How does Numbers 15:6 connect to New Testament teachings on sacrifice? Snapshot of Numbers 15:6 “ ‘For a ram you are to prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil,’ ” (Numbers 15:6) • Ram – a male, substitutionary victim • Grain – “fine flour,” ground to uniform consistency • Oil – mingled in, symbolizing consecration and the Spirit • Precise measures – God-given, not guessed Sacrifice Components Mirrored in Christ • Substitutionary victim: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) • Perfect humanity: “The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:33) • Spirit-anointed life: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.” (Acts 10:38) • Fragrant acceptance: “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2) Measure, Fullness, and Completion • Two-tenths ephah – doubled portion points to abundance fulfilled in Christ’s once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:12) • Third-hin oil – larger measure than for a lamb (v. 5); Christ’s greater sacrifice carries greater anointing (Luke 4:18) • Nothing left to human guesswork; the gospel likewise is fixed, not fluid (Galatians 1:8-9) New Testament Links to Grain and Oil • Grain that dies and bears much fruit: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies… it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) • Bread of Life discourse: John 6:35-51 • Oil often pictures the Spirit (Zechariah 4:1-6; 1 John 2:20); Jesus offers the Spirit after His sacrifice (John 7:39) From Shadow to Substance • “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:17) • Hebrews 10:1-14 unpacks how repeated grain-and-blood offerings anticipated the singular, sufficient sacrifice Living Out the Fulfilled Offering • Present your bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1) • Offer praise, “the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15) • Walk in the Spirit’s anointing (Galatians 5:16-25) so the fragrance of Christ carries into everyday life |
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