Numbers 28
You may notice that our reading today seems like a recap of what was already covered in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, particularly about the sacrificial system. Although there are some repeated instructions from God in Numbers 28, we must remember that the audience He is speaking to was not born, or was very young, the first time God had given the Israelites the laws about sacrifices. As you read through these commands, you’ll again notice that God was very specific with the details of each offering, as He would not accept anything less than what He ordained. Once more, this reminds us that the only sacrifice He will accept for the forgiveness of our sins is the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any offering we give to earn His grace and mercy will not be received by Him.
The first sacrifice discussed in chapter 28 is the daily offering, which was to be offered each day and night (v. 4), helping us recall that we should begin and end each day offering ourselves to the Lord. There was also one noteworthy addition to the description of God’s commands in this passage: the drink offering was to be of “strong drink” (v. 7), which Matthew Henry asserts was “to teach us to serve God with the best we have.”[i] When we take time to ponder what Jesus gave for us, how can our hearts not be stirred to give all we have to Him?
The Sabbath offering was addressed next (vv. 9-10), followed by a new provision regarding sacrifices to be brought monthly (or at each new moon). To the latter, Israel followed a lunar calendar, so God was teaching His people that each new month represented a fresh start.[ii] Moreover, in emphasizing these offerings in connection with the moon, God was reminding us that, just as it “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.”[iii] Consider today how you can posture yourself to be continually renewed by the light of the Sun of righteousness.
Commands describing sacrifices for the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) close out Numbers 28. We have already addressed how each of these festivals finds its perfect fulfillment in the Lord Jesus, so as you read, let your heart be stirred toward gratitude and thankfulness for His sacrificial atonement on your behalf.
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· Do you begin and end each day by offering all you are and have to God? If not, start now!
· How can you posture yourself to be continually renewed by the light of the Sun of righteousness?
[i] Numbers 28 Bible commentary. (n.d.). Christianity.com. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from
https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/numbers/28
[ii] Wiersbe, W. W. (2001). The Bible exposition commentary: The Pentateuch. David C. Cook. p. 362.
[iii] Numbers 28 Bible commentary. (n.d.). Christianity.com. Retrieved May 22, 2026, from
https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/numbers/28