This verse teaches that God requires a sacrifice to deal with humanity’s sin and points toward the perfect atonement provided in Christ.
“And one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement for you” (v.22). The context of this verse is the LORD’s instructions to the Israelites regarding offerings, delivered through Moses, who lived around 1525-1406 BC. Moses was the chosen leader who guided Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness, and in Numbers 28, he records detailed directions for the daily sacrifices, as well as additional offerings for specific occasions. In verse 22, God includes the requirement of a single male goat to address the people’s need for atonement. The wording “to make atonement for you” (v.22) underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial substitute.
In ancient Israel, sin offerings served as a constant reminder of the people’s separation from a holy God and of His provision for restoration. A goat was commonly used for this offering as an emblem of substitution, symbolizing the transfer of the offenders’ guilt to the sacrificial animal so that communion with God could be maintained. This aspect of atonement, taught here in the time of Moses, foreshadows the ultimate atonement fulfilled by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:22). Though God’s instructions in the Old Testament were very specific, they pointed to a greater spiritual reality that would come through the Messiah’s sacrifice.
Moreover, the inclusion of the male goat in the midst of other offerings highlights God’s consistent care for the relationship between Himself and His people. By adhering meticulously to these ritual instructions, the Israelites expressed obedience and reverence. Each sacrifice served a distinct role, with the goal of holiness and closeness to God, reflecting their covenantal bond with Him. Though these ancient ceremonies might seem foreign to modern understanding, they reveal the unchanging truth that a perfect sacrifice is necessary to restore humanity’s fellowship with the divine.
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Numbers 28:22 meaning
“And one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement for you” (v.22). The context of this verse is the LORD’s instructions to the Israelites regarding offerings, delivered through Moses, who lived around 1525-1406 BC. Moses was the chosen leader who guided Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness, and in Numbers 28, he records detailed directions for the daily sacrifices, as well as additional offerings for specific occasions. In verse 22, God includes the requirement of a single male goat to address the people’s need for atonement. The wording “to make atonement for you” (v.22) underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial substitute.
In ancient Israel, sin offerings served as a constant reminder of the people’s separation from a holy God and of His provision for restoration. A goat was commonly used for this offering as an emblem of substitution, symbolizing the transfer of the offenders’ guilt to the sacrificial animal so that communion with God could be maintained. This aspect of atonement, taught here in the time of Moses, foreshadows the ultimate atonement fulfilled by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:22). Though God’s instructions in the Old Testament were very specific, they pointed to a greater spiritual reality that would come through the Messiah’s sacrifice.
Moreover, the inclusion of the male goat in the midst of other offerings highlights God’s consistent care for the relationship between Himself and His people. By adhering meticulously to these ritual instructions, the Israelites expressed obedience and reverence. Each sacrifice served a distinct role, with the goal of holiness and closeness to God, reflecting their covenantal bond with Him. Though these ancient ceremonies might seem foreign to modern understanding, they reveal the unchanging truth that a perfect sacrifice is necessary to restore humanity’s fellowship with the divine.