YOUTH STS LESSON 119 PRESCRIPTIONS CONCERNING OFFERINGS AND VOWS
TEXT: NUMBERS 28:1-31; 29:1-40; 30:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings” (Numbers 29:39).
God instructed the children of Israel through Moses on the types of offerings they were expected to offer to Him. He also instituted and reemphasised the feasts and gatherings for the children of Israel to worship at various times of the year. Moses ensured the children of Israel walked in accordance with the will and plan of God. Christian youths should emulate the life of Moses by ensuring that they are fully obedient to the Lord in carrying out all instructions given by Him. God gave clear instructions regarding the offerings and how they were to be offered. He commanded the children of Israel to give the offerings, so that there would be enough provision for His worship. The offerings were also meant for atonement and reconciliation of the Israelites with God. Today, we do not offer sacrifices for atonement; rather, the “blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The feasts were also commanded by God to enable the children of Israel gather at His presence for worship, supplication, meditation and fellowship. In chapter 30 of our text, God gave instructions concerning voluntary vows and oaths by a man, a maiden (unmarried woman), a married woman and a widow.
Question 1: What do you understand by vows and oaths?
A vow is a voluntary promise to God to perform some services or do something pleasing to Him (Genesis 28:20-22). An oath is a solemn appeal to God or an object to witness the truth of a statement (Genesis 21:23). Oath also means swearing. In the New Testament, Christians are not to swear to an oath but to affirm their words (Matthew 5:33-37).
1.THE PURPOSE OF THE OFFERINGS AND FEASTS
Numbers 28:1-31; 29:1-38; Exodus 29:38-46; Isaiah 58:13,14; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Corinthians 16:2
There are three major types of offerings, which the children of Israel were expected to give to the Lord. These were the daily, weekly and monthly offerings.
(a) The Daily Offering (Numbers 28:3-8): The daily offering was meant to include a burnt offering, meat offering and drink offering. They were to be offered both in the morning and evening. The Lord also commanded that “It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD” (Numbers 28:6). Today, we do not offer daily sacrifices to God as they did. Our daily quiet time is now our daily services (Psalm 116:17; Hebrews 13:15; Philippians 4:6).
(b) The Weekly Offering (Numbers 28:9,10): The weekly sacrifices were expected to be offered to the Lord when they gathered to worship Him on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day had been declared by God as a special day (Exodus 20:8-10). We do not observe the Sabbath day anymore, but we worship on the Lord’s day, which is the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2).
(c) The Monthly Offering (Numbers 28:11-15): A new month is heralded by a new moon and the Lord commanded the children of Israel to bring some sacrifices to offer for their sins and to worship Him. The Israelites were to observe this to reflect upon the mercies of the Lord. Youths need to know that our daily existence is as a result of God’s mercy. “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds” (Psalm 36:5).
Question 2: What lessons can Christian youths learn from these offerings?
As we look through all the offering we see the orderliness of God. He was very clear and definite on what and when they were to be offered. We are to ensure that all things are decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). As they approached the Promised Land, they were to settle in different parts of the land and God commanded them to keep the following feasts:
(1) the feast of unleavened bread (Passover) (Numbers 28:16-25; Exodus 12:8,15-20; Leviticus 23:5-8);
(2) the feast of first-fruits or Pentecost (Numbers 28:26-31);
(3) the feast of the trumpets (Numbers 29:1-6; Leviticus 23:23-25);
(4) the feast of the day of atonement (Numbers 29:7-11; Leviticus 23:26-32); and
(5) the feast of tabernacles (Numbers 29:12-38; Leviticus 23:33-41).
As New Testament saints, we are not expected to offer sacrifices of the blood of animal at any feast. Jesus Christ has been offered as a sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:26,27).
Question 3: What is the significance of the feasts to the New Testament saints?
