and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD--either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast-- and you present a food offering to the LORDIn the context of ancient Israel, offerings were a central part of worship and covenant relationship with God. The term "food offering" refers to sacrifices that were made to honor God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. These offerings were not for God's sustenance but symbolized the worshiper's devotion and gratitude. The concept of presenting offerings is rooted in the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law, which served as a means for the Israelites to maintain a right relationship with God. from the herd or flock
The specification of "herd or flock" indicates that the offerings were to come from domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, or goats. These animals were valuable assets in an agrarian society, representing a significant sacrifice on the part of the worshiper. This requirement underscores the principle of giving God the best of what one has, as these animals were often the most prized possessions of the Israelites. to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD
The phrase "pleasing aroma" is a metaphorical expression indicating that the offering is acceptable and pleasing to God. It reflects the idea that God is satisfied with the worshiper's obedience and sincerity. This concept is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as Ephesians 5:2, where Christ's sacrificial love is described as a "fragrant offering" to God, drawing a parallel between Old Testament sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. either a burnt offering or a sacrifice
A "burnt offering" was a type of sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God. In contrast, a "sacrifice" could refer to various types of offerings, including peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, each with specific purposes and rituals. The burnt offering, in particular, is seen as a type of Christ, who offered Himself completely for the atonement of sin. for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast
This phrase outlines the occasions for which these offerings might be made. A "special vow" refers to a promise made to God, often in gratitude or in seeking His favor. A "freewill offering" was given voluntarily, reflecting the worshiper's love and devotion. "Appointed feasts" were specific times set by God for communal worship and celebration, such as Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. These occasions highlight the rhythm of worship and community life in Israel, pointing to the importance of regular, intentional acts of devotion. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is the recipient of the offerings. 2. IsraelitesThe people of God who are instructed to bring offerings. 3. OfferingsThese include burnt offerings, sacrifices to fulfill vows, freewill offerings, and festival offerings. 4. The TabernacleThe central place of worship where offerings are presented. 5. MosesThe leader through whom God communicates these instructions to the Israelites. Teaching Points Understanding OfferingsThe offerings in Numbers 15:3 symbolize dedication, thanksgiving, and atonement. They remind us of the importance of approaching God with reverence and gratitude. Pleasing AromaThe phrase "pleasing aroma" signifies God's acceptance and delight in the offerings. In our lives, actions and attitudes that align with God's will are like a pleasing aroma to Him. Heart of WorshipTrue worship involves more than ritual; it requires a heart fully devoted to God. Our offerings, whether in service, praise, or resources, should reflect genuine love and commitment. Fulfillment in ChristJesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system. His sacrifice on the cross is the perfect offering, making it possible for us to approach God with confidence. Living SacrificesAs believers, we are called to be living sacrifices, offering our lives in service to God. This involves daily surrender and obedience to His will. Bible Study Questions 1. What types of offerings are mentioned in Numbers 15:3, and what do they signify in the context of Israelite worship? 2. How does the concept of a "pleasing aroma" in Numbers 15:3 relate to our spiritual lives today? 3. In what ways can we present ourselves as living sacrifices, as encouraged in Romans 12:1, in our daily walk with God? 4. How does the sacrificial system in the Old Testament point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ? 5. Reflect on a time when you offered something to God (time, resources, praise) and felt it was a "pleasing aroma" to Him. What was the impact on your spiritual journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 1-7Provides detailed instructions on various offerings, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings, which are similar to those mentioned in Numbers 15:3. Hebrews 13:15-16Discusses the concept of offering sacrifices of praise and doing good, which are pleasing to God, drawing a parallel to the pleasing aroma of Old Testament sacrifices. Romans 12:1Encourages believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, echoing the idea of offerings that produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD. People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Wilderness of ParanTopics Accomplish, Appointed, Aroma, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Clearly, Connection, Feasts, Festival, Fire, Fire-offering, Flock, Fragrance, Freely, Freewill, Freewill-offering, Free-will-offering, Fulfil, Fulfill, Fulfilment, Herd, Oath, Odor, Odour, Offer, Offering, Offerings, Performance, Performing, Pleasant, Pleasing, Prepared, Regular, Sacrifice, Sacrifices, Savor, Savour, Seasons, Separating, Smell, Solemn, Soothing, Special, Sweet, Uttered, Voluntary, Vow, Vows, WhetherDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 15:3 8460 pleasing God
8488 tithing Numbers 15:1-4 4404 food Numbers 15:1-10 7368 grain offering Numbers 15:1-12 1680 types
4456 grain Numbers 15:2-4 5741 vows Library List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the MessiahWe are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 15:3 NIVNumbers 15:3 NLTNumbers 15:3 ESVNumbers 15:3 NASBNumbers 15:3 KJV
Numbers 15:3 Commentaries
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