Numbers 15

Numbers 15 provides additional laws for the Israelites regarding offerings, sacrifices, and how to handle unintentional and intentional sins. This chapter emphasizes the need for the Israelites to adhere to the commandments of God, while also showing His provision for forgiveness in cases of ignorance. Additionally, it highlights the seriousness of intentional rebellion and ends with a reminder to keep God's commands through the use of tassels as a visual prompt for obedience.

Numbers 15:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving to you,
3 and you make an offering by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts, to make a sweet aroma to the Lord, from the herd or the flock,

The Lord instructs Moses to tell the Israelites what to do when they enter the Promised Land. These verses highlight that when they make offerings to God—whether for fulfilling vows, freewill offerings, or feasts—these offerings must be made with the intent of pleasing the Lord. The "sweet aroma" reflects the pleasure God takes in their obedience and worship, signaling that their offerings will be a key part of their relationship with God in the land He promised them.

Numbers 15:4-5 (NKJV)
4 then he who presents his offering to the Lord shall bring a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil;
5 and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering you shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice, for each lamb.

Along with the animal sacrifice, a grain offering and a drink offering are to accompany the burnt offering. The precise measurements of fine flour, oil, and wine show the importance of giving God the best portions of what they have. These offerings are meant to symbolize thankfulness for God’s provision and care in the Promised Land, ensuring that the people remain aware of God’s role in their success and sustenance.

Numbers 15:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil;
7 and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine as a sweet aroma to the Lord.

For larger animals like rams, the grain and drink offerings are increased. This adjustment reflects that the greater the sacrifice, the greater the offering. It signifies that the Israelites should always give in proportion to what they have received from God. The emphasis on making offerings as a "sweet aroma" again highlights that the intent behind the offering is as important as the act itself.

Numbers 15:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And when you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering, or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a peace offering to the Lord,
9 then shall be offered with the young bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil;
10 and you shall bring as the drink offering half a hin of wine as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

For a young bull, the offerings increase even more. This reflects the principle that larger and more significant sacrifices require larger accompanying offerings. It also symbolizes the seriousness of vows and peace offerings, as these offerings represent important commitments and moments of thanksgiving to God. The repetitive mention of the "sweet aroma" once again emphasizes the relationship between worship and obedience to God.

Numbers 15:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Thus it shall be done for each young bull, for each ram, or for each lamb or young goat.
12 According to the number that you prepare, so you shall do with everyone according to their number.
13 All who are native-born shall do these things in this manner, in presenting an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

These verses reinforce that these instructions apply to all native-born Israelites, ensuring uniformity in worship and sacrifice. Whether the offering is a bull, ram, or goat, the process must be followed exactly as God commands. This uniformity in offerings signifies that no matter their individual status, all Israelites are to follow the same guidelines when approaching God, representing equality in their worship.

Numbers 15:14-16 (NKJV)
14 And if a stranger dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord, just as you do, so shall he do.
15 One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
16 One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.

God commands that the same rules for offerings apply to both native-born Israelites and foreigners living among them. This inclusion of foreigners in the religious system reflects God’s desire for all people to approach Him equally. The emphasis on "one law" and "one custom" shows the unity God intends for His people, regardless of their origin, and that all who come to Him must do so according to His established ways.

Numbers 15:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
18 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land to which I bring you,
19 then it will be, when you eat of the bread of the land, that you shall offer up a heave offering to the Lord.
20 You shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground meal as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall you offer it up.
21 Of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the Lord a heave offering throughout your generations.

These verses introduce the requirement of offering a portion of the first produce when the Israelites enter the Promised Land. This “heave offering” from their ground meal is an act of gratitude, acknowledging that all their provision comes from God. Offering the first fruits signifies trust in God’s continued blessing, and this practice is to be carried out by all future generations as a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Numbers 15:22-23 (NKJV)
22 If you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments which the Lord has spoken to Moses—
23 all that the Lord has commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day the Lord gave commandment and onward throughout your generations—

Here, God provides for the possibility of unintentional sin. The Israelites are reminded that failing to observe all of God’s commandments, even unknowingly, is still considered sin. These verses stress the importance of constant vigilance and careful obedience to God’s laws. However, they also indicate that God is merciful and provides a way to deal with mistakes made unintentionally, emphasizing His grace.

