Once again, the main outline is from the Open Bible, slightly edited.
Yearly offerings (28:16-29:40) Continued
The first four feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost) were connected with the early harvest season each year. The last three feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) were connected with the late harvest season each year. Three specific offerings were to be offered during the 7th month of each year.
TRUMPETS (Rosh Hashanah, on the 1st day of the 7th month, 29:1-6, c.f., Lev 23:23-25). A convocation is a public gathering or assembly. The sound of the blowing of trumpets announced the beginning of this special season and called the assembly together. It was a time of remembrance of God’s goodness. They were to do no work, so it was a sabbath. This offering was slightly different from previous offerings. This offering was besides the regular monthly burnt offering (29:6). For ten days, Israel was to remember the Lord, to repent and prepare for the most holy day that came next.
ATONEMENT (Yom Kippur, on the 10th day of the 7th month, 29:7-11, cf. Lev 23:26-32). This too was a holy gathering and a sabbath. We remember that on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was to enter into the holy of holies and make an atonement for the people. It was a special time of yearly cleansing.
This offering / feast was also connected with the year jubilee (Lev 25:8-17).
TABERNACLES (Feast of Booths, on the 15th day of the 7th month, 29:12-40, cf. Lev 23:33-44). Starting on the 15th day, Israel would live in booths or tabernacles (branch shelters) for seven days. This reminded them of the forty years of wilderness wanderings.
On each of the seven days, they were to offer sacrifices (29:12, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32). A final offering was to be made on the 8th day (29:35). This was the end of the final harvest and families would feast together. It was a time of celebration.
“While the Day of Atonement is considered Israel’s most solemn holy day, the Feast of Booths, held just five days later, is the most joyful of the nation’s celebrations.” Ken Casillas | October 9, 2017, BJU Seminary Old Testament, https://seminary.bju.edu/theology-in-3d/the-feast-of-booths/
Ryrie Study Bible notes, “Except for Passover and the Day of Atonement, these festivals were happy occasions for the people.” P.262.
Note the word “beside” in Num 29:39. These offerings were in addition to personal offerings and all other offerings.
The Regulations of Vows (30:1-16)
A Man’s Vows
God addresses a man’s vow first (30:2). When a man made a vow, God held him responsible for it with no exceptions.
A Woman’s Vows
When a youthful woman living at home made a vow, if her father heard her, he could cancel the vow if he thought it was unwise. If he said nothing, then her vow must be kept (30:3-5).
When a married woman made a vow, if her husband heard her, he could cancel the vow if he thought it was unwise. If he said nothing, then her vow must be kept (30:6-8).
When a widow or divorced woman made a vow, her vows must be kept (30:9). However, if she made the vow while her husband was still alive and with her, he could cancel it if he thought it unwise, but if he held his peace and said nothing, the vow must be kept (30:10-15).
Clearly, God placed husbands as leaders in their homes and held them accountable (30:16). He created wives to be completers and submissive helpers for their husbands.
Principles for Us Today
It is good for us to have special spiritual holidays for celebration and remembrance of God’s blessings. While the Bible says nothing about celebrating Christmas or Easter, if we reject all of the secular distortions and celebrate the true meaning of these days, I believe God is honoured.
God made a big deal about making and keeping vows to Him. I believe that God will hold us accountable for our marriage vows. Thus, we would do well to review and renew those vows regularly so that we faithfully keep them.
Commitments that we make to God may not truly be considered to be vows, but we ought not make them without thought and when we do make them, we ought to keep them.
