‏ Numbers 28

* Offerings, The daily sacrifice. (1-8) The offering on the

sabbath and new moons. (9-15) Offerings at the passover, and on

the day of first-fruits. (16-31)

1-8 God saw fit now to repeat the law of sacrifices. This was a

new generation of men; and they were concerned to keep their

peace with God when at war with their enemies. The daily

sacrifice is called a continual burnt-offering; when we are bid

to pray always, at least every morning and evening we should

offer up solemn prayers and praises to God. Nothing is added

here but that the wine poured out in the drink-offering is to be

strong wine, to teach us to serve God with the best we have. It

was a figure of the blood of Christ, the memorial of which is

still left to the church in wine; and of the blood of the

martyrs, which was poured out as a drink-offering on the

sacrifice and service of our faith, #Php 2:17|. 9-15 Every sabbath day, beside the two lambs offered for the

daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered. This

teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the

duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in

order more closely to apply ourselves to the sabbath work, which

ought to fill up the sabbath time. The offerings in the new

moons showed thankfulness for the renewing of earthly blessings:

when we rejoice in the gifts of providence, we must make the

sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the

fountain and spring-head of our joy. And the worship performed

in the new moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, #Isa

66:23|. As the moon borrows light from the sun, and is renewed

by its influences; so the church borrows her light from Jesus

Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness, renewing the state of

the church, especially under the gospel. 16-31 By the sacrifices enjoined in this chapter, we are

reminded of the continued power of the sacrifice of Christ, and

of our continual need to depend thereon. No hurrying

employments, or perilous situations, or prosperous

circumstances, should cause slackness in our religious

exercises; but should rather stir us up to greater diligence in

seeking help from, or giving thanks to the Lord. And all is to

be accompanied with repentance, faith is the Lord Jesus, and

love to him, and to produce true holiness in our conduct towards

all men; otherwise God will abhor our most solemn services and

abundant devotions. And Christ is able to supply the wants of

every day, every week, every month, every year, every ordinance,

every case.