Correlating the Spring and Fall Burnt Offerings
The feasts of Israel were special observances designed to help Israel recall the many blessings and providences of God. They were observed in both the spring and fall of the year. Before addressing the feasts of Israel it may be helpful to examine the basic meaning of burnt offerings.
THE PEOPLE’S BURNT OFFERINGS
As described in Leviticus 1, any Israelite was free to bring a personal offering as an expression of gratitude. The individual would lay his hands on the animal’s head and kill it beside the altar. He would then flay it and wash the inwards and legs. After this the priests would sprinkle the blood around the altar and lay the animal parts on the altar. The priests cared for the legal aspects of dealing with the blood and the altar while the individual provided the sacrifice. This active participation of the individual with the priest foreshadows the wonderful cooperation between mankind and the antitypical priesthood.
The various types of animals offered, from bulls to fowl, represent different levels of ability and appreciation. The offering of a bull suggests a full, unreserved consecration, while the lesser animals depict simple offerings of thanksgiving. In each case, the antitypical priesthood will be required to guide people in making an acceptable offering. These offerings are described as “a sweet savor unto the Lord” (Leviticus 1:17).
THE FEAST OF PASSOVER
The week-long Feast of Passover was the spring feast instituted as a remembrance of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 13:3, 4). The people were instructed to eat unleavened bread during the feast. In addition, the following animals were offered on each day of the week: 2 bullocks, 1 ram and 7 lambs, a total of seventy animals (Numbers 28:19, 22). These were each designated as burnt offerings and were described as a “sweet savor unto the Lord.” One goat was also offered each day as a sin offering.
The symbolism of eating unleavened bread is explained by the Apostle Paul, who wrote “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8). The church has thus been feasting on the unleavened bread of truth during the Gospel Age. This has had a purifying effect in the heart of each saint.
The burnt offerings presented during the Feast of Passover represent the church’s free-will expressions of gratitude and praise for the sacrifice of Jesus. This acknowledgement has led each saint to a full consecration offered on the altar of sacrifice. Burnt offerings then connect heartfelt gratitude with willing sacrifices.
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Held in the fall of the year, the Feast of Tabernacles was also observed for seven days. It was instituted to remember Israel’s dwelling in booths, or tabernacles, while wandering in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:42, 43). It was also referred to as the Feast of Harvest and was designated as a season of offering thanks for the large fall ingathering (Exodus 23:16).
Preparing for the Feast of Tabernacles
The unusual feature associated with this feast was in regard to the burnt offerings. Each day of the feast the number of bulls being offered diminished by one. On the first day 13 bulls were offered, on the second day 12 were offered, the third 11, and so on until, on the seventh day only 7 bulls were presented. The number of bulls sacrificed during the week totaled seventy. In addition to the offering of bulls, 14 lambs and 2 rams were sacrificed each day. The additional animals (112 rams and lambs) brings the total number of burnt offering to 182. In addition to these, one goat was offered each day for a sin-offering. (See Numbers 29:12-34.)
Zechariah 14:9, 16 indicates that the Feast of Tabernacles will be observed in the earthly phase of God’s Kingdom. The many burnt offerings associated with this feast then may point to the free-will offerings of mankind. For seven days every Israelite was instructed to live in tents, or booths as a reminder of their nation’s forty year journey through the wilderness of Sinai (Leviticus 23:42, 43). It represents mankind’s remembrance of its deliverance from this “present evil world.” The pain and suffering experienced during it’s own wilderness ordeal will be a vital memory for the human family. Reflecting upon their journey through sin and death will cause deep gratitude to well up in every reasoning heart.
After entering the Promised Land the Feast of Tabernacles was “marked out by the Lord” to also celebrate the large fall harvest (Deuteronomy 16:15). How well this illustrates the large harvesting of mankind and highlights the abundant kingdom blessings.
