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MORE LAST MINUTE REMINDERS FROM GOD
As we come to Numbers Chapter 29, God is still reminding Moses of detailed instructions to remind the people to continue to follow. Moses will not be there to keep them straight when they wander off the beaten path and get lost. They MUST remember themselves now, even though Joshua will be there to help out.
We have already discussed some of the offerings that must be remembered. These last three reminders are about Fall Holy Days; specifically the bringing of the offerings that are required on these days.
THE OFFERINGS FOR THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS
Before he climbs up the mountain one last time, Moses reminds the people of the importance of keeping the first day of the seventh month (The Feast of Trumpets and/or Rosh Hashanah.) They are to observe this annual day with a holy convocation, as a High Sabbath with no servile work and to carry out the blowing of trumpets.
Now I’ve observed The Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah in a Messianic way for almost 40 years.
This isn’t new news or a new requirement.
You can read other blog articles we have written about the subject here: APPLES AND HONEY FOR A CHRISTIAN CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS 2019 – ROSH HASHANAH FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE – SEASONS_THE RAM’S HORN – A FEAST OF TRUMPETS MEDITATION_ON THE FIRST DAY OF FOREVER – MEDITATIONS FOR THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS_HAVE YOU HEARD THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR?.
Just as a curiosity though; since we now have a President in the United States named Trump; my ears always perk up a bit whenever I hear anything new about The Feast of Trumpets.
Many present day prophets are thinking that his last name ties in with certain end-time prophecies. They wonder and wait to see if Christ will return on The Feast of Trumpets; or if some significant event will take place. If you have followed these days as long as I have; you KNOW that each annual holy day is an event to remember forever.
But; is the name itself (Trump) related at all?
I’m certainly not saying they are; but it never hurts to listen again. Many seem to think so. I am still making up my mind about this. The only sure advice I can give you about this question is that whenever you hear an end-time prophecy being stated; ask God to reveal the truth to you; then listen again very carefully to His answer. If God is silent; it is not time for you to know.
However; the main subject around these last instructions to Moses from God seemed, once again, to be centered around the giving of offerings.
The Feast of Trumpets is yet another time that offerings are required.
God calls them “a sweet savor” and He requires specifically one young bullock, one ram and seven lambs of the first year without blemish. All of these are offered along with grain offerings according to each, and drink offerings.
There is a separate mention of a “kid of the goats” for a sin offering. This last mentioned offering is for atonement of sins.
This brings us to the part of the reminders that have to do with keeping The Day of Atonement, which always comes 10 days after The Feast of Trumpets.
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
Through Moses; for the last time now, God reminds His people to “afflict their souls” on this holy day, which is always the tenth day of the seventh month on God’s calendar.
That phrase “afflict your souls” means to fast during this time. The Day of Atonement is not a feast day; but it is a fast day. If you want to know more; you can read our articles about this very sacred and special day by clicking into these links: WHY FAST ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT_TWO SILVER TRUMPETS_“I WILL GO UP TO THE LORD; PERHAPS I CAN MAKE ATONEMENT FOR YOUR SINS” – COME AS A CHILD – LESSON 179_REVIEW FOR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT – THE MERCY SEAT – COME AS A CHILD – LESSON 158__PURIFICATION WITH WATER FROM THE ASHES OF THE RED HEIFER .
So Moses re-emphasizes God’s instructions for The Day of Atonement to the people of Israel.
This is one last reminder of what to do and how to go about the day. We saw God give this information in Exodus and Leviticus; now we hear the same instructions in the book of Numbers. When God says something three times; it is a sign that this is very important and should always be remembered.
The people are especially and specifically reminded of the fact that offerings are required during these days and they must not be overlooked. There are burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and offerings for atonement of sin.
The sin offering of the Day of Atonement is for the cleansing of the sins of the nation.
Today there is no need to bring an offering for sin if you belong to Jesus Christ; because His blood covers you and allows God to see only your good qualities; the things that God created you to be. His blood covers and atones for our sins.
The other offerings though; they are still required.
In these days; we can no longer bring animal sacrifices to a common temple; (that is no longer required) but we should bring a portion of the money that we obtain from the work of our hands. This part should be given to God before we spend any of the rest of it on ourselves.
