Exodus 29:38: “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old.”
Extended Explanation
Exodus 29:38 introduces the daily offerings that the Israelites were commanded to present on the altar. God instructed Moses to offer two lambs every day—one in the morning and one in the evening. These lambs were to be a year old, symbolizing their maturity and purity, making them suitable for sacrifice. The daily offering was a regular, ongoing act of worship and dedication to God, emphasizing the continual nature of the Israelites’ relationship with Him.
The daily offering served as a constant reminder to the people of Israel of their dependence on God and their need to continually seek His favor. It was an act of obedience, worship, and atonement that underscored the importance of maintaining a consistent, daily connection with God. The regularity of this offering highlighted the ongoing nature of God’s provision and care for His people, as well as their responsibility to honor Him with their lives.
Historical Context
In the historical context of ancient Israel, the daily sacrifice was central to the worship practices established by God. The Israelites were a people set apart for God’s purposes, and their daily sacrifices were a tangible expression of their commitment to Him. The two lambs offered each day symbolized the nation’s ongoing need for atonement and their desire to remain in right relationship with God.
The daily offering was part of a broader sacrificial system that included various types of sacrifices, each with its own specific purpose. The morning and evening sacrifices were particularly significant because they bookended the day, serving as constant reminders of God’s presence and the people’s dependence on Him from dawn until dusk.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Exodus 29:38 highlights the importance of regular, ongoing worship and the need for continual atonement. The daily offering of lambs symbolizes the need for a consistent relationship with God, one that is maintained through regular acts of worship and obedience. It reflects the understanding that sin is a daily reality, and therefore, atonement and reconciliation with God must also be a daily practice.
This verse also points to the idea that worship is not just a weekly or occasional activity but a daily discipline. The daily sacrifices were a way for the Israelites to keep their focus on God throughout their lives, acknowledging His sovereignty and their dependence on His grace.
Literary Analysis
Exodus 29:38 is a straightforward verse that introduces the daily sacrifice as part of the broader instructions for worship in the tabernacle. The language is clear and directive, emphasizing the regularity and consistency of the offerings. This verse is part of a larger section in Exodus that details the ordination of the priests and the establishment of the tabernacle, reflecting the careful and deliberate approach God requires in worship.
The mention of “two lambs a year old” highlights the importance of offering the best to God. The lambs were to be of the highest quality, symbolizing the Israelites’ dedication and reverence in their worship practices.
Biblical Cross-References
Several other biblical passages relate to the themes found in Exodus 29:38:
- Numbers 28:3-4: These verses provide additional details about the daily sacrifices, emphasizing their regularity and significance in Israel’s worship.
- Psalm 141:2: David compares his prayers to the evening sacrifice, highlighting the ongoing nature of worship and devotion to God.
- Romans 12:1: Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, reflecting the idea of continual, daily dedication to God.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Exodus 29:38 serves as a reminder of the importance of daily devotion to God. Just as the Israelites were commanded to offer two lambs each day, believers are called to maintain a consistent, daily relationship with God through prayer, worship, and obedience. This verse challenges us to consider whether we are offering our best to God each day and whether our lives reflect a daily commitment to Him.
The concept of daily sacrifice also encourages Christians to view their daily routines as opportunities for worship. Whether through acts of service, prayer, or simply living in a way that honors God, believers are called to continually offer themselves to God, reflecting His presence in their lives.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Exodus 29:38 reflects God’s love in His desire for a continuous relationship with His people. By commanding the daily sacrifices, God was providing a way for the Israelites to remain in constant communion with Him. This verse shows that God’s love is not just occasional but is something that He offers and desires to experience with His people every day.
God’s love is also evident in the provision He made for atonement. The daily sacrifices were a means by which the Israelites could receive forgiveness and maintain a right relationship with God. This provision reflects God’s loving care and His desire for His people to live in fellowship with Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Exodus 29:38 connects to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system. While the Israelites needed to offer lambs every day, Jesus offered Himself once for all as the perfect Lamb of God. His sacrifice on the cross made continual, daily atonement unnecessary, as He fully accomplished what the daily sacrifices symbolized.
In John 1:29, John the Baptist refers to Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This connection highlights that through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers are brought into a continual, unbroken relationship with God, one that is maintained not through daily sacrifices but through faith in Christ.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does the command for daily sacrifices in Exodus 29:38 challenge us to think about the importance of daily devotion and worship in our own lives?
- In what ways can we ensure that we are offering our best to God each day, as symbolized by the daily offering of lambs?
- How does this verse encourage us to view our daily routines as opportunities for worship and dedication to God?
- What does it mean for us to live lives that reflect a continuous, daily commitment to God, following the example of the Israelites in their daily sacrifices?
- How can we show gratitude for the way Jesus, our ultimate sacrifice, has made it possible for us to live in continual fellowship with God, without the need for daily sacrifices?