NUMBERS: Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Summary:	God speaks to Moses, telling him to command the people of Israel that animal and grain sacrifices made by fire (for a "sweet savor") shall be observed in their due season. God tells Moses to instruct the people to offer a continuous animal sacrifice of two yearling lambs ("without spot"), one to be sacrificed in the morning, and the other to be sacrificed in the evening. Along with each lamb, a tenth part of an ephah (approximately three quarts) of flour mixed with a fourth part of a hin (approx. 3 pints) of beaten olive oil is to be offered, as well as a "drink offering" consisting of a fourth part of a hin (approx. 3 pints) of "strong wine". All of this is to be a continual "burnt offering", which God claims was ordained in Mount Sinai for a "sweet savor" made by fire for him. On the sabbath day, an additional two yearling lambs are to be sacrificed along with two tenth deals (approx. six quarts) of flour mixed with oil and a drink offering. This "burnt offering" of the sabbath is to be offered in addition to the "continual burnt offering" and "drink offering". On the first day of each month, the people will have to sacrifice two young bulls, a ram, and seven* yearling lambs without defect. Along with each animal, a "grain offering" and a "drink offering" is to be offered: three tenth deals (approx. nine quarts) of flour mixed with oil and half a hin (approx. six pints) of wine for each bull two tenth deals (approx. six quarts) of flour mixed with oil and the third part of a hin (approx. four pints) of wine for the ram and "several tenth deal" of flour mixed with oil along with the fourth part of a hin (approx. three pints) of wine for each lamb All of which God states will be a "sweet savor" to him when sacrificed by fire. In addition to all of those animals and the regular daily sacrifices, a male goat is to be slaughtered for a "sin offering" on the first day of each month as well. God then repeats that the celebration of Passover is to celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month, and that on the fifteenth day of the month is a seven day feast of unleavened bread. On the first day of the feast a sabbath is to be observed, and no manner of servile work is to be done therein - except for sacrificing two young bulls, a ram, and seven yearling lambs (without defects). Along with each animal, a "grain offering" is to be offered: three tenth deals (approx. nine quarts) of flour mixed with oil for each bull two tenth deals (approx. six quarts) of flour mixed with oil for the ram and "several tenth deal" of flour mixed with oil for each lamb. In addition to all of these animals, a male goat is to be slaughtered for a "sin offering" as well to make an "atonement" for the people of Israel. These additional sacrifices are to be made on each of the seven days of the feast, and are to be offered in the morning at the same time of the "continual burnt offering" - it will be a "sweet savor" unto God. Again, no servile work is to be done on the seventh day. On the Day of the Firstfruits* when the people are to bring newly harvested crops to God, the people should also have a "holy convocation" and no servile work is to be done - except for sacrificing two young bulls, a ram, and seven yearling lambs. Along with each animal, a "grain offering" is to be offered: three tenth deals (approx. nine quarts) of flour mixed with oil for each bull two tenth deals (approx. six quarts) of flour mixed with oil for the ram and "several tenth deal" of flour mixed with oil for each lamb. In addition to all of these animals, a male goat is to be slaughtered for a "sin offering" as well to make an "atonement" for the people of Israel. These animal sacrifices are to be made in the morning beside the "continual burnt offering", "grain offering", and "drink offering".
Notes:	1.) Yet another occurrence of the mystical number seven in the bible. 2.) Also called the "Festival of Weeks" or "Pentecost".
Thoughts:	This chapter returns us to God's laws on animal sacrifices (which he states no less than eleven time alone in this chapter as being a "sweet savor") and sets up a new "continual burnt offering" sacrifice. Each day, two yearling lambs are to be sacrificed (one in the morning, and one in the evening) alongside a "grain offering" consisting of three quarts of flour mixed with three pints of beaten olive oil. God tacks on two more yearling lambs that have to be sacrificed each week on the sabbath (in addition to the regular pair) along with six quarts of flour and a "drink offering". Now on the first day of each month, God requires you to sacrifice two young bulls, a ram, and seven (again with that number) yearling lambs along with a "grain offering" and "drink offering" for each animal. 9 quarts of flour and six pints of wine for each bull; six quarts of flour and four pints of wine with the ram; and and unspecified amount of flour and three pints of wine for each lamb. All of this has to be sacrificed in addition to the two other yearling lambs sacrificed for the "continual burnt offering". So, once a month the priests get to dine on nine lambs, two bulls, a ram, 13 and a half quarts of wine, and well over 24 quarts of flour(!) - that's a lot of food and wine! God then repeats his annual "Passover" animal sacrifice demands, that during the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" the people will have to sacrifice two young bulls, a ram, and seven yearling lambs on each of the seven days of the feast. Along with each animal a "grain offering" is to accompany it - the same amounts corresponding to the first day of the month sacrifice. On top of that, a male goat also has to be sacrificed for a "sin offering". These sacrifices again are in addition to, and not replacing, the daily "continuous burnt offerings". On the "Day of the Firstfruits" when the people sacrifice the first of their crops to God, the people will also have to sacrifice two young bulls, a ram, seven yearling lambs, and a goat (for a "sin offering") along with a corresponding amount of flour for each animal. So, pulling out our calculator we come to the count that God demands the sacrifice of 967 yearling lambs - without defects(!), 40 bulls, 20 rams, and 8 male goats each year as a minimum. This is not including the animals that need to be sacrificed for various "sins" throughout God's laws.