What does Numbers 7:28 reveal about the Israelites' relationship with God? Verse in Focus “one male goat for a sin offering;” (Numbers 7:28) Setting the Scene • Numbers 7 records the dedication gifts each tribal leader brought for the new altar. • Every tribe’s list is identical, underscoring a shared standing before God. • Each offering includes a sin offering—here, a male goat—before any fellowship (peace) offerings are presented. Key Observations • The first need addressed is sin, not celebration. • Blood is required (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • The offering is tribal yet personal: a leader represents his people, but every Israelite benefits. What This Reveals about Israel’s Relationship with God • Consciousness of Sin – The nation knows it cannot approach a holy God casually (Psalm 24:3-4). • Obedient Submission – They follow God’s precise sacrificial pattern (Leviticus 4). • Dependence on Substitution – A goat dies so the worshipers may live; sin is transferred, not ignored (Leviticus 16:21-22). • Equality Before the Lord – Each tribe brings the same sin offering; no tribe is exempt or superior (Romans 3:23). • Ongoing Fellowship Maintained by Atonement – The sin offering precedes the peace offering (Numbers 7:29), showing that reconciliation comes before communion. What It Tells Us about God • Holiness—He will not tolerate sin in His presence (Isaiah 6:3-5). • Mercy—He provides a way of cleansing instead of abandoning His people (Exodus 34:6-7). • Accessibility—Through the prescribed sacrifice, He invites Israel to draw near (James 4:8a). • Consistency—The same requirement for every tribe highlights His just, impartial character (Acts 10:34). Foreshadowing the Greater Sin Offering • The goat anticipates Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). • Hebrews 9:13-14 contrasts animal blood with “the blood of Christ,” showing its ultimate efficacy. • 2 Corinthians 5:21 confirms that Jesus became sin for us, fulfilling what each goat only portrayed. Living Implications • Sin must still be confessed and forsaken; God’s holiness has not diminished (1 John 1:8-9). • Believers rest in the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, yet the principle of approaching God through atonement remains (Hebrews 10:19-22). • Equality at the cross mirrors the equality at the altar; all stand in identical need and identical grace (Galatians 3:28). |
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