Amelia Wilson 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 28:17 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible is a book rich in history, wisdom, and guidance, with each chapter and verse holding meaning for those who seek understanding. The Book of Numbers, located in the Old Testament, is part of the Pentateuch and provides instructions, laws, and records that are crucial to understanding God‘s relationship with His people. Among these instructions, Numbers 28:17 stands out as a passage that may seem straightforward but carries deeper significance when placed within its broader context.
In this article, we will explore the context, meaning, and application of Numbers 28:17, providing clarity on how it relates to us today. Understanding this verse not only helps us gain insight into the practices of ancient Israel but also invites us to reflect on how we honor God in our own lives.
The Context of Numbers 28:17 KJV
Numbers 28 is part of a larger section that outlines the sacrificial system and observance of festivals that the Israelites were to follow. These chapters are a continuation of the laws and commandments that God gave to Moses during the wilderness journey. Chapter 28 specifically deals with offerings and the prescribed times for sacrifices, which were essential to the Israelites’ worship of God. In these chapters, God gave detailed instructions on how various offerings were to be made, including daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, and those made during the Passover and other significant feasts.
The events in Numbers 28:17 occur during a time when the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land. The instructions given by God through Moses were meant to maintain order and holiness among His people. Numbers 28 is one of many chapters where the Israelites’ worship practices are outlined, emphasizing the need for regular and deliberate sacrifices to God.
Understanding this context helps us see that Numbers 28:17 is part of a larger narrative about God’s provision and the need for obedience. Each festival and offering was a way for the Israelites to honor God and demonstrate their gratitude for His care and provision.
Numbers 28:17 (KJV)
To understand the meaning of this verse, we first need to look at it directly:
“And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.” — Numbers 28:17 (KJV)
This verse is part of a larger description of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was celebrated by the Israelites as a way to remember their hasty escape from Egypt during the Exodus. The fifteenth day of the month referred to here is the beginning of this feast, which was to last for seven days. During this period, the Israelites were instructed to eat unleavened bread, which symbolized the bread they ate in haste as they fled from slavery.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a key element in the Israelites’ yearly calendar of worship, occurring right after the Passover, which commemorated God’s deliverance of the Israelites from the death of the firstborn in Egypt. This period of seven days was a time of reflection, remembrance, and obedience to God’s commands. The eating of unleavened bread was symbolic of purity and freedom, free from the influence of sin (represented by leaven or yeast).
Numbers 28:17 Meaning
The meaning of Numbers 28:17 extends beyond the historical and ritualistic observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On a surface level, it simply provides the time frame and the instruction that unleavened bread should be eaten for seven days. However, there is a deeper spiritual significance tied to this command.
1. A Reminder of Deliverance
The primary meaning behind the Feast of Unleavened Bread is the reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. In the context of the Exodus, the Israelites had to leave Egypt in haste. There was no time for their bread to rise, so they ate unleavened bread. By commanding the Israelites to celebrate this feast annually, God ensured that His people would always remember their freedom from slavery and their dependence on His intervention in their lives.
2. Symbol of Purity and Holiness
The instruction to eat unleavened bread is also symbolic. In the Bible, leaven often represents sin or corruption (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). By eating unleavened bread during the feast, the Israelites were reminded to live lives of purity and holiness, free from the “leaven” of sin. This was not just a physical act, but a spiritual one. The command emphasized that, just as the bread was unleavened and pure, the Israelites were to live in a way that reflected God’s holiness.
3. Obedience to God’s Word
Numbers 28:17 shows that God’s people are to be obedient to His commands. While it might seem like a small instruction to eat unleavened bread, it was part of a larger pattern of obedience that was essential for the Israelites’ relationship with God. Each time the Israelites observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they were not only honoring the past, but they were also affirming their commitment to follow God’s instructions in every area of their lives.
Numbers 28:17 Application in Life
Though the specific observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is no longer required of Christians today, the principles underlying this command still hold great relevance for us. Here are some ways we can apply the teachings from Numbers 28:17 in our lives:
1. Remembering Our Deliverance
Just as the Feast of Unleavened Bread was a way for the Israelites to remember their deliverance from slavery, we too are called to remember our deliverance. For Christians, this means remembering our salvation through Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He has delivered us from the slavery of sin through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Taking time to reflect on this deliverance helps us stay focused on God’s grace and mercy.
2. Pursuing Holiness
The eating of unleavened bread was not just about eating a specific type of food but about living a life free from sin. In the New Testament, believers are called to live holy lives, just as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Leaven represents sin, and just as the Israelites removed leaven from their homes during the feast, we are called to remove sin from our lives. This requires regular self-examination, repentance, and the pursuit of purity through the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Obedience to God’s Word
God’s commands are not arbitrary; they are for our good. In the same way that the Israelites were called to obey the specific instructions regarding the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we are called to obey God’s Word in all aspects of our lives. Obedience is an act of worship and a demonstration of our trust in God. As we follow His commands, we demonstrate our love for Him and our commitment to live according to His will.
4. Celebrating the Passover and Resurrection
Though the Feast of Unleavened Bread is not something we observe today in the same way, the principle behind it can still guide us in how we celebrate the ultimate deliverance and salvation that came through Jesus Christ. The timing of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, immediately after the Passover, points to Christ as the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Christians celebrate this ultimate deliverance in the celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, which is commemorated during the time of Easter.
Conclusion
Numbers 28:17, though a simple instruction about eating unleavened bread, carries a deeper meaning for us as Christians today. It speaks to the importance of remembering our deliverance, living lives of holiness, and obeying God’s Word. While we may not celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the same way the Israelites did, the principles behind this command continue to shape how we live and worship. By reflecting on the significance of Numbers 28:17, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness, the need for purity, and the call to live in obedience to His Word.
As we consider this passage, may it inspire us to continually reflect on our salvation and to pursue lives of holiness, honoring God in all that we do.
You Might Be Interested In: