Week 55, Day 3: Sacrifices

Today’s Reading:  Numbers 28:1-31

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

God tells Moses that he is to command Israel to be careful to present His sacrifices at the appointed times.  He then goes over the sacrifices to remind them.  What struck me was the thought of just how many animals Israel would have sacrificed over the years.  You have rivers of blood shed at the tent of meeting and later at the temple.  This should impress upon us how perfect and complete Jesus’ sacrifice was.  He gave Himself once and for all.  Once He shed His blood there was not a need for the continuation of sacrifices like under the law of Moses.  To emphasizie how many animals were sacrificed I’ve summarize the appointed times below.

Each day       2 lambs – morning and at twilight

Each 7th day (Sabbath)      2 lambs

At the beginning of each month      2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs, 1 goat

1st month, beginning the 15th day, for seven days (vs. 24)      2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs, 1 goat

At fest of first fruits      2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs, 1 goat

There was continually, each day a burnt sacrifice that was to be offered at the tent.  Each day adds up to a lot of animals. 

Question:  Why is it that the sacrifice of Jesus was the end of the sacrificial system?  Why could the sins of bulls and goats not remove the sins of Israel permanently (see Hebrews 10:1-4)?