Exodus 29:38, "“Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually," outlines a key element of the sacrificial system God established for the Israelites in the Old Testament. Let's break down its meaning:
"Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar": This introduces a specific instruction regarding sacrifices to be made on the altar within the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). The altar was the central place for making atonement and offering gifts to God.
"two lambs": Lambs were common sacrificial animals, often associated with purity and innocence. They were considered valuable and appropriate for offering to God.
"a year old": The specific age of the lambs (a year old) likely indicated a point of maturity and fullness, representing the best offering. It also suggests a controlled and intentional process of selecting suitable animals.
"day by day continually": This emphasizes the constant and uninterrupted nature of the sacrifice. It wasn't a one-time event, but a daily ritual. This highlights:
Continuous Atonement: The daily offering suggests a constant need for atonement for the sins of the people.
Ongoing Dedication: It symbolizes a continuous commitment of the people to God.
Sustained Relationship: It underscores the ongoing nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
In essence, this verse mandates a daily, perpetual offering of two year-old lambs on the altar. This continual sacrifice served as a tangible reminder of the Israelites' need for atonement, their commitment to God, and the enduring nature of their covenant relationship with Him.
Symbolic Significance (Christian Perspective):
From a Christian perspective, this daily sacrifice foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Christ as the Lamb of God: Jesus is often referred to as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The lambs in the Old Testament pointed towards His ultimate sacrifice.
Once for All Atonement: While the Old Testament sacrifices needed to be repeated continually, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a one-time event that provided complete and lasting atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:10).
The End of the Old Covenant Sacrifices: With the coming of Christ, the need for these daily animal sacrifices ceased. He fulfilled the purpose of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Therefore, understanding this verse in Exodus requires considering both its immediate instructions for the Israelites and its broader symbolic meaning in the context of the entire Bible.
Exodus 29:38, "“Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually," outlines a key element of the sacrificial system God established for the Israelites in the Old Testament. Let's break down its meaning:
"Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar": This introduces a specific instruction regarding sacrifices to be made on the altar within the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). The altar was the central place for making atonement and offering gifts to God.
"two lambs": Lambs were common sacrificial animals, often associated with purity and innocence. They were considered valuable and appropriate for offering to God.
"a year old": The specific age of the lambs (a year old) likely indicated a point of maturity and fullness, representing the best offering. It also suggests a controlled and intentional process of selecting suitable animals.
"day by day continually": This emphasizes the constant and uninterrupted nature of the sacrifice. It wasn't a one-time event, but a daily ritual. This highlights:
Continuous Atonement: The daily offering suggests a constant need for atonement for the sins of the people.
Ongoing Dedication: It symbolizes a continuous commitment of the people to God.
Sustained Relationship: It underscores the ongoing nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
In essence, this verse mandates a daily, perpetual offering of two year-old lambs on the altar. This continual sacrifice served as a tangible reminder of the Israelites' need for atonement, their commitment to God, and the enduring nature of their covenant relationship with Him.
Symbolic Significance (Christian Perspective):
From a Christian perspective, this daily sacrifice foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Christ as the Lamb of God: Jesus is often referred to as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The lambs in the Old Testament pointed towards His ultimate sacrifice.
Once for All Atonement: While the Old Testament sacrifices needed to be repeated continually, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a one-time event that provided complete and lasting atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:10).
The End of the Old Covenant Sacrifices: With the coming of Christ, the need for these daily animal sacrifices ceased. He fulfilled the purpose of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Therefore, understanding this verse in Exodus requires considering both its immediate instructions for the Israelites and its broader symbolic meaning in the context of the entire Bible.