IMPORTANT DAYS. Numbers 29 Throughout our lives, day by day, we can become so accustomed to our habits and routines that life turns into something monotonous and potentially boring. The infinite wisdom of our gracious Father has given us a way to know in advance about special days set aside for gathering with others of God's people. These special occasions remind us of what matters most in life and highlight the truth that eternal values outweigh worldly pursuits. Without these spiritual holidays, which provide a break from the pressures of daily work or the fleeting joys of worldly attractions, we miss out on the spiritual and soulful refreshment that is the true rest for God's people.
What is called the “seventh month” in this chapter marks the start of Israel’s civil new year. Today, we recognize it as “Rosh Hashanah.” It began with the Feast of Trumpets, where ram’s horn trumpets were blown as Israel gathered during a very special month of the year. The Feast of Trumpets started with a gathering of the people to celebrate and worship God. No work was done on this day of rejoicing and reunion, as people came together to enjoy fellowship. This provided a day for them to reflect on their identity as God's people and to ensure they had the right attitude toward God and His people before the solemn Day of Atonement that followed. Sacrifices and offerings were made as they focused their attention on the things of God.
On the tenth day of the seventh month was the Day of Atonement, known as “Yom Kippur.” The people gathered together, but it was a solemn day of fasting and quiet reflection. They watched the appropriate offerings and the ritual, in which the high priest would go behind the veil to bring the blood of the sacrifice and place it on and before the mercy seat.
The third festival in the seventh month was the Feast of Tabernacles, which began on the fifteenth day and lasted for seven days. There was a gathering at first, but no work was allowed because the celebration spanned the entire week. In the future, people were to dwell outdoors in temporary shelters to remind them of their lives in the wilderness. Sacrifices were offered every day, including bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and drink offerings.
In the protocol they were to follow, the goal was to focus the minds and hearts of God's people on what satisfies and delights God. We can share in that holy joy today by gathering together and engaging with the virtues and work of our Savior. This elevates us beyond mere New Year’s resolutions, helping us focus on what God desires from us in the coming year.
The religious year started with what is called “the first month of the year to you.” It began with Passover on the fourteenth day of the month, followed the next day by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasted for seven days. During that week, on the sixteenth day, there was the Feast of First Fruits. For the entire week, this gathering in fellowship continued. The fourteenth day of the first month was the first feast, Passover, which speaks to us of redemption. Israel was redeemed by the blood of the Pascal Lamb, and that was not to be forgotten by the children of Israel. The next day, the fifteenth, was the second of seven feasts, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which speaks to us of righteousness given to us because of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice that paid for our sins. Then came the Feast of First Fruits, when they presented the first harvest to the Lord in grateful thanks for the provision God made for them—when the seed that went into the ground and died brought forth a full harvest. This teaches us the value of the resurrection. That "corn of wheat" has brought forth "much fruit." Fifty days later, at the start of the wheat harvest, they gathered for the Feast of Weeks, offering the first of the wheat harvest to God. This is a type of the Holy Spirit coming, and the two loaves remind us that Jews and Gentiles are united as "one new man" in our Lord Jesus Christ.
After four months of busy, hard work, God designated another time of festival for His people to come together. Six months had passed, and within that time, it's easy to slip into a spiritually lazy state if we're not careful. Six months after celebrating the Passover, the sound of trumpets throughout the land marked the start of the fall festivals with the Feast of Trumpets, when God's people gathered again in holy convocation. Three key celebrations took place as God's people united to renew their spiritual lives. Now, there would be moments to reflect with gratitude and also to look forward to what’s ahead. The trumpet-blowing ceremony was solemn, and the first day of the seventh month was a time of worship and offering sacrifices. When God's people gather on special days, our primary focus should be on the One we are worshiping—our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the first day of the seventh month, an additional sacrifice was added to the daily and monthly offerings. This included one bull, one ram, seven lambs, one goat, along with extra grain and drink offerings. During each festival sacrifice, one goat was offered. That sin offering was meant to protect the people of God from sins of ignorance and ritual uncleanness. This contrasts with the large burnt offering, which was directed at showing what God was receiving from them.
It is important for us to appreciate and share with others what Christ did for us when He saved us from our sins. But more important is what God sees in Christ and His finished work. We also share in that focus by offering our appreciation for our Lord and all He is, has done, is doing, and will continue to do to bring glory to God and blessings to men.
Ten days later, a very solemn day arrived—the Day of Atonement. On that day, the offering of sweet-savor sacrifices was made. Sin had to be confronted, and atonement was sought for it. There was sorrow for sin, repentance, and cleansing, all as the people of God recognized that He intended them to be a holy people, set apart for Himself. When the special sacrifices increased the volume of smoke and incense ascending to God, they pointed to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Once again, there was an understanding of the importance of reconciliation through blood. The high priest entering the holiest of all, along with all the activities of that day, remind us of ourselves.
First, we had to confront our sins. The Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, bore "our sins in His own body on the tree." We have been reconciled and justified by the blood of Christ. He is our Great High Priest who has entered into God's presence for us with His own blood. The atoning blood of Christ redeems [1Pet.1:18-19]; cleanses [1Jn.1:9]; pardons [Eph.1:17]; justifies [Rom.5:9]; sanctifies [Heb.13:12]; and brings peace [Col.1:20].
The feast of Tabernacles began five days later with a solemn ceremony, during which thirteen bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and one goat, along with the meal offering and drink offerings, were made. What a volume of praise this cloud of smoke must have represented as ascending to God that first day! Before the feast of Tabernacles (which involved booths where the people camped out for a week) was over, seventy young bulls were offered in the sweet-savor offering, in addition to the two rams and fourteen lambs each day. The number of bulls decreased by one each day. The collective worship of all God's people on that first day would have set a spiritual tone for the entire week that followed. These feasts provide a genuine opportunity for God's people to enjoy within a moral and spiritual environment. Holidays then truly were holy days.
When the people of God come together, it is a time of spiritual refreshment to focus our attention on our spiritual life and well-being, guided by the Holy Spirit. There are both short-term and long-term benefits when we unite with others from different places for worship and fellowship. We find rest from our normal daily work; our minds shift as we focus on spiritual matters. Often, there is a change in attitude regarding who we are and why we are here when we gather at conferences.
The gathering of God's people at the conference often prompts us to reflect on the past as we share how God has been with us since we last met. It is also a time when we demonstrate our commitment to God, His word, and His people. During these moments, we are encouraged to give something valuable to Him. It might be the cost of one or more "bulls" that we consider precious, but as a sacrifice to God, they are worth much more. It could also be that one or more individuals might "present their bodies, a living sacrifice."
It is a precious and meaningful time when Christians come together to rejoice in the Lord [Phil.4:4] and to give thanks to God continually [1Thes.5:18] for all His blessings and gifts, marveling at His ongoing grace and love to us. Come together—celebrate; September has arrived, and the great gatherings of God’s people take place! The regular routines of daily life are paused, and work stops as people gather from everywhere. It is a time for refreshment of body and mind. Renewal occurs when God’s people assemble. The body gets a rest from daily labor, and our minds are refocused on what truly matters—eternal things. Commitments are reviewed and renewed. The trumpets sound, music fills the air, and fellowship rings out as voices join in songs of praise! United in prayer, God’s people bow before Him in supplications, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving.
It takes time to prepare to worship. Attitude adjustments are made so we regain a proper perspective of who we are and why God has placed us in the world. We are reminded, as we join in heartfelt fellowship with others, of our God and our countless blessings from His grace. We share our thoughts, hymns, and songs of praise, and we focus on God and His word. God is in our thoughts constantly—throughout the day. The trumpets blow as we gather unto Him!
The time arrives for sacred mourning, and the paradox of joy and sorrow blending occurs as the sacrifice of praise is offered. Like the priest of old who entered the Tabernacle and went behind the veil, our breath is held in holy reverence and a touch of anxiety because we enter the presence of the Most Holy God, creating a spiritual tension. Our Great High Priest has entered God's presence for us and opened the veil so we, as worshipping priests, can enter. We offer praise, thanksgiving, and humble giving—the offering is accepted because we are “accepted in the Beloved.” God is pleased, and our commitment shows. Quiet reflection touches our hearts as we join with those of “like precious faith.” The Day of Atonement has arrived!
In Israel, joy erupted everywhere as simple booths were set up to live in for a week. Happy people called out to each other through the night air. For eight days, they offered their sacrifices. True commitment shows when we give something valuable to the Lord. They brought bullocks—the best they had—and led them to the altar. The countdown started at thirteen on the first day, decreasing by one each day afterward. The Feast of Tabernacles was a time of great joy!
When important days are celebrated, gifts are exchanged—people wear their finest attire. Open houses are everywhere, and there are processions, harmonious music, and songs of praise and thanksgiving flowing from full hearts. Fellowship is expressed in as many ways as possible. We have come, we have brought our best, and we have gladly given to the Lord what He has prospered us with. But now comes the true test of this gathering: Have I given myself—given without reservation—no holding back? “I am the Lord’s—O joy beyond expression!”
“Father God, when I go to this conference, may I go in a spirit of expectancy, not complacency or apathy. Not with criticism or comparison, but with joy in the Holy Ghost, with faith unfeigned, with contagious enthusiasm. May God be honored in every conversation. May the Word of Christ dwell in me richly. May I be willing to give as well as to receive! May what I give, be given in the spirit of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Amen.”