Our Times are In His Hands
The offering list we find in Numbers 28-29 is detailed and extensive. It covers the daily offerings, the weekly sabbath offerings, the monthly offerings of the new moon as well as the offerings for the 3 feasts that took place every year for the people of Israel. The one thought that occurred to me was this:
Their times were in God's hands. God wanted them marking every new day with blood, every new week, every new month and season with blood and offerings. God wanted His people to remember the blood of sacrifice that makes them able to come into His presence. The Nation of Israel didn't just mark those times wth blood, they rested and celebrated together. God wanted them to take time to enjoy each other's presence and His presence among them.
In all 5 special occurrences (Passover, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Booths) they were to do no ordinary work. It is clear that God was communicating that work should never be seen as that which makes them who they are. They are who they are through the blood of the lamb. And that blood makes them God's special people.
What a great way to approach your time. Every day to remember - you're God's special people. Every week, month and new season as well.
Of course in Christ, these ancient symbols are revealed for the fulness that He brings.
In Passover Christ brings us redemption from sin. We are no longer slaves to sin and we must live with a desire to not sin (thus the eating of unleavened bread for 7 days).
Numbers 28:16–17 (ESV) “On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Lord’s Passover, 17 and on the fifteenth day of this month is a feast. Seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
In the feast of Weeks Israel is reminded that all their provision is from God. The feast was named Pentecost for the fact that it happened 50 days after Passover. On that day they would wave two kinds of bread before the Lord. On Pentecost in Acts 2, the Spirit was poured out for the provision of God's mission in the World. Also on that day, the Word began bringing in both those near to God (Jews) and those far from God (Gentiles). He are made one new loaf in Him.
In the feast of Trumpets we see Israel calling people back to God through the trumpet call. This is the evangelism of the Church that is happening now. We sound the good news to the world so that all whom God may call will hear and respond and ultimately return home to Him. Note how this happens on the 7th month. The number for completion. That means the Gospel will be announced until the last child of God has responded and the full number of His family is home.
Numbers 29:1 (ESV) “On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets,
Ten days after Trumpets was the Day of Atonement:
Numbers 29:7 (ESV) “On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation and afflict yourselves. You shall do no work,
Could this be the time of the end when the Jews return to Jesus in large numbers? If you consider that the High Priest went into the holy of holies on that day - this could be prophesying the entrance of God's Holy People back into His presence through the blood of Christ. How powerful.
Finally, the Feast of Booths happens just 5 days later.
Numbers 29:12 (ESV) “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.
Their times were in God's hands. God wanted them marking every new day with blood, every new week, every new month and season with blood and offerings. God wanted His people to remember the blood of sacrifice that makes them able to come into His presence. The Nation of Israel didn't just mark those times wth blood, they rested and celebrated together. God wanted them to take time to enjoy each other's presence and His presence among them.
In all 5 special occurrences (Passover, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Booths) they were to do no ordinary work. It is clear that God was communicating that work should never be seen as that which makes them who they are. They are who they are through the blood of the lamb. And that blood makes them God's special people.
What a great way to approach your time. Every day to remember - you're God's special people. Every week, month and new season as well.
Of course in Christ, these ancient symbols are revealed for the fulness that He brings.
In Passover Christ brings us redemption from sin. We are no longer slaves to sin and we must live with a desire to not sin (thus the eating of unleavened bread for 7 days).
Numbers 28:16–17 (ESV) “On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Lord’s Passover, 17 and on the fifteenth day of this month is a feast. Seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
In the feast of Weeks Israel is reminded that all their provision is from God. The feast was named Pentecost for the fact that it happened 50 days after Passover. On that day they would wave two kinds of bread before the Lord. On Pentecost in Acts 2, the Spirit was poured out for the provision of God's mission in the World. Also on that day, the Word began bringing in both those near to God (Jews) and those far from God (Gentiles). He are made one new loaf in Him.
In the feast of Trumpets we see Israel calling people back to God through the trumpet call. This is the evangelism of the Church that is happening now. We sound the good news to the world so that all whom God may call will hear and respond and ultimately return home to Him. Note how this happens on the 7th month. The number for completion. That means the Gospel will be announced until the last child of God has responded and the full number of His family is home.
Numbers 29:1 (ESV) “On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets,
Ten days after Trumpets was the Day of Atonement:
Numbers 29:7 (ESV) “On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation and afflict yourselves. You shall do no work,
Could this be the time of the end when the Jews return to Jesus in large numbers? If you consider that the High Priest went into the holy of holies on that day - this could be prophesying the entrance of God's Holy People back into His presence through the blood of Christ. How powerful.
Finally, the Feast of Booths happens just 5 days later.
Numbers 29:12 (ESV) “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.
Here God's people gather around God's presence and make their habitation with Him. This is obviously a symbol of heaven. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. We have a tent not made with Earthly hands awaiting us.
What a wonderful revelation of our times. They are truly in God's hands through His grace and sealed in the blood of His lamb. He takes us all the way from sin to salvation and our ultimate destination.
Amen.
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