Each of the feasts is of a special significance to the children of Israel and by extension to the Church today. The Passover was meant to celebrate the liberation of the Israelites from the captivity of Egypt. During the Passover, there was to be an offering of a lamb, which typifies Jesus Christ. We are commanded today to “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:7,8). The feast of first-fruits, which was celebrated on the day of Pentecost was held seven weeks after the harvest. The children of Israel gathered to thank God for giving and preserving their fruits till the harvest. It was a time of gratitude to God. The early Church received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). God still pours out His Spirit on those who are saved, sanctified and ready to serve Him (Acts 10:44- 46). The first day of the seventh month was to be the feast of trumpets. The children of Israel were to make the day a Sabbath day, regardless of what day it fell (Leviticus 23:23-32). Another feast in the seventh month is the day of atonement. As the name signifies, it was to be a time when the children of Israel were expected to come in deep contrition before the Lord. The final feast was the feast of Tabernacles. This feast Is also called the feast of ingathering (Exodus 23:16; 34:22), the Feast to the Lord (Leviticus 23:39; Judges 21:9), the feast of booths, or simply “the feast” (Leviticus 23:36; Deuteronomy 16:13; 1 Kings 8:2; 2 Chronicles 5:3; 7:8; Nehemiah 8:14).
2.THE PRECEPT AND COMMAND ON VOWS AND OATHS
Numbers 30:1-16; Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Psalm 66:13-15; Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 6:1-3
“If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth” (verse 2). The Lord’s command to the children of Israel here stresses the sacredness of vows or oaths made to Him. Though, a vow is voluntary, once uttered, it must be fulfilled.
Question 4: Why were the children of Israel encouraged to make vows?
Vows and oaths are not compulsory. However, in view of the innumerable benevolence of God towards them, they were encouraged to make vows to the Lord. God had unreservedly favoured the children of Israel. His matchless grace immeasurable riches have been lavished on them. However, the New Testament understanding of the concept of vows is higher than that of the Old Testament. This is in view of the supremacy and better quality of the new covenant. In the Old Testament, people generally made vows when in serious trouble, war or need. The vows were fulfilled when their requests were met.
Examples are people like Jacob (Genesis 28:20-22), the children of Israel (Numbers 21:1,2), Jephthah (Judges 11:30,38), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10) and Jonah (Jonah 2:8-10.) But in the New Testament, consecration is what is prominent. Like the Levites were consecrated to the Lord, all true believers must be consecrated to Him. All that we are, have and shall be should be consecrated to the Lord because of the priceless blood of the Lamb that redeemed us. “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). “If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth” (verse 3). This verse in our text refers to vows made by a maiden who is still dependent on her parents’ care and provision. The Lord instructed that though the youth could also make a vow to Him, however, being dependent and still under the tutorship and upbringing of her parents, her vow shall be subject to her father’s approval or disapproval. Though our text refers to a female, the principle applies to both male and female.
Questions 5: Why did the Lord subject the child’s vow to the approval of her father?
The Lord was dealing with the whole house of Israel as His people. They have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb, and have been given and taught the laws of God. Therefore, the father would know if his son or daughter’s vow is irrational, rash based on emotion. Therefore, youths must not be unreasonable in their vows, like stopping schooling in pretense of being an evangelist (Proverbs 4:1,2).
3.THE PASSIONATE CALL BY GOD FOR FELLOWSHIP
Numbers 29:39,40; 30:16; Exodus 32:26; Ezekiel 33:11-16; Matthew 11:28; John 7:37
“These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses” (Numbers 29:39,40). As we look at all these feasts and offerings, we see God’s persistent and passionate call to Israel to have fellowship with Him and walk in His ways. He gave them clear guidelines on how they were to maintain the right relationship with Him. In the same way, Jesus Christ calls youths today to walk with Him. He said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 10:9; 14:6). God is not interested that any youth should perish but that they should repent and come to the knowledge of Christ. It is, therefore, important that the right relationship is maintained between every youth and God.
Question 6: How can a youth maintain a right relationship with God?
Unsaved youths need to acknowledge their sinful state (Psalm 51:1-5), believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12); confess, repent and forsake all sins (Proverbs 28:13). Believing youths must do the following to sustain the grace of God:
(1) read and obey the word of God.
(2) Pray regularly in faith.
(3) Attend a Bible believing church.
(4) Separate from ungodly people.
(5) Serve the Lord by evangelising others.
(6) Live a holy life.