We are creatures of habit, and our habits reveal a great deal about who we are and what we value.

In Numbers 28–29, God establishes a different kind of rhythm, centered on worship and offering. In these two chapters, we find a comprehensive calendar of offerings and festivals for Israel. These commanded rhythms served as constant reminders of God’s character and Israel’s identity as His chosen people. God begins with the foundation: “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me’” (28:2). The daily offerings—morning and evening—created bookends for each day. Israel would begin and end the day by acknowledging God’s presence and provision.

The passage details “two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day” (28:3), accompanied by grain and drink offerings. These weren’t afterthoughts squeezed into busy schedules; they were the rhythm around which life was structured. Beyond daily offerings, God prescribed additional sacrifices for Sabbaths (28:9–10), monthly New Moon festivals (28:11–15), and major celebrations including Passover (28:16–25) and the Festival of Weeks (28:26–31). The Feast of Trumpets required “one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect” (29:2), demonstrating the significance God placed on these appointed times.

Each festival carried deep meaning—Passover recalled their deliverance from Egypt, while the Feast of Trumpets marked new beginnings. These were grace-filled opportunities to remember who God is and what He had done.

We are creatures of habit, and our habits reveal a great deal about who we are and what we value.
In Numbers 28&ndash;29, God establishes a different kind of rhythm, centered on worship and offering. In these two chapters, we find a comprehensive calendar of offerings and festivals for Israel. These commanded rhythms served as constant reminders of God&rsquo;s character and Israel&rsquo;s identity as His chosen people. God begins with the foundation: &ldquo;Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: &lsquo;Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me&rsquo;&rdquo; (28:2). The daily offerings&mdash;morning and evening&mdash;created bookends for each day. Israel would begin and end the day by acknowledging God&rsquo;s presence and provision.
The passage details &ldquo;two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day&rdquo; (28:3), accompanied by grain and drink offerings. These weren&rsquo;t afterthoughts squeezed into busy schedules; they were the rhythm around which life was structured. Beyond daily offerings, God prescribed additional sacrifices for Sabbaths (28:9&ndash;10), monthly New Moon festivals (28:11&ndash;15), and major celebrations including Passover (28:16&ndash;25) and the Festival of Weeks (28:26&ndash;31). The Feast of Trumpets required &ldquo;one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect&rdquo; (29:2), demonstrating the significance God placed on these appointed times.
Each festival carried deep meaning&mdash;Passover recalled their deliverance from Egypt, while the Feast of Trumpets marked new beginnings. These were grace-filled opportunities to remember who God is and what He had done.

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

Rhythm of Remembrance

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/6a3c753f-7359-43e6-82d9-b43c013923c0/transcript