Numbers 15: Living a Life Pleasing to the Lord
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,
And will make an offering by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the Lord, of the herd, or of the flock:
Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the Lord bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil.
And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.
Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil.
And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the Lord:
Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.
And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid.
According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number.
All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord; as ye do, so he shall do.
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you,
Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the Lord.
Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the Lord an heave offering in your generations.
And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the Lord hath spoken unto Moses,
Even all that the Lord hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the Lord commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the Lord, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their ignorance:
And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.
Numbers 15 provides a detailed look at the offerings and observances expected of the Israelites once they entered the Promised Land. It's a chapter rich in instruction, highlighting God's grace, his expectations for his people, and the serious consequences of both unintentional and defiant sin. While the generation that left Egypt wouldn't see the promise fulfilled, God graciously laid out instructions for their children, demonstrating his enduring faithfulness. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of our covenant relationship with God and the importance of living a life that honors Him.
Voluntary Offerings: A Heart of Gratitude (15:1-16)
Upon entering the land God was giving them (15:2), the Israelites were to present voluntary offerings. These weren't sin or guilt offerings, but rather sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and fellowship (15:3-16). Whether a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a freewill offering, or one made at appointed festivals (15:3), these offerings of grain and animals were presented precisely as described (15:4-16). They were designed to show the Lord how much the people valued his covenant faithfulness, creating a "pleasing aroma for the LORD" (15:3). This emphasizes that worship isn't just about following rules, but about expressing genuine gratitude and devotion.
Firstfruits: Honoring God with the Harvest (15:17-21)
God gave regulations regarding planting crops and enjoying harvests in the promised land. When they ate from the food of the land (15:19), they were to offer a contribution to the LORD. This was the principle of the firstfruits: a loaf from the first batch of dough as a lasting ordinance throughout Israel’s generations (15:20-21). This practice acknowledged God as the source of all blessings, teaching them to prioritize Him in their lives and to share their abundance with Him.
Unintentional Sin and Defiant Disobedience (15:22-31)
The chapter then addresses sin offerings for unintentional disobedience to God's commands (15:22-29). These seem to be sins of omission that the entire community could be guilty of without even being aware of it, which nevertheless required atonement so that the people might be forgiven (15:24-25). Except for offering a goat instead of a bull as a sin offering, an individual who sinned unintentionally followed the same procedure to receive forgiveness as the willful sinner did (15:27-28). The importance of the unintentional nature of sin that God would forgive was driven home by the repetition of this word in various forms seven times in these verses.
However, there's a stark contrast drawn with "defiant sin" (15:30). Anyone who sins defiantly... blasphemes the LORD. Such a person is to be cut off from his people. His guilt remains (15:30-31). This highlights the seriousness of deliberately rejecting God's law and authority. It's a reminder that our attitude towards sin matters deeply to God.
A Lesson in Disobedience (15:32-36)
To drive home the point of 15:30-31 in a way the whole nation witnessed and probably never forgot, Numbers 15 recounts the story of a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day (15:32). This was a blatant and defiant violation of a clear command. Those who found him brought him to Moses (15:33). The Lord himself pronounced the sentence: The man is to be put to death. The entire community is to stone him outside the camp (15:35-36). This drastic action served as a powerful deterrent, instilling a healthy fear of God and the consequences of open rebellion.
Defiant sin is no laughing matter. Sometimes the judgment it brings is immediate physical death (see Acts 5:1-11). And without the perpetrator placing faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ before he or she passes, it will bring God’s eternal judgment.
Tassels as Reminders (15:37-41)
The chapter concludes with an instruction that was particularly appropriate after the incident of the man gathering wood on the Sabbath. To help the Israelites remember and obey God’s holy commandments (15:40), they were to make tassels for the corners of their garments and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner (15:38). These embellishments were to serve as visible reminders of the people’s covenant God, so that they would obey him. This practical application served as a constant, visual cue to live in accordance with God's will. It speaks to the importance of creating reminders in our own lives to stay focused on God and His commands. These tassels served as a tangible connection to their identity as God's chosen people and their responsibility to live accordingly.
Numbers 15 isn't just a collection of ancient rules and regulations. It's a timeless lesson in gratitude, obedience, and the importance of taking sin seriously. It calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we approach God with humility, reverence, and a genuine desire to honor Him in all that we do.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,
And will make an offering by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the Lord, of the herd, or of the flock:
Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the Lord bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil.
