Numbers 29 IMPORTANT DAYS In the course of our living from day to day we can get very used to our own habits and ways of doing things until life becomes so routine it can get boring. The infinite wisdom of our gracious Father provided a way that we would know ahead of time that special days were set aside to meet together with others of God's people. Two weeks after each year began was the first of the festivals God designated for His people to attend. The Passover was a reminder that God brought them out of bondage into freedom because of the sacrifice of an innocent, sinless victim. In the specified protocol they were to follow, the objective was to focus the minds and hearts of God's people on what satisfied and brought delight to God. We are able to share in that holy joy today when we come together and are occupied with the virtues and work of our Savior. This lifts us above mere New year's resolutions to focusing our attention on what God wants from us in the year ahead.
For the whole week this gathering in fellowship and for fellowship, continued. The fourteenth day of the first month was the first feast, the Passover, speaking 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, that speaks to us of righteousness imparted to us because of the redemptive sacrifice of Christ that paid for our sins. Then came the feast of First fruits when they presented the first reaping of the harvest to the Lord in grateful appreciation for the provision God made for them when the seed that went into the ground and died, brought forth the fullness of the harvest. That teaches us of the value of the resurrection. That "corn of wheat" has brought forth "much fruit." Fifty days later at the beginning of the harvest of wheat, they came together for the feast of Weeks with the first of the wheat harvest to give to God. This is a type of the Holy Spirit coming and the two loaves remind us that Jews and Gentiles are made into "one new man" in our Lord Jesus Christ.
After four months of busy hard labor, another time of festival was designated by God for His people to come together. Six months of the year had passed, and it is easy to settle into a spiritually lethargic state of mind if we are not careful. Six months after the Passover had been celebrated, the sound of the trumpets over the land signaled the beginning of the fall festivals with the feast of Trumpets when God's people came together again in holy convocation. Three important celebrations took place as the people of God came together to be revived in their spiritual lives. Now there would be time for looking back with grateful hearts, but also of looking ahead into the future. The ceremony of the blowing trumpets was a solemn one in which the first day of the seventh month was one of worship and participation in the ceremony of offering the sacrifices. When God's people come together on special days, our first attention should be on the One to whom we are gathered, our Lord Jesus Christ.
One that first day of the seventh month, there would be added to the daily sacrifice and the monthly sacrifice, one bull, one ram, seven lambs, one goat and the additional grain and drink offerings. In each of the sacrifices made on the festival days, there was one goat offered. That sin offering was to protect the people of God from sins of ignorance and ritual uncleanness. This is contrasted with the large burnt offering that was made and directed the attention of everyone to that which God was getting from them. It is important for us to appreciate and share in fellowship 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 too share in that center of attention by bringing our offerings of appreciation for our Lord and all He is, has done, is doing, and will yet do to bring glory to God and blessing to men.
Ten days later was a very solemn day, the Day of Atonement. On that day the sweet-savor offerings were made. But on that day sin had to be faced and atonement for sin made. There would be sorrow for sin, repentance, and cleansing all in view as the people of God faced the fact that God intended them to be a holy people separated to Himself. That day when the extra sacrifices increased the volume of smoke and incense rising to God, they were pointed to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. There would be an understanding again of the value of reconciliation made by blood. The high priest entering into the holiest of all, and all of the activities of that day remind us of ourselves. First we had to face our sin. 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 the presence of God 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 started five days later with a solemn ceremony when thirteen bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, one goat and the meal offering and drink offerings were made. What a volume of praise this cloud of smoke would indicate was ascending to God that first day. Before the feast of Tabernacles (booths where the people camped out for a week) was finished, seventy young bulls were offered in the sweet-savor offering, beside the two rams and fourteen lambs each day. The number of the bulls decreased by one each day. The united worship of all of God's people on that first day would have set a spiritual tone for the whole week that followed. Those feasts provide a legitimate opportunity for enjoyment for God's people within the context of a moral and spiritual environment. Holidays then were true 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 in which the Holy Spirit guides us. There are both short terms and long terms benefits when we unite together with those from other places for worship and fellowship. There is rest from the normal daily labor of our occupation; there is a change of mind as our attention is directed toward spiritual things. There often comes a change of attitude in relation to who we are and why we are here when we meet in conferences. The conference gatherings of God's people often leads us to reflect on the past as we share the ways of God with us since we last met. It is also a time when we show our commitment to God, His word and His people. At those times we are challenged to give something of value to Him. It may be the cost of one or more "bulls" that we think are worth a lot to us, but as a sacrifice to God they are worth far more. It may be that someone or more might "present their bodies, a living sacrifice."
It is a valuable and important time when Christians come together to rejoice in the Lord [Phil.4:4] and to give thanks to God continuously [1Thes.5:18] for all His blessings and gifts, and to marvel at His on-going grace and love to us.
Numbers 29: 1. “And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing of the trumpets unto you.”
AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Come together – celebrate – September has come and the great gatherings! Routines are suspended – work is stopped – people come from everywhere. It is time for refreshment – of body and mind.
Renewal happens when God’s people gather. The body has a time to rest from daily labor. Commitments are reviewed and renewed. The Trumpets blow – music is in the air!
It takes time to get ready to worship. Attitude adjustments are made. We get a proper perspective again – of who we are. We are reminded as we fellowship with others – of our God. We share our thoughts, our hymns, our songs of praise. God is in our thoughts – continuously – all day. The Trumpets blow – we gather unto Him!
The time comes for holy mourning – the sacrifice is offered. The priest goes into the tabernacle – and inside the veil, Our breath is caught – anxiety – tension mounts. Then the priest returns – the offering is accepted. God is satisfied and our commitment shows. Quiet reflection as we talk with those of like precious faith. The Day of Atonement – has come!
Joy breaks out on every side – tabernacles – booths are erected. Happy people call one to the other through the night air. For eight days we bring our sacrifices. Commitment shows when we give something of value. Bullocks – the best we have – come led to the altar. The countdown begins – thirteen on day one – one less each day. The Feast of Tabernacles – a time of great joy!
The gifts are exchanged – people dress in their finest. Open house is everywhere – processions – music. Fellowship is expressed in as many ways as possible. We have come – we have brought our best – we have given. But now comes the real test of this convocation: 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.”