Numbers 29 Study Notes

The acts of self-denial included fasting, leading to the day being called “The Fast” in later Judaism. Other restrictions included any activities that brought comfort and pleasure. The work of Christ on the cross brought fulfillment to the ritual of the Day of Atonement. Functioning as a high priest of a superior order—of Melchizedek (Heb 7:17-28)—Christ offered himself as a once-for-all, eternal sacrifice (Heb 9:11-28). His work accomplished redemption from sin and cleansed our guilty consciences (Heb 10:19-22).

29:12-38 The longest section of these two chapters is devoted to a description of the daily offerings of the Festival of Shelters (or Tabernacles or Booths; Hb sukkoth). The first day of the festival and the appended eighth day were considered Sabbaths for sacred assembly. The sukkah was a hut or tent constructed in imitation of the dwellings of early Israelites during the wilderness period, when God provided what was needed for protection. In Lv 23:39-43 the Israelites were instructed to erect huts in future generations as a reminder of God’s protection and provision in the wilderness. First called the Festival of Ingathering (Ex 23:16), the celebration commemorated God’s provision in the fall harvest of the vegetable crops, the vineyards, and finally the olive orchards. The association of Shelters with the exodus from Egypt provided a continuation of the salvation/redemption/providence/preservation motifs of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost.

29:39-40 Moses faithfully accomplished the task assigned to him by God as he instructed the Israelite priests on the proper procedure for commemorating and celebrating God’s goodness in the holy days of the calendar.