Question about some things in the Pentateuch

[ALLGIRLS]

Sorry for the vague thread title, I couldn’t really think of how else to word my question.

I’m reading the Daily Catholic Bible (RSV-CE). It’s a “one year” reading plan Bible, although I’m reading a few days’ worth each day so I can finish it by June (I’m impatient!).

I’ve read parts of the Old Testament (and the entire NT) before, but have never been able to make it beyond Exodus in the Books of Moses. I’m now in Numbers (almost finished), and now I’m confused. Numerous times (TOO numerous! lol ) God gives instructions for offerings/sacrifices. It seems the Israelites are sacrificing numerous lambs, bulls, oxen, pigeons, turtledoves each day for various things: perpetual offerings, the Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Day of Atonement, Sin offerings, Goodwill offerings, etc. However, I read a couple of days ago (in the book of Numbers), about when the people were grumbling to Moses about having no meat to eat, just manna, which they were sick of, so God sent all those quail, so much that it was coming out of their ears, so to speak, to teach them a lesson about complaining.

So my question is: Why couldn’t they eat any of the lambs, goats, oxen, bulls, etc., that they obviously had around for all those sacrifices? Were those JUST for sacrifices? I know some of the offerings were to be totally burned up, and some Aaron and his sons were allowed to eat, but why couldn’t the Israelites eat some of their own flocks/herds? Were they raising all those animals strictly for sacrifices and couldn’t use any to feed themselves? It doesn’t say that, but then it doesn’t make any sense that they complain about having no meat AFTER the “travelling temple” is put up and all the statutes and rules for sacrifices and offerings are in place.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Ignatius]

Sorry for the vague thread title, I couldn’t really think of how else to word my question.

I’m reading the Daily Catholic Bible (RSV-CE). It’s a “one year” reading plan Bible, although I’m reading a few days’ worth each day so I can finish it by June (I’m impatient!).

I’ve read parts of the Old Testament (and the entire NT) before, but have never been able to make it beyond Exodus in the Books of Moses. I’m now in Numbers (almost finished), and now I’m confused. Numerous times (TOO numerous! lol ) God gives instructions for offerings/sacrifices. It seems the Israelites are sacrificing numerous lambs, bulls, oxen, pigeons, turtledoves each day for various things: perpetual offerings, the Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Day of Atonement, Sin offerings, Goodwill offerings, etc. However, I read a couple of days ago (in the book of Numbers), about when the people were grumbling to Moses about having no meat to eat, just manna, which they were sick of, so God sent all those quail, so much that it was coming out of their ears, so to speak, to teach them a lesson about complaining.

So my question is: Why couldn’t they eat any of the lambs, goats, oxen, bulls, etc., that they obviously had around for all those sacrifices? Were those JUST for sacrifices? I know some of the offerings were to be totally burned up, and some Aaron and his sons were allowed to eat, but why couldn’t the Israelites eat some of their own flocks/herds? Were they raising all those animals strictly for sacrifices and couldn’t use any to feed themselves? It doesn’t say that, but then it doesn’t make any sense that they complain about having no meat AFTER the “travelling temple” is put up and all the statutes and rules for sacrifices and offerings are in place.

In Christ,

Ellen

Since the sacrifices also provided the food for the people, they must have been out of animals, otherwise they would have had meat for both sacrifice and meals.

 

[Verbum]

Hi All,

When the Jews came out of Egypt, I don’t think they had much. Besides, when the manna story took place, Moses had not yet got the Law from God on Sinai. One can suppose that, as time went on, the Jews acquired all the animals that were needed.

Verbum,

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Hi All,

When the Jews came out of Egypt, I don’t think they had much. Besides, when the manna story took place, Moses had not yet got the Law from God on Sinai. One can suppose that, as time went on, the Jews acquired all the animals that were needed.

Verbum,

Not the manna, I’m talking about later on, in the Book of Numbers, when the Israelites grumble about having no meat to eat just manna, and they were sick of it, so God sent a bunch of quail, so much that they got sick and some actually died. The Law had already been given, and the Tent of Meeting and Holy of Holies built, and all the rules for sacrifices and offerings were in place.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[jpjd]

Numbers 11 seems to be a re-telling of Exodus 16. In other words, when we read Exodus and Numbers, everything is not in chronological order.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Numbers 11 seems to be a re-telling of Exodus 16. In other words, when we read Exodus and Numbers, everything is not in chronological order.

