The new moons and the sabbaths are often spoken of together, as great
solemnities in the Jewish church, very comfortable to the saints then,
and typical of gospel grace. Now we have here the sacrifices appointed,
1. For the sabbaths. Every sabbath day the offering must be doubled;
besides the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must
be two more offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning
sacrifice, and the other to the evening, v. 9, 10. This teaches us to
double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the duty of the day
requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in order to a more close
application to the sabbath work, which ought to fill up sabbath time.
In Ezekiel's temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath
offerings were to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings,
and drink-offerings (Ezek. xlvi. 4, 5), to intimate not only the
continuance, but the advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days
of the Messiah. This is the burnt-offering of the sabbath in his
sabbath, so it is in the original, v. 10. We must do every sabbath
day's work in its day, studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time
as those that believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one
sabbath's work to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the
service thereof. 2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the
sabbath was kept with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new
moons were sanctified with an eye to the divine providence, which
appoints the moon for seasons, guiding the revolutions of time by its
changes, and governing sublunary bodies (as many think) by its
influences. Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we must
not forget to give God the glory of all the precious things put forth
by the moon which he has established for ever, a faithful witness in
heaven, Ps. lxxxix. 37. The offerings in the new moons were very
considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the
meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend them (v. 11,
&c.), besides a sin-offering, v. 15. For, when we give glory to God by
confessing his mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by
confessing our own sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts of common
providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of
special grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy. Some have
questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their
feasts; but why should they not, when, besides the special sacrifices
which were then to be offered, they rested from servile works (Amos
viii. 5), blew the trumpets (ch. x. 10), and went to the prophets to
hear the word? 2 Kings iv. 23. And the worship performed in the new
moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, Isa. lxvi. 23.