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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Num. 28-29
So many sacrifices!! God established offerings for every day, week, and month of the year, as well as for several annual festivals. For the final 8 day Festival of Booths (or shelters) alone, they sacrificed a staggering number of animals. 62 bulls, 15 rams, 125 lambs, 8 goats, and a mess of fine flour and fermented drink, if my math is right. I don’t know what to think about all of that except to say that Jesus’ one single sacrifice sure did cover a lot!!
Num. 30
I had an interesting thought while reading this chapter about vows this morning. I have always wondered why a man’s vow is his vow but a woman’s vow can be cancelled by her father or husband, as applicable. It is clear that God takes a vow to the Lord very seriously and the consequences of breaking it are great. But why do some women have an out? It struck me that women with fathers or husbands are covered in God’s eyes. That is, she falls under the man’s responsibility. Thus, the man has the power to release her from the vow and its consequences.
The next thought that occurred to me is that the relationship of the male head of household and the females under his care and authority is representative of God’s relationship of care and authority over us. Thus, these regulations about vows give us a picture of how God releases us from our rash human nature and its harsh consequences. Kinda cool.