That’s kind of what I was thinking, things seem to be repeated (the census, the ad nauseum rules and statutes for offerings, etc.). This Bible is strictly text, no commentary at all (it was put together by Paul Thigpin), just a quote from the Saint for the day at the start of that day’s reading, so there’s nothing to give any idea of what timeframe anything was written, or for what purpose, or if, like Chronicles, it’s a retelling of something for or from a different purpose or perspective. Like I said, I’ve never been able to get beyond Exodus in the Pentateuch (all those laws and statutes and “son ofs” make my eyes glaze over and my brain fry :hypno:. I’m REALLY trying this time to get through it, and not jumping straight to Joshua (where the story “gets good”, imo).

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[jpjd]

I agree Numbers, and Leviticus too, are difficult to get through. Even the “good” parts of the OT can be difficult. That’s why you should really have a bible study guide or a bible study group to help you.

 

[Mintaka]

You’re allowed to skip ahead. You can get on to more “narrative” parts of the Bible, and then just skip back for little bits now and then of stuff like Numbers and Leviticus. That way, you’ll finish that off without stalling out.

The Bible is meant to be helpful, not to stop you from reading itself.

 

[diggerdomer]

So my question is: Why couldn’t they eat any of the lambs, goats, oxen, bulls, etc., that they obviously had around for all those sacrifices? Were those JUST for sacrifices? I know some of the offerings were to be totally burned up, and some Aaron and his sons were allowed to eat, but why couldn’t the Israelites eat some of their own flocks/herds? Were they raising all those animals strictly for sacrifices and couldn’t use any to feed themselves? It doesn’t say that, but then it doesn’t make any sense that they complain about having no meat AFTER the “travelling temple” is put up and all the statutes and rules for sacrifices and offerings are in place.

In Christ,

Ellen

Because God said so.

 

[spockrates]

Since the sacrifices also provided the food for the people, they must have been out of animals, otherwise they would have had meat for both sacrifice and meals.

Agreed. It wasn’t that they had a need; they had a greed! They had meat as a rare treat, but they wanted more.

 

[roratecaeli]

You’re allowed to skip ahead. You can get on to more “narrative” parts of the Bible, and then just skip back for little bits now and then of stuff like Numbers and Leviticus. That way, you’ll finish that off without stalling out.

The Bible is meant to be helpful, not to stop you from reading itself.

I concur. Leviticus is an extremely important book in many ways - as are all books in the Bible - but it’s not really required reading for “ordinary laypeople”, so to speak.

 

[spockrates]

AllGirls:

I’m Glad to see you are reading through the Bible, BTW. When I read through it from cover to cover the first time, I started getting bored. After reading Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, I asked God, “Why is this taking so long?”

Then it dawned on me: 40 years was a long time for the Jewish people to rebel against God, wander aimlessly in circles in the desert, and refuse to go where He wanted to lead them! It taught me a lesson about my own life, too.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

AllGirls:

I’m Glad to see you are reading through the Bible, BTW. When I read through it from cover to cover the first time, I started getting bored. After reading Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, I asked God, “Why is this taking so long?”

Then it dawned on me: 40 years was a long time for the Jewish people to rebel against God, wander aimlessly in circles in the desert, and refuse to go where He wanted to lead them! It taught me a lesson about my own life, too.

Thank you! That’s a good way to think about it!

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[spockrates]

Thank you! That’s a good way to think about it!

In Christ,

Ellen

Yeah. Don’t worry about keeping to any time table, just use a bookmark. And don’t forget to ask God to show you something you never thought of before. The discovery is a neat experience.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him [or her].