And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.
Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil.
And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the Lord:
Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.
And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid.
According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number.
All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord; as ye do, so he shall do.
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you,
Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the Lord.
Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the Lord an heave offering in your generations.
And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the Lord hath spoken unto Moses,
Even all that the Lord hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the Lord commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the Lord, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their ignorance:
And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.
Numbers 15 provides a detailed look at the offerings and observances expected of the Israelites once they entered the Promised Land. It's a chapter rich in instruction, highlighting God's grace, his expectations for his people, and the serious consequences of both unintentional and defiant sin. While the generation that left Egypt wouldn't see the promise fulfilled, God graciously laid out instructions for their children, demonstrating his enduring faithfulness. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of our covenant relationship with God and the importance of living a life that honors Him.
Voluntary Offerings: A Heart of Gratitude (15:1-16)
Upon entering the land God was giving them (15:2), the Israelites were to present voluntary offerings. These weren't sin or guilt offerings, but rather sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and fellowship (15:3-16). Whether a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a freewill offering, or one made at appointed festivals (15:3), these offerings of grain and animals were presented precisely as described (15:4-16). They were designed to show the Lord how much the people valued his covenant faithfulness, creating a "pleasing aroma for the LORD" (15:3). This emphasizes that worship isn't just about following rules, but about expressing genuine gratitude and devotion.
Firstfruits: Honoring God with the Harvest (15:17-21)
God gave regulations regarding planting crops and enjoying harvests in the promised land. When they ate from the food of the land (15:19), they were to offer a contribution to the LORD. This was the principle of the firstfruits: a loaf from the first batch of dough as a lasting ordinance throughout Israel’s generations (15:20-21). This practice acknowledged God as the source of all blessings, teaching them to prioritize Him in their lives and to share their abundance with Him.
Unintentional Sin and Defiant Disobedience (15:22-31)
The chapter then addresses sin offerings for unintentional disobedience to God's commands (15:22-29). These seem to be sins of omission that the entire community could be guilty of without even being aware of it, which nevertheless required atonement so that the people might be forgiven (15:24-25). Except for offering a goat instead of a bull as a sin offering, an individual who sinned unintentionally followed the same procedure to receive forgiveness as the willful sinner did (15:27-28). The importance of the unintentional nature of sin that God would forgive was driven home by the repetition of this word in various forms seven times in these verses.
However, there's a stark contrast drawn with "defiant sin" (15:30). Anyone who sins defiantly... blasphemes the LORD. Such a person is to be cut off from his people. His guilt remains (15:30-31). This highlights the seriousness of deliberately rejecting God's law and authority. It's a reminder that our attitude towards sin matters deeply to God.
A Lesson in Disobedience (15:32-36)
To drive home the point of 15:30-31 in a way the whole nation witnessed and probably never forgot, Numbers 15 recounts the story of a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day (15:32). This was a blatant and defiant violation of a clear command. Those who found him brought him to Moses (15:33). The Lord himself pronounced the sentence: The man is to be put to death. The entire community is to stone him outside the camp (15:35-36). This drastic action served as a powerful deterrent, instilling a healthy fear of God and the consequences of open rebellion.
Defiant sin is no laughing matter. Sometimes the judgment it brings is immediate physical death (see Acts 5:1-11). And without the perpetrator placing faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ before he or she passes, it will bring God’s eternal judgment.
Tassels as Reminders (15:37-41)
The chapter concludes with an instruction that was particularly appropriate after the incident of the man gathering wood on the Sabbath. To help the Israelites remember and obey God’s holy commandments (15:40), they were to make tassels for the corners of their garments and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner (15:38). These embellishments were to serve as visible reminders of the people’s covenant God, so that they would obey him. This practical application served as a constant, visual cue to live in accordance with God's will. It speaks to the importance of creating reminders in our own lives to stay focused on God and His commands. These tassels served as a tangible connection to their identity as God's chosen people and their responsibility to live accordingly.
Numbers 15 isn't just a collection of ancient rules and regulations. It's a timeless lesson in gratitude, obedience, and the importance of taking sin seriously. It calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we approach God with humility, reverence, and a genuine desire to honor Him in all that we do.