A Multiplicity of Laws and Offerings. (Number 15: 1-41)
Transcript.
Today, we explore Numbers chapter 15 which immediately continues the narrative from the proceeding chapter 14.
Following the significant events of the previous chapters where after the spies scouted the land, the majority of the Israelites chose to believe the negative report of the ten spies, leading to a decision not to enter the promised land.
As a consequence, the Lord decreed that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the original older generation passed away.
Now, as we transition to chapter 15, we encounter a list of laws, 613 there will be in total by the end of all this, to be precise. This extensive list might raise questions: Why so many laws? Couldn't God have given just a few comprehensive ones, akin to the Ten Commandments back in Exodus?
Let's look at this 15th chapter to find out.
Welcome to TBPDP.
Verse 1 of chapter 15 serves as our entry point.
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘After you enter the land I am giving you as a home 3 and you present to the Lord food offerings from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the Lord—whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings— 4 then the person who brings an offering shall present to the Lord a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of olive oil. 5 With each lamb for the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.
6 “‘With a ram prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a third of a hin of olive oil, 7 and a third of a hin of wine as a drink offering. Offer it as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 8 “‘When you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice, for a special vow or a fellowship offering to the Lord, 9 bring with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with half a hin of olive oil, 10 and also bring half a hin of wine as a drink offering. This will be a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 11 Each bull or ram, each lamb or young goat, is to be prepared in this manner. 12 Do this for each one, for as many as you prepare. 13 “‘Everyone who is native-born must do these things in this way when they present a food offering as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 14 For the generations to come, whenever a foreigner or anyone else living among you presents a food offering as an aroma pleasing to the Lord, they must do exactly as you do. 15 The community is to have the same rules for you and for the foreigner residing among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the Lord: 16 The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing among you.’”
(Numbers 15: 1-16)
In today’s chapter, the first commandment deals with various offerings. But what's truly striking is the wording. In verse 1, having already stated in chapter 14 that the current generation would not see the promised land, the Lord now tells Moses to speak to the children of Israel and say to them, "After you enter the land." This might seems inconsistent, but it reveals the Lord's faithfulness to His promise to Abraham and although the current generation won't enter, He still assures that His people will eventually inherit the land, even if it's through their descendants only.
The rest of the chapter outlines regulations for offerings to be made once the Israelites are in the land. While I won’t repeat the detail again, it's important to note the inclusivity of these laws and rules.
These verses emphasizes that all who are native born shall observe these offerings, indicating that those born in the land and those who choose to adopt the Israelite religion must all follow the same requirements. Similarly, these rules are seen to extend to strangers living among the Israelites, emphasizing equality in observance.
Verse 15 underscores this unity by stating that the same ordinance applies to both the assembly and the strangers dwelling with them.
In essence, these laws are seen to not only govern the rituals of the offerings but at the same time they promote unity and inclusivity among the Israelites and those who join them.
Despite the delay in entering the promised land for the current generation, the Lord's provisions extend to all who are part of His chosen people, ensuring that His promises will be fulfilled, regardless of the timing or circumstances.
One law and one custom shall be for everyone even for the strangers who live amongst them.
So the first commandment in this long passage has to do with offerings and he lays out what should be offered but God makes clear that the same instruction applies to everybody, those who are native to the land and those who are guests among them.
For our purposes what is important is this is the first command and he says everybody is to do it whether your native or a stranger all are to do obey these instructions concerning offerings.
The second command in this passage has to do with first fruits so let's pick it up at verse 17.
17 The Lord said to Moses, 18 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land to which I am taking you 19 and you eat the food of the land, present a portion as an offering to the Lord. 20 Present a loaf from the first of your ground meal and present it as an offering from the threshing floor. 21 Throughout the generations to come you are to give this offering to the Lord from the first of your ground meal.
(Numbers 15: 17-21)
In this passage, we encounter the significance of the first fruits in the Mosaic law. The second commandment stipulates that the firstborn child and the first fruit of the harvest belong to the Lord. This offering is dedicated to Him as a symbol of acknowledging His ownership over all possessions.
While the priests in the Tabernacle were the ones who benefited from these offerings by consuming them, the essence of the commandment is to remind the people that everything they possess ultimately belongs to the Lord. Thus, the firstborn child and the first fruits are to be consecrated to Him, signifying His priority and supremacy in their lives.
Moving on, the third commandment in this passage pertains to unintentional sin.
He says in verse 22.
