their lives would be quite different from what they were used to from their time in the wilderness. They would own land, set down roots and enjoy the stability that came with this. Would this change reflect on their dependence on God? Reaching and experiencing the place of blessings might lead to complacency in prioritising God and with it the danger of gradually moving from a place of dependence on God to self-sufficiency.

Self-Reflection: Reflect on whether you tend to have a diminished fervency for the pursuit of God when all seems to be going well. Would you still have the same urgency to open his word to hear what he is saying, find promises and words that speak into your season, feel his presence and seek to hear him speak?

In the wilderness, as directed by God, the people camped around the tabernacle. They moved or stayed in a spot following the cloud and fire by day and night which was God’s guiding presence. When God said move, they moved. Their schedule was governed by God. This was not meant to be a wilderness occurrence, but it was something that God desired they continued to live by. And he desires the same for us too.

Self-Reflection: What are your days governed by? Take a moment and reflect on whether other things in your life work around God or does God tend to be relegated to fit around other things?  

The first offering that God mentions are the daily offerings, one lamb was to be offered in the morning and at twilight together with a grain offering and a drink offering. For the people of God, each day began and ended with their focus on God, reminding them that God is both their provider, and his presence is what they need daily. It was a humble reminder of their sin and the need for atonement. And this consistent daily devotion was their daily rhythm.

Self – Reflection: What does your daily devotional rhythm look like? Are you consistent with your daily offering of time set aside for God? Are you starting and ending your day with your heart set on him and with a realization of your need for him? Starting and ending your day focusing on God, honors him and is a reflection of your devotion and dependence on him. And as scripture tells us, these sacrifices were a pleasing aroma to God. Our devotion to him, our heart attitude is a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 

Each of the offerings had a purpose, and the Israelites had to follow the necessities of the sacrifices which were set by God. It was not meant to be interpreted and done according to what each felt like. We as believers do not have to offer sacrifices now, as the blood of Jesus shed for us was a perfect sacrifice. But God through his word specifies what he wants of us, we are called to put to death our earthly nature and offer our bodies as living sacrifices.

The Holy Spirit is doing a work in us, to make us more Christ like. Sanctification is a process; it involves the work of God in us where we get to partake with our surrender to him. What has God been speaking to you about, what is he asking you to offer to him? Is it your time, your praise, your gratitude, the place of pre-eminence in your life, is he asking for your trust in dealing with a challenging situation. Whatever he is asking you to offer up to him, may you sit at his feet and ask him to enable you to give it to him. May it deepen your relationship with him and may all glory be given to God.

God Bless.