Numbers 28:11

At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,

Study Bible

At the beginning of every month
This phrase refers to the New Moon festival, a significant time in the Hebrew calendar marking the start of each month. The Hebrew calendar is lunar-based, and the New Moon was a time for both religious observance and civil administration. The New Moon festival is mentioned in other scriptures such as 1 Samuel 20:5 and Psalm 81:3, indicating its importance in Israelite worship and community life.

you are to present to the LORD
The act of presenting offerings to the LORD underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It reflects the Israelites' acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and their dependence on Him. This practice is rooted in the sacrificial system established in the Torah, which served as a means of atonement and worship.

a burnt offering
Burnt offerings were one of the primary types of sacrifices in the Old Testament, symbolizing complete surrender and devotion to God. The entire animal was consumed by fire, representing the offerer's total commitment. This type of offering is first detailed in Leviticus 1 and is a recurring theme throughout the Pentateuch.

of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old
The specific animals and their numbers have symbolic significance. Bulls were considered valuable and represented strength and leadership. Rams were often associated with substitutionary sacrifice, as seen in the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:13). The number seven is symbolic of completeness and perfection in the Bible, and the use of seven lambs emphasizes the thoroughness of the offering.

all unblemished
The requirement for unblemished animals signifies the need for purity and perfection in offerings to God. This prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described as the "Lamb without blemish or defect" in 1 Peter 1:19. The insistence on unblemished offerings highlights the holiness of God and the need for purity in worship.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commands the offerings and is the recipient of worship.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, through whom God gives these instructions.

3. Israelites
The people of God, who are to carry out these offerings as part of their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

4. The Tabernacle
The place where these offerings are to be made, serving as the dwelling place of God among His people.

5. New Moon (Rosh Chodesh)
The first day of each month in the Hebrew calendar, marked by specific offerings and a time of renewal and dedication.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Regular Worship
The monthly offerings remind us of the importance of regular, intentional worship and dedication to God. Just as the Israelites had a structured time to present offerings, we too should have regular times of worship and reflection.

Holiness and Purity
The requirement for offerings to be "without blemish" underscores the holiness and purity God desires. In our lives, we are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Renewal and New Beginnings
The new moon offerings symbolize renewal and new beginnings. Each month, we have the opportunity to recommit ourselves to God, seeking His guidance and strength for the days ahead.

Community and Corporate Worship
These offerings were a communal activity, reminding us of the importance of gathering together as a body of believers to worship and support one another in our faith journey.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the concept of regular offerings in Numbers 28:11 apply to our modern-day practice of worship and devotion?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our "offerings" to God—our time, talents, and resources—are "without blemish"?

3. How can the idea of renewal at the start of each month inspire us to seek new beginnings in our spiritual lives?

4. What role does community play in our worship practices, and how can we foster a sense of corporate worship in our church or small group?

5. How do the offerings and festivals in the Old Testament point us to the work and person of Jesus Christ, as discussed in the New Testament?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 23
This chapter outlines various feasts and offerings, providing a broader context for the monthly offerings described in Numbers 28:11.

Psalm 81
This psalm references the blowing of the trumpet at the new moon, connecting the practice of monthly offerings with worship and celebration.

Colossians 2
Paul discusses the shadow of things to come, including festivals and new moons, pointing to their fulfillment in Christ.