Where the ancient world evolved around agriculture and flocks; today’s offerings would be from the first portion of whatever God has blessed us with which we earned from the fruit of whatever labors we do to make a living today. The first and the best of everything always belongs to God as an offering of our thanks and a way of saying; we know where our provision comes from. We are only giving God back a portion of what He has already possessed and loaned to us for safekeeping. Everything belongs to God; we are simply the temporary keepers of his earthly treasures.
Some offerings are more spiritual than physical.
On the Day of Atonement, we offer up our fasting along with our prayers of repentance for any sins of the current year, along with the physical results of the labor of our hands.
Whatever God has blessed us with; we will offer back a portion to Him in the spirit of thanksgiving and honor.
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month of God’s calendar is the Feast of Tabernacles.
This feast unto The Lord lasts for seven days and culminates on the 8th day; The Great Last Day.
God requires His people to remember this annual feast and festival and to honor Him with their offerings each day during this time.
Special offerings of all types are to be brought before God from His people as they gather annually for this feast.
We have written several in-depth articles about The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot; if you wish to review them here: THEREFORE; LET US KEEP THE FEAST! – A CHRISTIAN CELEBRATION OF SUKKOT – SEASONSKEEP THE FEAST OF WEEKS AND INGATHERING – COME AS A CHILD – LESSON 194.BUILDING A SUKKAH FOR THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES – SEASONS
GOD REQUIRES OFFERINGS ON THE HOLY DAYS
Moses once again obediently reminded the people of God that it was important for them to always keep the feasts of God. They should constantly observe their vows before God. It was required that the bringing of the freewill offerings was always carried out and the bringing of the burnt offerings, the meat offerings and the drink offerings and the peace offerings that God had spelled out to them be carefully observed.
So Moses was careful to instruct the remembrance of all of these things.
Not only are they reminders to the people of old; but they are reminders to us today.
For every physical offering specified above; there is a spiritual offering that can stand in its place.
Today God requires our spiritual offerings and that can happen in a million different forms of service. We must stay mindful of this fact. We cannot let the knowledge that the animal sacrifices were done away with keep us from continuing to bring our spiritual offerings into God’s treasury.
God commanded Moses to remind us of these things.
Our Father created each of us with something to offer. It is crucially important, now more than ever; that we discover these traits and implement them into our lives. One way to discover the traits that God has blessed you with and the purposes that He has mapped out for your life is to participate in the devotions related to the counting of the omer.
The attributes of God are put into easy to understand language and we can study the ways that we can imitate to learn to be more like Him. These attributes will help us to grow ever closer to God.
If you wish to learn more about this process that always occurs during and after Passover; these links may help you: PASSOVER WEEK – LOOKING AT EARLY FIRST FRUITS AND COUNTING THE OMER COMING INTO THE SPRING HOLY DAYS, COUNTING THE OMER – PART ONE – EARLY FIRST FRUITS SEASONS – COMING INTO THE SPRING HOLY DAYS – COUNTING THE OMER – PART TWO – HISTORY MARCHES ON WITH THE GIVING OF THE FIRST FRUITS OFFERINGSSEASONS – COMING INTO THE SPRING HOLY DAYS – COUNTING THE OMER – (PART THREE).
By all means; the people of God must still be bringing their offerings before God, both physical offerings and spiritual offerings.
WALKING OUT LIFE PURPOSES AS OFFERINGS
Joy S. Golliver once noted that we all have but two purposes in life; “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
I think this theory serves well to discuss God’s intentions for us as we all continue to bring our offerings before Him; especially the ones that we bring to His holy days, feasts and festivals.
How wonderful that Moses took the time; even as he knew he was at death’s door; to stop and remind us all of these truths. Though his heart must have been breaking to go on into the Promised Land with the people; he still poured out himself as an offering of love; even if it meant he would not be with them. This is truly devoted and unselfish love.
In the end of the days of Moses we see just how truly devoted and loving Moses really was toward God’s holy nation of Israel.
God had truly picked the right leader to begin the long shadow that led up to the days of The Messiah.
Let us never stop bringing our offerings before such a loving, merciful and kind God.