What is the meaning of Numbers 29:38? One male goat as a sin offering “and one male goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 29:38) • The sin offering was God’s gracious means of atonement for unintentional sin (Leviticus 4:27-31). • Even during a joyful festival, Israel still needed cleansing—sin never takes a holiday (Psalm 51:1-3). • The spotless goat foreshadowed the greater, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:22; Isaiah 53:10). Salvation has always required innocent blood shed in the sinner’s place. In addition to the regular burnt offering “besides the regular burnt offering” (v. 38) • The daily burnt offering (Numbers 28:3-4) represented continual devotion—morning and evening surrender to the LORD. • By adding festival sacrifices “in addition,” God showed that special occasions magnify, not replace, everyday obedience (1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 12:1). • Worship that honors God begins with the ordinary faithfulness of routine sacrifice and is then enriched by celebratory offerings. With its grain offering “its grain offering” (v. 38) • Grain offerings (Leviticus 2:1) expressed gratitude for God’s provision and symbolized lives dedicated to Him, as flour crushed and mixed with oil. • Linking it to the burnt and sin offerings teaches that thanksgiving flows from forgiveness (Psalm 50:14) and wholehearted surrender. • For believers, Jesus—the Bread of Life (John 6:35)—fulfills the picture: we now offer ourselves and our resources in thankful response to His saving work. And its drink offering “and its drink offering” (v. 38) • The drink offering (Numbers 15:5-10) was wine poured out, signifying joy and total commitment—nothing held back. • Paul echoed this imagery when he said, “I am being poured out like a drink offering” (Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6), illustrating a life gladly expended for Christ. • Combined with the burnt, grain, and sin offerings, the drink offering painted a full portrait: atonement received, devotion expressed, gratitude shown, and joy overflowing. summary Numbers 29:38 rounds out the eighth-day festival sacrifices by adding a male goat for sin, along with the daily burnt, grain, and drink offerings. Together these rituals declare that God’s people need continual atonement, persistent dedication, thankful generosity, and joyful self-giving. The verse calls worshipers—then and now—to rest in the perfect sacrifice of Christ and to live lives wholly offered back to the LORD. |
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