Numbers 15:9
present with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of olive oil.
you are to present
This phrase indicates a command, emphasizing the act of offering as a deliberate and obedient response to God's instructions. The Hebrew root for "present" is "qarab," which means to draw near or approach. This reflects the spiritual act of coming closer to God through offerings, symbolizing a heart willing to submit and honor the divine will.

with the bull
The bull, or "par" in Hebrew, was a significant sacrificial animal in ancient Israelite worship. It symbolized strength and was often used in offerings for atonement and dedication. The choice of a bull underscores the importance and solemnity of the sacrifice, representing a substantial commitment to God.

a grain offering
The grain offering, or "minchah" in Hebrew, was a tribute to God, often accompanying burnt offerings. It symbolized the fruits of human labor and gratitude for God's provision. This offering was a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where they acknowledge His sovereignty and blessings.

of three-tenths of an ephah
An ephah was a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 gallons. The specific measure of three-tenths signifies precision and care in worship, highlighting that God desires intentional and thoughtful offerings, not haphazard or careless ones.

of fine flour
Fine flour, or "solet" in Hebrew, was the best quality flour, indicating that offerings to God should be of the highest quality. This reflects the principle of giving God our best, not leftovers, and symbolizes purity and refinement in our spiritual lives.

mixed with half a hin of oil
A hin was a unit of liquid measure, approximately 3.7 liters or about 1 gallon. Oil, often olive oil, was a valuable commodity in ancient times, used for anointing and as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Mixing oil with the grain offering signifies the blending of human effort with divine presence, illustrating that our works are sanctified and empowered by God's Spirit.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws and commandments from God, including the instructions in Numbers 15.

2. Israelites
The people to whom the laws were given, as they journeyed through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.

3. Young Bull
An animal used in sacrificial offerings, symbolizing strength and value.

4. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice that was completely consumed by fire, representing total dedication to God.

5. Peace Offering
A sacrifice made to express gratitude and fellowship with God, often shared in a communal meal.
Teaching Points
Understanding Sacrifice
The sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. It teaches us about the cost of sin and the need for atonement.

Total Dedication
The burnt offering, being wholly consumed, symbolizes complete surrender to God. As believers, we are called to dedicate every aspect of our lives to Him.

Peace with God
The peace offering signifies reconciliation and fellowship with God. Through Christ, we have peace with God and are invited into a relationship with Him.

Fulfillment of Vows
Making and fulfilling vows to God is a serious commitment. This teaches us the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our promises to God and others.

Community and Worship
Sacrifices were often communal events, highlighting the importance of community in worship. We are encouraged to gather and worship together, fostering unity and support.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of sacrifice in Numbers 15:9 help us understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?

2. In what ways can we offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" in our daily lives, as encouraged in Romans 12:1?

3. What does the peace offering teach us about our relationship with God and others?

4. How can we ensure that we are faithful in fulfilling our vows and commitments to God and those around us?

5. What role does community play in our worship and spiritual growth, and how can we actively participate in it?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 1
Provides detailed instructions on how burnt offerings were to be conducted, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice in worship.

Hebrews 10
Discusses the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, connecting Old Testament sacrifices to the New Covenant.

Romans 12:1
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the dedication symbolized by burnt offerings.
God Giving Laws for the Distant FutureD. Young Numbers 15:1-16
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Best, Bring, Bull, Bullock, Cereal, Deals, Ephah, Fine, Flour, Grain, Half, Herd, Hin, Meal, Meal-offering, Measure, Meat, Meat-offering, Mingled, Mixed, Oblation, Offer, Offering, Oil, One-half, Ox, Present, Presented, Tenth, Tenths, Three-tenth, Three-tenths
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 15:1-10

     7368   grain offering

Numbers 15:1-12

     1680   types
     4456   grain

Numbers 15:4-9

     5616   measures, dry

Numbers 15:4-10

     5617   measures, liquid

Numbers 15:8-9

     7368   grain offering

Numbers 15:8-10

     5741   vows

Library
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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