What is the meaning of Numbers 15:4? the one presenting his offering to the LORD - The worshiper personally approaches God with a sacrifice, underscoring individual accountability (Leviticus 1:2–3; Romans 12:1). - “Offering to the LORD” reminds us that every act of worship centres on the covenant God who rescued Israel (Exodus 20:2) and still invites His people to draw near (Hebrews 10:19-22). - The phrase affirms that access to God is on His terms, not ours (John 14:6), highlighting both reverence and privilege. shall also present a grain offering - Blood sacrifices for atonement (Numbers 15:1-3) must be joined by a grain offering; worship involves both forgiveness and thanksgiving (Leviticus 2:1-3). - Grain, the staple of daily life, says, “All my sustenance comes from You” (Deuteronomy 8:10-18). - The word “also” shows this is a command, not an optional add-on. Our worship today likewise blends confession and gratitude (Psalm 50:14; Colossians 3:17). of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour - Fine flour is sifted, pure, the best of the harvest—no leftovers for God (Malachi 1:8). - A “tenth” mirrors the tithe principle, reinforcing that the first and finest belong to Him (Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30). - Bread imagery points forward to Christ, the sinless “bread of life” who satisfies eternally (John 6:35). - By giving their best grain, Israel acknowledged the LORD as provider (Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:14). mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil - Oil enriches the flour, making it palatable and complete. In Scripture oil pictures gladness (Psalm 104:15) and the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 10:38). - Mixing shows inseparability: thanksgiving (flour) is to be infused with Spirit-led joy and consecration (oil). - Olive oil comes from crushed olives—an echo of Messiah’s suffering at Gethsemane, “the olive press” (Matthew 26:36-38; Isaiah 53:10). - The stated quarter-hin quantity (Exodus 29:40) underlines that God sets the measure; obedience means following His specifics, not our preferences. summary Numbers 15:4 instructs each worshiper to pair a blood sacrifice with a precise grain-and-oil offering. Giving the finest flour in a set measure and saturating it with oil declares that God deserves the best of our daily provision and that true worship is empowered by His Spirit. The verse therefore points back to God’s covenant faithfulness, calls believers to wholehearted, exact obedience, and foreshadows the perfect offering of Jesus Christ, the true Bread of Life anointed by the Spirit for our salvation. |
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