22 “‘Now if you as a community unintentionally fail to keep any of these commands the Lord gave Moses— 23 any of the Lord’s commands to you through him, from the day the Lord gave them and continuing through the generations to come— 24 and if this is done unintentionally without the community being aware of it, then the whole community is to offer a young bull for a burnt offering as an aroma pleasing to the Lord, along with its prescribed grain offering and drink offering, and a male goat for a sin offering.
(Numbers 15: 22-24)
According to theses next verses, an unintentional sin has occurred which refers to actions or omissions that occur without deliberate intent to transgress the law of God.
It's often interpreted as a sin of neglect or omission, where one fails to do something, they should have done. Now the Hebrew word for sin used here implies veering or straying off the path rather than simply missing the mark, which is the normal word for sin used in the bible.
So an example of unintentional sin could be failing to observe a festival due to not realizing it had begun or being unable to return in time to participate. For instance, if someone travelled out of the country and couldn't make it back in time for the festival due to unforeseen circumstances, it would constitute an unintentional sin.
Having established that let’s move forward, verse 25 continues with further instructions.
25 The priest is to make atonement for the whole Israelite community, and they will be forgiven, for it was not intentional and they have presented to the Lord for their wrong a food offering and a sin offering. 26 The whole Israelite community and the foreigners residing among them will be forgiven, because all the people were involved in the unintentional wrong. 27 “‘But if just one person sins unintentionally, that person must bring a year-old female goat for a sin offering. 28 The priest is to make atonement before the Lord for the one who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made, that person will be forgiven. 29 One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you.
(Numbers 15: 25-29)
Does any of that sound familiar this is almost a duplication of the offerings in the first part of this chapter. He says that it applies to the children of Israel and again it applies to a stranger
In verse 26 it applies to an individual person, in verse 27 an it applies to the native born, and in verse 29 and he also says there's only one law.
So, the only thing different here is that it's unintentional. What I mean by that this is a deliberate offering for an unintentional sin the previous burnt offerings were offered for different reasons.
All right now it gets interesting.
30 “‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the Lord and must be cut off from the people of Israel. 31 Because they have despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.’”
(Numbers 15: 30-31)
In contrast to unintentional sins, deliberate sins involve intentional disobedience or presumption against the word of the Lord. It's a wilful act of rebellion or insubordination, indicating a blatant disregard for God's commands.
The severity of deliberate sin is highlighted by the punishment of being cut off, which signifies being separated or excluded from the community.
This then raises questions about the nature of such a deliberate sin and the consequences of being cut off. Throughout the books of Exodus and Leviticus, the term "cut off" is mentioned, leading to debates among many commentators about its precise meaning. Some interpret it as excommunication, while others view it as a form of divine judgment, possibly leading to death.
However, this passage will now provide little room for ambiguity. Continuing to read, we find further insight in verse 32.
32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, 34 and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. 35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp.” 36 So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.
(Numbers 15: 32-36)
Wow. The juxtaposition of unintentional and deliberate sins in this passage suggests that the incident involving the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath was actually a case of deliberate defiance against the Lord's commandments.
While it may seem trivial to pick up sticks on the Sabbath, the deliberate nature of the act indicates a blatant violation of the Sabbath observance, which was a sign of the Mosaic covenant. By intentionally disregarding the Sabbath, the man demonstrated a rejection of the Lord and his covenant.
Upon discovering the man's transgression, some people were unsure how to handle the situation, so they placed him under guard, as mentioned in verse 34.
By the way, it's worth noting that while there is no provision for jails in the Mosaic law, this temporary measure served as a means of holding the man until a decision could be made about his punishment.
Ultimately, in the Old Testament the biblical command of capital punishment was practiced, indicating that the consequence of deliberate sin, in this case, was death.
This incident is meant to sheds light on the severity of deliberate disobedience in the Mosaic law and underscores the importance of honouring God's commandments. It's a stark reminder of the consequences of rebellion against the Lord and serves as a deterrent against wilful transgression.
Regarding capital punishment in the Mosaic law, there are 11 offenses that warrant such severe punishment, including stoning. These offenses are:
1. Murder
2. Blasphemy
3. Sabbath-breaking
4. Cursing one's parents
5. Kidnapping
6. Adultery
7. Incest
8. Bestiality
9. Idolatry
10. Practicing witchcraft or sorcery
11. False prophecy or leading others astray
Looking at the offenses that warranted capital punishment in the Mosaic law, it's striking to see seemingly minor infractions like we saw with this man gathering firewood are listed alongside grave sins like idolatry, adultery, and blasphemy. However, the severity of the punishment wasn't necessarily tied to the act itself, but rather to the deliberate defiance of God's commandments.
