Exodus 29:38 Study Bible: "Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually, a continual burnt offering.

◄ Exodus 29:38 ►

This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old.

This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar
The regular offering on the altar signifies the importance of continual worship and dedication to God. The altar, central to Israelite worship, represents a place of sacrifice and communion with God. This command for regular offerings underscores the need for consistent devotion and obedience. The practice of daily offerings is a reminder of God's constant presence and the need for ongoing atonement and fellowship with Him. This concept of regularity in worship is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

each day:
The daily nature of the offering highlights the perpetual need for atonement and the Israelites' dependence on God's mercy. It reflects the rhythm of life centered around worship and obedience. This daily practice can be seen as a precursor to the Christian discipline of daily prayer and devotion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a continual relationship with God. The daily offerings also foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who provides eternal atonement for sin.

two lambs that are a year old.
The use of lambs in the offering is significant, as lambs are often associated with innocence and purity. A year-old lamb is in its prime, symbolizing the best and most valuable offering to God. This requirement points to the necessity of giving God our best in worship and sacrifice. The lamb is a type of Christ, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), who was without blemish and offered Himself for the sins of the world. The dual offering of two lambs each day may also symbolize completeness and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, which covers all sin for all time.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the instructions from God on Mount Sinai regarding the consecration of the priests and the offerings.

2. Aaron and His Sons
The first priests of Israel, who were to carry out the sacrificial offerings as part of their priestly duties.

3. The Altar
The place of sacrifice in the Tabernacle where the daily offerings were to be made, symbolizing the presence of God among His people.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence, where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey in the wilderness.

5. The Daily Sacrifice
The continual offering of two lambs each day, one in the morning and one at twilight, as a perpetual reminder of God's covenant and provision.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Regular Worship
Just as the Israelites were commanded to offer sacrifices daily, Christians are called to engage in regular worship and devotion to God. This can include daily prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with other believers.

Symbolism of the Lamb
The lambs offered daily symbolize purity and innocence, pointing forward to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Reflect on how Christ's sacrifice fulfills the need for continual offerings.

God's Provision and Presence
The daily sacrifices were a reminder of God's continual provision and presence with His people. In our lives, we can trust in God's faithfulness and provision, seeking His presence daily.

Consistency in Spiritual Practices
The regularity of the offerings teaches us the value of consistency in our spiritual practices. Establishing routines in our spiritual lives helps us grow in faith and remain connected to God.

The Role of Sacrifice in Worship
Sacrifice was central to the worship of the Israelites, and it remains a key aspect of Christian worship. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the command for daily sacrifices in Exodus 29:38 reflect the nature of our relationship with God today?

2. In what ways can we incorporate regular worship and devotion into our daily lives, similar to the daily offerings?

3. How does the symbolism of the lamb in the Old Testament offerings enhance our understanding of Jesus as the Lamb of God?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate consistency in our spiritual practices, and why is this important?

5. How can we apply the concept of sacrifice in our worship today, considering Romans 12:1-2?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 6:8-13
This passage provides further instructions on the burnt offering, emphasizing the perpetual nature of the fire on the altar, which connects to the continual offering in Exodus 29:38.

Hebrews 10:11-14
This New Testament passage contrasts the daily sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, highlighting the fulfillment of the sacrificial system.

Numbers 28:1-8
This passage reiterates the command for daily offerings, emphasizing the importance of regular worship and dedication to God.

Sermons

The Daily Burnt-Offering	J. Orr	Exodus 29:38-43
The Divine Presence in the Church	J. S. Exell, M. A.	Exodus 29:38-46

People

Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Egypt, Mount Sinai

Topics

Altar, Continually, Continuously, Daily, Lambs, Offer, Offering, Prepare, Regularly, Sons

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 29:38

2315 Christ, as Lamb
4663 lamb

Exodus 29:29-46

7745 ordination

Exodus 29:38-39

6606 access to God
7302 altar

Exodus 29:38-40

4954 morning

Exodus 29:38-41

     4492   olive
     4933   evening
     5617   measures, liquid
     7368   grain offering

Exodus 29:38-42

7322 burnt offering

Exodus 29:38-43

7422 ritual
8629 worship, times

Library

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. And as for you, the anointing which ye received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as His anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in Him.'--1 John ii. 20, 27. In the revelation by Moses of God's Holiness and His way of making holy, the priests, and specially the high priests, were the chief expression of God's Holiness in man. …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1. That holiness is more than cleansing, and must be preceded by it, is taught us in more than one passage of the New Testament. 'Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.' 'If a man cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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