(James 1:5)

And if you feel the urge to quit, try marking your place and skipping to a different book. Maybe read one book from the Old Testament, and then one from the New, just to keep it interesting. Eventually you’ll have them all read.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

(Galatians 6:9)

 

[patrick457]

So my question is: Why couldn’t they eat any of the lambs, goats, oxen, bulls, etc., that they obviously had around for all those sacrifices? Were those JUST for sacrifices? I know some of the offerings were to be totally burned up, and some Aaron and his sons were allowed to eat, but why couldn’t the Israelites eat some of their own flocks/herds? Were they raising all those animals strictly for sacrifices and couldn’t use any to feed themselves? It doesn’t say that, but then it doesn’t make any sense that they complain about having no meat AFTER the “travelling temple” is put up and all the statutes and rules for sacrifices and offerings are in place.

In Christ,

Ellen

Hi there!

One of the simple answers for this is: in the Ancient Near East flock animals such as oxen or sheep were valued more for their products - what is called ‘renewable resources’ - like wool, hair, leather or dairy products such as milk, or when dead, bones or horns than for their meat. Back in the old days, millions of flocks were herded throughout the Near East, but only relatively few were slaughtered.

Meat consumption was rather rare; of course, it was expensive and they had no refrigeration, which meant that anything that would rot should be consumed immediately.
This is what made the slaughter of an animal for its meat a special event to the point that in premodern cultures, it became an integral part of worship (the Israelites included) - it was literally something ‘out of the ordinary’. Rather than for purposes of consumption, meats in the Ancient Near East were instead more often used in special occasions such as offerings, taking omens, wedding gifts, and tributes for the king.

In ancient societies flocks and herds were held to be long-term investments for the herder and his family; consequently short-term gains were sacrificed for the long-term maintenance of the flock or herd. For example: if you kill the animal now, you get its meat, yes; but if you don’t eat it now, it would eventually rot and would be of no longer use to you. If you eat the meat now, you would have to kill another, and so on and so forth until you run out of animals. When you reach that point, if you never have anything edible at hand (especially in the wilderness!) and have nothing to trade to obtain fresh meat, you’ll still go hungry.

This is probably why the Israelites kept from consuming the meat of their flocks and herds at a minimum: keeping the animals alive as long as possible and harvesting their renewable resources is more advantageous and wiser in the long run. Which is probably why they tried to endure the manna as long as they could, that is before the “mixed multitude” (Numbers 11:4) incited the Israelites to compain.

 

[peary1]

Sorry for the vague thread title, I couldn’t really think of how else to word my question.

I’m reading the Daily Catholic Bible (RSV-CE). It’s a “one year” reading plan Bible, although I’m reading a few days’ worth each day so I can finish it by June (I’m impatient!).

I’ve read parts of the Old Testament (and the entire NT) before, but have never been able to make it beyond Exodus in the Books of Moses. I’m now in Numbers (almost finished), and now I’m confused. Numerous times (TOO numerous! lol ) God gives instructions for offerings/sacrifices. It seems the Israelites are sacrificing numerous lambs, bulls, oxen, pigeons, turtledoves each day for various things: perpetual offerings, the Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Day of Atonement, Sin offerings, Goodwill offerings, etc. However, I read a couple of days ago (in the book of Numbers), about when the people were grumbling to Moses about having no meat to eat, just manna, which they were sick of, so God sent all those quail, so much that it was coming out of their ears, so to speak, to teach them a lesson about complaining.

So my question is: Why couldn’t they eat any of the lambs, goats, oxen, bulls, etc., that they obviously had around for all those sacrifices? Were those JUST for sacrifices? I know some of the offerings were to be totally burned up, and some Aaron and his sons were allowed to eat, but why couldn’t the Israelites eat some of their own flocks/herds? Were they raising all those animals strictly for sacrifices and couldn’t use any to feed themselves? It doesn’t say that, but then it doesn’t make any sense that they complain about having no meat AFTER the “travelling temple” is put up and all the statutes and rules for sacrifices and offerings are in place.

In Christ,

Ellen

Well…for one thing, they weren’t vegetarians!!

 

[pnewton]

Yeah. Don’t worry about keeping to any time table, just use a bookmark.

I agree. On more thing I will add. Sometimes I quite for a week or two and read something totally mindless. It helps me “clear the palate” so that I do not get numb-minded and reading the Bible does not become drudgery. For some, this might be a temptation to quit. It is up to each individual, but I have used this technique with good results whereas schedules have always been difficult for me.