How does Numbers 28:17 emphasize the importance of observing God's appointed festivals? The Verse in Focus “On the fifteenth day of this month there is to be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten.” (Numbers 28:17) Context of Numbers 28 • Chapters 28–29 rehearse the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual offerings Israel must bring. • Immediately after the daily and Sabbath sacrifices (vv. 1-10) and the monthly offerings (vv. 11-15), God turns to the spring festivals, beginning with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 16-25). • By placing the festivals alongside continual offerings, the Lord links the rhythm of Israel’s calendar to a rhythm of worship. Key Observations from Numbers 28:17 • Specific timing—“the fifteenth day” fixes the observance in history, showing these feasts are not optional ideals but commanded appointments (Leviticus 23:4). • Defined duration—“for seven days” underscores sustained devotion, not a momentary nod to tradition. • Required diet—“unleavened bread is to be eaten” points to purity and separation from sin (Exodus 12:15; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8). • Placement within a sacrificial section signals that festival celebration must be accompanied by sacrificial worship, foreshadowing Christ’s once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:1-10). Why the Passover Week Matters • Acts as a perpetual memorial of redemption from Egypt (Exodus 12:14). • Reinforces covenant identity: every generation re-enters the story of deliverance (Deuteronomy 16:3). • Provides a prophetic picture: Christ, the Passover Lamb, was crucified on Passover and buried during Unleavened Bread (1 Corinthians 5:7). • Calls for congregational unity: “You are to observe a sacred assembly” (Numbers 28:18). Spiritual Principles Highlighted • Obedience: Accepting God’s calendar shows submission to His lordship (John 14:15). • Remembrance: Regular festivals keep God’s saving acts vivid in communal memory (Psalm 105:1-5). • Holiness: Removing leaven illustrates the call to purge sin (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Thanksgiving: Offerings presented during the feast express gratitude for redemption (Psalm 50:23). Application Today • Honor God-appointed times by gathering faithfully on the Lord’s Day and observing Christ-centered remembrances such as the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). • Build family and church rhythms that rehearse salvation history—read Exodus 12 every Easter week, share testimonies of deliverance, and celebrate with sincere, unleavened hearts. • Pursue a lifestyle of continual worship: the daily offerings of Numbers 28 remind us to offer ourselves “as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1) in-between the mountaintop celebrations. |
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