Consider this act of picking up sticks on the Sabbath. On its own, it may seem innocuous. However, the crucial point is that the individual knowingly and intentionally defied God's commandment regarding Sabbath observance.
It's not about the act itself, but about the attitude of rebellion and disobedience it represents.
In essence, the severity of the punishment reflects the seriousness of disregarding God's commands, regardless of the specific action involved. By deliberately choosing to disobey, the individual was challenging the authority of God and the sanctity of his laws. It's this attitude of defiance and rebellion that warranted such a severe consequence.
So, while picking up wood on the Sabbath may seem trivial, the underlying issue is the deliberate wilful disobedience and disrespect for God's authority he showed.
That's what ultimately puts it in the same category as these more heinous sins like idolatry and adultery in the eyes of God.
All right there's one more look at verse 37.
37 The Lord said to Moses, 38 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’”
(numbers 15: 37-41)
The instructions regarding the garment with the tassel are straightforward enough they, but why are they important. It is because they serve as a visual reminder for the Israelites to obey all of God's commandments.
Some people like to highlight the significance of the blue colour as symbolizing loyalty and nobility, the primary purpose emphasized in the text is its role as a reminder of obedience.
The extensive list of laws in this chapter reflects God's meticulous concern for every aspect of human life, from religious rituals to personal attire. Nothing is too insignificant for God's attention; everything is to be dedicated to Him. This insight underscores the overarching lesson that God cares about every detail of our lives, both big and small.
The laws of God will be revealed to cover a wide range of aspects, including religious practices, agricultural offerings, unintentional sins, and even clothing regulations. Through these laws, God communicates His desire for His people to recognize their belonging to Him and their separation unto Him.
The final verse, verse 41, reinforces this message, reminding the Israelites of their relationship with God and His role as their deliverer from Egypt. It all underscores the call for obedience in all spheres of life, be it religious practices or everyday work.
The message from Numbers chapter 15 is all about applying God's word to every area of our lives, from personal matters to unintentional sins and even clothing regulations, is a crucial takeaway. It reminds us that God desires His commands to permeate every aspect of our existence, not just limited to something like Sunday church attendance.
While we are no longer under the specific regulations outlined in Numbers 15, we can still glean valuable lessons from its principles.
Thankfully, we're also not subject to punishment like being stoned for occasional deliberate sins. However, this doesn't mean the law is irrelevant. Instead, it serves as a reminder of God's standards and His desire for obedience.
I’d like to close by shifting our focus to Ephesians chapter 4, particularly verse 11 as a way of interpreting what this all means for us today.
1 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
(Ephesians 4: 11-12 NKJV)
Notice how the text mentions various roles in the church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Interestingly, the word "some" precedes apostles, prophets, and evangelists, but not pastors and teachers. This subtle distinction implies that pastor and teacher are closely linked, suggesting that being a pastor is more than just holding a title; it's a spiritual gift.
The duty of a pastor-teacher, according to Ephesians 4, is to equip the saints for ministry. In essence, pastors are not merely to lead congregations but to empower and educate them for active involvement in ministry.
This reveals an important: every believer has a role to play in God's kingdom work. So, rather than viewing ministry as the sole responsibility of church leaders, we should understand that we're all called to participate actively in spreading the Gospel and serving others.
In Ephesians chapter 4, verse 12 it emphasizes the importance of ministering to one another within the church community for the edification of the body of Christ.
Each member plays a vital role, likened to joints in a body, contributing to the growth and strengthening of the whole. This underscores the principle that every believer has a responsibility to actively participate in ministry, fostering mutual support and growth.
Moving further into Ephesians chapter 5 and 6, we see God's instructions concerning various aspects of life. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, husbands to love their wives sacrificially, children to obey their parents, and fathers to nurture their children in the ways of the Lord.
Additionally, employees are urged to work diligently, not just to please their earthly masters but as unto the Lord, while masters are reminded to treat their employees with fairness and kindness.
These passages illustrate that God's Word still addresses every facet of our lives, including our church involvement, family relationships, work ethic, and personal conduct.
Thus, God's guidance extends to our thoughts, emotions, actions, and interactions in every sphere of life.
So let me conclude by simply saying don't be like an Old Testament Israelite who made a proper sacrifice and wore the proper tassels or who avoided picking up sticks, instead give us that desire by your spirit working in us to be obedient and to live lives that are honouring to you.