Numbers 15:24-26 (NKJV)
24 then it will be, if it is unintentionally committed, without the knowledge of the congregation, that the whole congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one kid of the goats as a sin offering.
25 So the priest shall make atonement for the whole congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them, for it was unintentional; they shall bring their offering, an offering made by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their unintended sin.
26 It shall be forgiven the whole congregation of the children of Israel and the stranger who dwells among them, because all the people did it unintentionally.

If the entire congregation sins unintentionally, they are required to offer a young bull and a goat for a sin offering to make atonement. This communal sacrifice highlights the collective responsibility of the people and their reliance on the priest to intercede for them. God’s forgiveness is assured as long as the sin was unintentional, emphasizing His understanding and mercy toward human error, provided there is repentance and an offering.

Numbers 15:27-29 (NKJV)
27 And if a person sins unintentionally, then he shall bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering.
28 So the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins unintentionally before the Lord, to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
29 You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them.

For individual unintentional sins, a female goat is required as an offering, and the priest acts as the mediator for forgiveness. This system underscores the role of the priesthood in maintaining a right relationship between the people and God. The same rule applies equally to both Israelites and foreigners, showing the inclusivity of God's law and His provision for all who dwell among His people.

Numbers 15:30-31 (NKJV)
30 But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.

In stark contrast to unintentional sin, deliberate, willful disobedience (presumptuous sin) is treated much more severely. Such a person brings reproach on God and is cut off from the community. This highlights the gravity of intentional rebellion against God's word. The phrase "his guilt shall be upon him" emphasizes personal responsibility and the serious consequences for openly rejecting God's commandments.

Numbers 15:32-36 (NKJV)
32 Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation.
34 They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him.
35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”
36 So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.

This passage recounts an incident where a man violated the Sabbath by gathering sticks. His act was not out of ignorance but was a willful challenge to God's authority. The severity of the punishment—death by stoning—emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s commandments, particularly the Sabbath, which was a covenant sign between God and Israel.

Soon after the return into the wilderness, an instance of Sabbath violation occurred, under circumstances that rendered it a case of peculiar guilt. The Lord's announcement that He would disinherit Israel had roused a spirit of rebellion. One of the people, angry at being excluded from Canaan, and determined to show his defiance of God's law, ventured upon the open transgression of the fourth commandment by going out to gather sticks upon the Sabbath. During the sojourn in the wilderness the kindling of fires upon the seventh day had been strictly prohibited. The prohibition was not to extend to the land of Canaan, where the severity of the climate would often render fires a necessity; but in the wilderness, fire was not needed for warmth. The act of this man was a willful and deliberate violation of the fourth commandment—a sin, not of thoughtlessness or ignorance, but of presumption. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 408.4)

What is sin of presumption?
The "sin of presumption" refers to a deliberate and willful act of disobedience against God's commandments, despite knowing what is right. It involves consciously choosing to go against God's will with a defiant attitude, often assuming that God's grace will cover the rebellion or that the consequences will not be severe. Presumption is often contrasted with ignorance or error. While ignorance stems from a lack of knowledge or understanding, presumption involves intentionally disregarding God's instructions, assuming that His mercy or grace will excuse the disobedience. This type of sin demonstrates a lack of reverence for God's authority and is considered a serious offense, as it reveals a hardened heart and a deliberate rejection of God's will. In the case of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Numbers 15), his sin was presumptuous because he knew the law but chose to openly defy it, exhibiting a rebellious and defiant attitude.

Numbers 15:37-41 (NKJV)
37 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
38 “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.
39 And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined,
40 and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God.
41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.”

God instructs the Israelites to wear tassels on their garments with a blue thread to remind them of His commandments. The tassels serve as a visual reminder to stay faithful to God’s law and not be led astray by sinful desires. This practice encourages mindfulness of God's holy standards in everyday life. God reminds them that He is their Redeemer, who brought them out of Egypt, reinforcing their need to be obedient and set apart as His people.