(Numbers 28-29) Food and Offerings
(Dialogue with ChatGPT, edited by Mijiale, translated from Chinese by ChatGPT)
Mijiale: In Numbers 28:2, the Lord says, “Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘Be sure to present to me my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me, and observe the proper time for doing so.'” Does the Lord actually need to eat food? Does He need people to feed Him until He is full?
ChatGPT: In the Bible, when God commands the Israelites to present offerings, it does not mean that God needs actual material food. God is the almighty creator and does not require human sustenance. Instead, it is a symbolic act meant for the Israelites to express their reverence, gratitude, and reliance on God.
For God, these sacrifices are not meant to satisfy His physical needs but rather serve as a means to establish a connection and relationship with His people. These ritual acts help the Israelites establish a close spiritual and religious bond with God and express their worship and devotion through offering.
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Mijiale: Indeed, the term “offering” in Hebrew, also known as “korban” (Mark 7:11), carries the meaning of drawing near, symbolizing that the Creator desires to be approached by His creations according to a set schedule, just as people desire to eat food according to a schedule.
ChatGPT: In Hebrew, the term “offering” (“קָרְבָּן”) does have the meaning of “approaching” or “drawing near.” The root of this word is “קרב,” which means “to approach” or “to draw near.” Therefore, the offering can be understood to some extent as a way of drawing near to God.
The term “korban” (“κορβᾶν”) mentioned in Mark 7:11 is the Greek translation of “offering.” It also conveys the meaning of drawing near to God.
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Mijiale: I have noticed that in ancient times, the Israelites had the habit of eating bread twice a day. This is mentioned in https://outorah.org/p/36245
and https://jewishaction.com/religion/shabbat-holidays/whats_the_truth_about-seudah_shelishit/
. This corresponds precisely to the twice-daily burnt offerings mentioned in Numbers 28:3-4. It seems that the Lord is indeed using the analogy of eating to describe the act of offering. Just as bread is supplied by the Lord for our daily meals and brings us joy, the daily bread of the Israelites corresponds to the “offering” or “drawing near” presented by the chosen people to the Lord. Just as bread is so important and brings us delight every day, the daily offering or “drawing near” of the chosen people to the Lord is also of great importance and brings Him joy. Do you think this analogy is reasonable?
ChatGPT: Indeed, bread is an important part of people’s daily diet, providing the energy and satisfaction we need. The Israelites offering burnt offerings twice daily can correspond to their daily meals of bread. In this analogy, we can see bread as the daily food provided by God, while the burnt offerings are the response and expression of the Israelites.
Through this analogy, we can understand the value and acceptance of the offerings by God. Just as bread is important to us, bringing us satisfaction and joy, the offerings are important to God, expressing the love, worship, and response of the chosen people to Him.
Of course, this analogy is merely a metaphorical description aimed at helping us understand the relationship between people and God. It does not mean that God actually needs our material sustenance but emphasizes the importance of dedication and worship.
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Mijiale: For today’s Christians, what would daily offerings correspond to?
ChatGPT: For today’s Christians, the concept of daily offerings can have different meanings and expressions. Christian beliefs and practices differ from Judaism in some aspects, but there are also some similarities. Here are some possible explanations and applications:
- Spiritual dedication: Christians can consider daily offerings as a time of dedication and worship to God. This includes prayer, reading the Bible, meditation, and praise. By devoting a portion of time to focus on their relationship with God and expressing love and gratitude, Christians can offer their hearts and minds daily.
- Dedication of time and talents: Daily offerings can also be reflected in the process of dedicating time, talents, and resources to God and others. This may involve helping others, caring for the vulnerable, praying for others, serving the community, and more. Christians can consider their time and talents as gifts from God and offer them daily for His kingdom and the well-being of others.
- Offering one’s life: Christians can also understand daily offerings as the complete dedication of their lives to God. This includes obedience to His will, following the example of Christ, and manifesting the character and love of Christ in everyday life. Christians believe that our lives belong to God, and in response to this, we offer our lives to Him, living out love and service for Him.