What is the meaning of Numbers 28:28? Together with Their Grain Offerings Numbers 28:28 sits within a larger instruction about daily, weekly, and festival sacrifices. Each burnt offering of animals was to be brought “together with their grain offerings.” That little phrase signals that worship was never meant to be one–dimensional. God required • an animal (symbolizing life surrendered) • plus a grain offering (symbolizing daily work and provision) Leviticus 2:1-3 shows the grain offering as “a pleasing aroma to the LORD,” emphasizing wholehearted devotion alongside the shedding of blood. Exodus 29:41 couples grain with the evening lamb, reinforcing that the people could not choose one element and ignore the other. Numbers 29:6 repeats the same structure for the Feast of Trumpets. The pairing teaches that all parts of life—our livelihood as well as our lives—belong to God. Fine Flour Mixed with Oil The grain had to be “fine flour,” meaning sifted and free of husks or stones, an image of purity and excellence. In daily terms, Israel offered the very best of their produce, not leftovers. The flour was “mixed with oil,” pointing to: • richness and nourishment (olive oil was prize produce, 1 Kings 17:12) • joy and consecration (priests were anointed with oil, Exodus 30:30) Leviticus 2:5-7 repeats the oil mixture requirement, and Psalm 23:5 uses oil as a picture of God’s overflowing blessing. Together, the flour and oil underline that worship combines purity and gladness—never drudgery. Three-Tenths of an Ephah with Each Bull An ephah was about 22 liters; three-tenths is roughly 6.6 liters—an ample portion. The larger the animal, the larger the grain that accompanied it. Numbers 15:8-9 sets the same ratio: a bull receives three-tenths of an ephah. This consistency shows God values order and precision. It also demonstrates that greater blessing (a bull was costly) calls for greater gratitude. Second Samuel 24:24 illustrates the heart behind this: “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing”. Two-Tenths of an Ephah with the Ram Dropping from three-tenths to two-tenths (about 4.4 liters) aligns with the smaller size of a ram. God’s scale is fair and proportional—never demanding beyond provision (see Deuteronomy 16:17). Numbers 15:6-7 prescribes the same grain measure for a ram in earlier law, reinforcing that worship is consistent year after year. By linking quantity to the animal, the Lord teaches stewardship: give in proportion to how He has supplied (2 Corinthians 9:7-10 echoes this principle in New-Testament terms). summary Numbers 28:28 shows worship that is comprehensive, pure, joyful, orderly, and proportional. God invites His people to bring life (the animal) and livelihood (fine flour and oil) together, giving the best and giving in measure to what He has entrusted. The passage underscores that every detail of Scripture is deliberate, reflecting a God who cares about both the heart and the particulars of faithful obedience. |
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