Numbers 28:2
"Command the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to Me at its appointed time the food for My offerings by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Me.
“Command the Israelites and say to them:

God directs Moses to instruct the nation concerning the regular sacrifices required under the covenant. Moses serves as the appointed mediator, and Israel is responsible to obey the commands given through him.

Lev 1:2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you”…
Lev 23:2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them,…
Lev 4:2 Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins…

See that you present to Me

The offerings belong to God and are brought before Him as acts of worship. Israel’s worship was not left to personal preference but was governed by God’s revealed requirements.

Exo 23:15 You are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread…
Deu 16:16 Three times a year all your men appear before the LORD…
Psa 96:8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;…

at its appointed time

Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices were to be offered according to the schedule God established. These fixed times ordered Israel’s life around continual remembrance of the Lord and His provision.

Exo 13:10 Therefore you shall keep this statute at the appointed time…
1Ch 23:31 Whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD…
Lev 23:4 These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies…

the food for My food offerings,

The sacrifices included animals, grain, oil, and drink offerings from the produce God had given His people. Though God does not need food, the altar offerings were designated as His portion and acknowledged Him as the source of all Israel possessed.

Lev 6:17 It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it…
Lev 7:35 This is the portion of the food offerings to the LORD…
Lev 21:6 They must be holy to their God and not profane the name.…

as a pleasing aroma to Me.

When offered in faith and obedience, the sacrifices were acceptable to God. Their fulfillment is found in Christ, whose sacrifice fully accomplished what the offerings under the Law anticipated.

Lev 1:9 The entrails and legs must be washed with water,…
Exo 29:18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering…
Gen 8:21 When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are being instructed in the ways of worship and obedience to God.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, through whom God delivers His commandments and instructions, including those concerning offerings and sacrifices.

3. Offerings Made by Fire
These are sacrifices that are to be burned on the altar, symbolizing dedication and atonement, and are a central part of Israelite worship.

4. Pleasing Aroma
This phrase signifies God's acceptance and satisfaction with the offerings when they are made in obedience and sincerity.

5. Appointed Time
Refers to the specific times and seasons that God has ordained for the offerings, emphasizing the importance of order and timing in worship.
Teaching Points
Obedience in Worship
God desires obedience in how we approach Him. Just as the Israelites were given specific instructions for offerings, we are called to worship God in spirit and truth.

The Importance of Timing
The concept of "appointed time" teaches us the value of God's timing in our lives. We should seek to align our actions and decisions with His divine schedule.

Sacrificial Living
While we no longer offer burnt sacrifices, our lives should be a living sacrifice, dedicated to God in all we do, reflecting His holiness and love.

God's Pleasure in Our Offerings
Our offerings, whether they be time, resources, or talents, should be given with a heart that seeks to please God, knowing that He delights in our sincere devotion.

Consistency in Worship
Regular and consistent worship, as seen in the appointed times for offerings, is crucial for spiritual growth and maintaining a close relationship with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a "pleasing aroma" in Numbers 28:2 relate to our modern-day worship practices?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our offerings to God (time, talents, resources) are given at their "appointed time"?

3. How does the idea of sacrificial living, as seen in Numbers 28:2, challenge our current lifestyle choices?

4. What parallels can we draw between the offerings in Numbers 28:2 and the sacrifices of praise mentioned in Hebrews 13:15-16?

5. How can we cultivate a heart of obedience in our worship, similar to the Israelites' call to present offerings as instructed by God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 1-7
These chapters provide detailed instructions on various offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings, which are similar to those mentioned in Numbers 28:2.

Exodus 29:18
This verse also speaks of offerings as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, highlighting the consistency of this concept throughout the Pentateuch.

Hebrews 13:15-16
In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to offer sacrifices of praise and good deeds, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament offerings as acts of worship.
The Daily OfferingD. Young Numbers 28:1-8
Of the Daily SacrificesW. Attersoll.Numbers 28:1-31
The New Moon FestivalW. Seaton.Numbers 28:1-31
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Jericho, Mount Sinai
Topics
Appointed, Aroma, Bread, Bring, Care, Careful, Command, Due, Fire, Fire-offerings, Fragrance, Hast, Heed, Israelites, Oblation, Observe, Odor, Odour, Offer, Offering, Offerings, Orders, Pleasant, Pleasing, Present, Presented, Regular, Sacrifices, Savor, Savour, Season, Smell, Sons, Soothing, Sweet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 28:2

     4826   fire
     5183   smell

Library
Whether the Third Precept of the Decalogue, Concerning the Hallowing of the Sabbath, is Fittingly Expressed?
Objection 1: It seems that the third precept of the decalogue, concerning the hallowing of the Sabbath, is unfittingly expressed. For this, understood spiritually, is a general precept: since Bede in commenting on Lk. 13:14, "The ruler of the synagogue being angry that He had healed on the Sabbath," says (Comment. iv): "The Law forbids, not to heal man on the Sabbath, but to do servile works," i.e. "to burden oneself with sin." Taken literally it is a ceremonial precept, for it is written (Ex. 31:13):
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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