Numbers 28
Deuteronomy 28 presents the covenant consequences of obedience and disobedience. Verses 1–14 describe blessings associated with listening to the LORD's commands, while verses 15–68 give an extended warning about the curses that follow covenant unfaithfulness.
1verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2verse“Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘See that you present my offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, as a pleasant aroma to me, in their due season.’
3verseYou shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to the LORD: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
4verseYou shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening,
5versewith one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil.
6verseIt is a continual burnt offering which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
7verseIts drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for each lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the LORD in the holy place.
8verseThe other lamb you shall offer at evening. As the meal offering of the morning, and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
9verse“‘On the Sabbath day, you shall offer two male lambs a year old without defect, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, and its drink offering:
10versethis is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.
11verse“‘In the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect,
12verseand three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, for the one ram;
13verseand one tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb, as a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
14verseTheir drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
15verseAlso, one male goat for a sin offering to the LORD shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.
16verse“‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is the LORD’s Passover.
17verseOn the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days.
18verseIn the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work,
19versebut you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They shall be without defect,
20versewith their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil. You shall offer three tenths for a bull, and two tenths for the ram.
21verseYou shall offer one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs;
22verseand one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you.
23verseYou shall offer these in addition to the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.
24verseIn this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD. It shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.
25verseOn the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.
26verse“‘Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to the LORD in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work;
27versebut you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old;
28verseand their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths for each bull, two tenths for the one ram,
29verseone tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs;
30verseand one male goat, to make atonement for you.
31verseBesides the continual burnt offering and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.
Blessings for Obedience (Verses 1–14)
The blessings include fruitfulness, agricultural abundance, security, victory over enemies, and Israel being recognized among the nations as a people belonging to the LORD. The language is comprehensive, describing the well-being of the whole covenant community in city and field, home and work, public life and national security.
Warnings for Disobedience (Verses 15–68)
The curses are described at much greater length than the blessings. They include disease, drought, crop failure, defeat, social breakdown, siege, exile, and fear. The severe language is meant to warn Israel that covenant unfaithfulness has communal, historical, and spiritual consequences.
Overall Message
The chapter should not be reduced to a simple formula that every individual success or hardship directly proves obedience or disobedience. In its original setting, it presents Israel's covenant responsibilities as a nation entering the land. The central issue is whether the people will live in faithful relationship with the LORD and embody the justice and holiness required by the covenant.
Points for Reflection
- How does this chapter describe the seriousness of covenant faithfulness?
- Why might the warnings be longer and more detailed than the blessings?
- How can communities consider the long-term consequences of their shared choices?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Reflect on how your choices affect not only yourself but also the people around you.
- Consider one area where obedience, justice, or faithfulness needs to become more concrete in daily life.
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