"'In addition to what you vow and your freewill offerings, prepare these for the Lord at your appointed feasts: your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings.'" Numbers 29:39
For years the Israelites had been celebrating God's appointed feasts. As they were preparing to enter the promised land, God reminded them of these feasts. Yet He seemed to require more. When compared to His earlier command, God's reminder is filled with detail not previously recorded. The specifics about each sacrifice were omitted from Leviticus, yet they appear in the Book of Numbers.
Why the difference, Lord? Why does Scripture not record the sacrificial ordinance with the original command? Did you not require specific animals before this time? Is this something new?
I guess this is a good analogy of the Christian life. From the beginning, we have only one thing in mind - salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Yet, the longer we walk this journey, the more detailed the requirements become. Oh, we are always to walk in grace and mercy. But in addition, we are to understand the importance of humility - the importance of doing justly. The mature Christian is more often concerned with others than himself. To expect full understanding of these things by a new Christian is like expecting a child to understand the ways of an adult.
Lord, am I ready for new things - for new detail in my walk with You? I long to be near You. I long to understand the deep things of God. Is it time to grow up? Give me Your understanding, so I might love mercy, do justly, and walk humbly by Your side.