Numbers 15
Main Highlights
This chapter details further laws and instructions given by God concerning various offerings and sacrifices to be observed once Israel enters the Promised Land. It emphasizes the importance of making atonement for both intentional and unintentional sins, outlining specific procedures for reconciliation. The narrative also includes the severe consequence for willful disobedience, exemplified by the man who gathered wood on the Sabbath, underscoring God's holiness and the gravity of His commands.
Key Verses
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, and you offer to the Lord from the herd or flock an offering by fire or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, a pleasing aroma to the Lord..."— Numbers 15:2-3
"But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is a native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him."— Numbers 15:30-31
"Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which lead you to whoredom."— Numbers 15:38-39
Scholar Insight
"The law is not against the promises of God, but serves to lead us to Christ, in whom all the promises are fulfilled." - Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians
Questions
What do we learn about God?
We learn about God's absolute holiness and His meticulous demand for pure worship and obedience from His people. His detailed instructions for offerings and for dealing with sin demonstrate His concern for maintaining a holy relationship with Israel. "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, and you offer to the Lord from the herd or flock an offering by fire or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, a pleasing aroma to the Lord..." - Numbers 15:2-3.
How is Christ Connected?
The various offerings and sacrifices described in this chapter, particularly those for unintentional sins, profoundly foreshadow Jesus Christ's ultimate and perfect sacrifice. These Old Testament rituals were types pointing to the one complete atonement provided by Christ, who would bear the sins of many. "And if you unwittingly fail to observe all these commandments, which the Lord has spoken to Moses, all that the Lord has commanded you by Moses, from the day that the Lord gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations, then if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, the whole congregation shall offer one bull from the herd for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the rule, and one male goat for a sin offering." - Numbers 15:22-24.
What Theology concept is taught?
This chapter heavily emphasizes the theology of atonement, demonstrating God's provision for covering sin and restoring fellowship with His people. The prescribed rituals for unintentional sins highlight the necessity of a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of transgression, laying foundational truths about sin's gravity and God's gracious remedy. "And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their offering, a food offering to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord for their mistake." - Numbers 15:25.
Do we see Law or Grace?
Numbers 15 clearly delineates the law through specific commands regarding offerings, vows, and the severe consequences for willful sin, underscoring God's demand for obedience and moral purity. Yet, the provisions for unintentional sins also reveal a measure of God's grace, allowing for atonement and forgiveness when mistakes are made and a proper sacrifice is offered. "And if you unwittingly fail to observe all these commandments... and one male goat for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven..." - Numbers 15:22-25.
Personal Application
We should respond by diligently striving to obey God's commandments, recognizing the serious nature of willful sin and its consequences, as seen in the Sabbath-breaker. Furthermore, we should humbly acknowledge our unintentional transgressions and seek God's atonement, trusting in His provision for forgiveness and living a life mindful of His commands. "And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which lead you to whoredom." - Numbers 15:39.
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