Numbers 28:1-40 - The Lessons Of The Daily Burnt Offering

(2) the promptness and punctuality needed in meeting those claims ("in their due season"). Then follow directions as to the most frequent of these offerings—the daily burnt offering, which suggests lessons derived from—

I. ITS CHARACTER ;

II. ITS CONTINUANCE .

I. It consisted of two parts:

We see here—

1 . Expiation. This we need every morning, for we awake and leave our beds sinful, and requiring an atonement that we may be able to present acceptable service during the day. And we need it every evening that daily sins may be forgiven, and that we may rest at peace with God, "clean every whir" ( John 13:10 ).

2 . Dedication. In the burnt offering, as distinguished from the trespass offering, expiation by blood-shedding is taken for granted, but the burning, as the symbol of entire surrender to God, is the culminating point. The various parts of the burnt offering may be regarded as typical of our surrender to God of all the varied powers and gifts he has bestowed. (Illustrate from Romans 12:1-21 ) As Christ presented himself in complete sacrifice to God, so should we ( Ephesians 5:2 , &c.;).

II. "A continual burnt offering" ( Numbers 29:3 ). So constant must the Christian's self-surrender be. With each morning comes the summons " Sursum corda," and the appeal, Romans 12:1 . Evening brings rest from earthly toil, but no cessation from a renewed, continual dedication to God. We should desire no exemption from this continual offering of ourselves when we remember the motives to it.

1 . We ourselves and all we have are God's.

2 . We have enjoyed expiation through the perfect sacrifice of Christ. The law of the daily offering is urged because "ordained in Mount Sinai" ( Romans 12:6 ). The law of Christian self-sacrifice was published by deed, and not by word, at Calvary ( 1 Peter 2:24 ; 1 Peter 3:18 ).

3 . Such sacrifice is pleasing, a sweet savour unto God "the Lord" ( Romans 12:6 ).

4 . Such acts insure Divine manifestations. See Exodus 29:38-43 , which suggests that the neglect of the daily offering would interrupt communion with God.

5 . Thus complete self-surrender brings us into the fullest sympathy with God, and thus into the most perfect liberty ( Psalms 119:45 ; John 8:36 , &c.;).—P.