Numbers 29-30

 Observations and Interpretations

(1) Offerings ch 28-29

A. Why repeating the sacrificial laws again?

(BKC) On the eve of the conquest and occupation of Canaan it was necessary that the younger generation be instructed concerning the offerings appropriate for the settled, agricultural way of life they would soon be living.

(EBC) The offerings in chapters 28–29 should be contrasted with the offerings of chapter 15 (see 29:39). These are offerings that are demanded by the Lord, expected by him on a regular basis. Numbers 15 presented supplementary offerings that would be prompted by grateful people who respond out of joyful hearts to the Lord.

B. The daily, weekly, monthly, and the festival offerings (5 festivals per year) in these 2 chapters. Why so many?

(EBC) But these offerings were the perpetual reminders of who the people were, who their God is, and the enormity of their need to respond to him in overwhelming gratitude. For what people has ever received the blessings of deity that this people enjoyed? And what god is there who is like their God?

Application: Perhaps we did not like to be demanded to do something, especially it comes regularly. However, God intended to have regular reminders in the lives of Israel in their agricultural way of living. Are you grateful to have God in your life? Do you like to remind yourself about God in your life? What will be some appropriate reminders in our "digital way of living" today?

(2) Vow fulfillment ch 30

What is a vow? (see attached for details)

(NET) The vow was a promise to donate something of oneself or one’s substance to the LORD. The solemn oath seals the vow before the LORD, perhaps with sacrifice.

(TWOT) Almost anything that is not God’s already...can be vowed. [A vow] is a species of thank offering vowed  in return for God’s favor or as an expression of godly zeal and devotion and in praise for answered prayer.

What is an obligation?

(NET) This is usually interpreted to mean a negative vow, i.e., the person attempts to abstain from something that is otherwise permissible. It might involve fasting, or abstaining from marital sex, but it might also involve some goal to be achieved, and the abstaining from distractions until the vow is fulfilled (see Ps 132).

Note, in this passage, the vow was not prescribed by God, but once you made a vow the fulfillment is prescribed by God.

Vows made by anyone is mentioned to be kept 30:1-2, exception when vows by single woman v.3-5, by newly wedded woman v.6-8 (a vow was made before the woman was married, and she got married while her vows were still unfulfilled), by widow or divorced women v.9, by married women v.10-12. 

The Father of the single woman and the husband of the married woman has the power to overrule or nullify the vows of woman and the LORD will release her from her obligation if she could not fulfill her vow. (NET) He will pay the penalty for making her break her vows if he makes her stop what she vowed. It will not be her responsibility. v.15

While the woman has the freewill to make or not make the vow, but whether she can fulfill it or not it depends on her authority (father/husband).  E.g. the woman might swear to abstain from sexual relationship v.13 her husband might not like that and therefore he could confirm or nullify that. Their authority was recognized by God and therefore He would released the obligation from the woman

Application: In my opinion, vow are not emphasized in the NT because we are urge to give our whole life to God (Rom12:1-2). Nothing else we can vow to give to God. Are we living like our whole body has already been giving to God?

Audrey