SEVENTY NATIONS
Frederic Ferrar writes, “During the week of festivities all the courses of the priests were employed in turn; seventy bullocks were offered in sacrifice for the seventy nations of the world; the Law was read daily, and on each day the Temple trumpets sounded twenty-one times, an inspiring and triumphant blast.”[1]
Suggesting that the seventy bulls offered during the Feast of Tabernacles represent the nations of the world appears to be scripturally supported. In Genesis 10, the seventy descendants of Noah are listed as the progenitors of the seventy nations that “divided the earth after the flood” (Genesis 10:32). The seventy bulls offered during the Feast of Tabernacles indicate that the nations of the world will be part of the kingdom arrangement. They will offer themselves in consecration to God on the altar that will have already been cleansed by the previous Atonement Day sacrifices.
As described earlier, the burnt offering of a bull represents consecration. However, the diminishing number of bulls does not illustrate less devotion but may point to fewer new consecrations made as the age progresses.
In addition to the seventy bulls offered during the Feast of Tabernacles, 112 additional burnt offerings were sacrificed, bringing the total burnt offerings to 182. In addition, there was one goat offered on each day of the feast as a sin-offering. The total number of animals offered during the week then came to 189.
Since the Feast of Tabernacles is directly associated with the Kingdom, the presentation of so many burnt offerings may correspond to the various nations of the world presenting themselves to God. Although the number of nations has varied considerably over the years,[2] the total of 182 burnt offerings may indicate the final number of nations that will comprise the earthly kingdom at the close of the Millennium.
In addition to the burnt offerings, one sin-offering goat was sacrificed on each day of the feast. This may suggest that the world will come to recognize the church’s share in the sin-offering, pictured by the Lord’s goat on the Day of Atonement (see Hebrews 13:13). The number of goats may point to the fact that the church was developed during the seven periods of the previous age.
CORRELATING THE SEVENTY BURNT OFFERINGS
During the Feast of Tabernacles the number seventy pointed to the nations of the world. The number seventy also appeared during the Feast of Passover. It was the total number of burnt offerings sacrificed during the week. This suggests that the willing sacrifices of the Gospel Age will also be for the benefit of the nations. In both feasts, seven sin-offering goats were sacrificed, pointing to the church’s role in the antitypical work of atonement.
BESIDE THE CONTINUAL BURNT OFFERING
“Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even” (Exodus 29:38, 39). These were the first and last offerings of each day and together termed the “continual burnt offering” (verse 42). The first lamb was placed on the altar at around 9:00 AM.[3] The last offering was “at even.” The correct reading is “between the two evenings,” meaning at twilight.[4] These times correspond to the hours Jesus hung on the cross (see Mark 15:25, 34). Like the two lambs of the daily offering, Jesus’ willing sacrifice was “a sweet savor unto the Lord” (Exodus 29:41).
During both the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, the burnt offerings were to follow the morning burnt offering (Numbers 28:23). This indicates that the willing sacrifices of both ages are acceptable because Jesus first sanctified the altar (Leviticus 8:15) and prepared the way for all future consecrations to be acceptable to God.
Identifying the symbolism in the number of burnt offerings involves some speculation. However, the underlying lesson illustrates that during the kingdom the world will recognize the offerings that went before and, from a deep sense of gratitude, dedicate themselves to God. It is a glorious prospect that should thrill the heart!
— Br. Tom Ruggirello
[1] Ferrar, Frederic W., Life of Christ (1874, reprinted by Fountain Publications, Portland, Oregon 1980) pages 396-397.
[2] The number of nations has dramatically increased over the last 100 years, from approximately 58 in 1874 to 197 today (from ourworldindata.org).
[3] The exact time of the morning sacrifice cannot be determined. The Mishna indicates that it was to be offered as soon as it became light (Mishna, Tamid iii, 2)
[4] Josephus designates this as the ninth hour, i.e. 3:00 PM (Antiquities, xiv, 4, 3)