Numbers 15:1-41
15:1-21 Offerings have changed since the Book of Numbers was written. We look to the New Testament to find out how. Our lives have becoming offerings to the Lord in that, how we choose to live is a testimony of our love for Him. We do not make material, food or animal offerings, instead we offer our service. We devote our lives to emulating our heavenly Father.
The guidelines of doing so are outlined in what is called "The Sermon on the Mount." Spoken by Jesus in the Book of Matthew, chapters 5-7. God's will and nature is meticulously explained for our benefit.
15:22-29 We no longer offer burned offerings, instead we work through spiritual restitution when we have made a mistake intentionally or unintentionally. We find redemption in learning and growing and doing better.
God cancelled burnt-offerings in Hosea 6:6 and Isaiah 1:11. Those practices are elementary. Defunct. Antiquated. God's goal is to change the world with our participation. In order to make an offering to Him, make an offering to one of His children. Matthew 25:31-46 explains to us that what we do for others we do for God.
If you want to make good on something you have done (by accident or not), you have an entire world full of people through which to do it.
15:30-31 People who sin presumptuously are to be exiled. God wants evil cleared out. This word: presumptuous in the original text is to exalt. Anyone who exalts, celebrates, parades evil should be completely cut off.
15:32-36 Something does not add up in these verses, right? God has given the commandment not to kill. Not only that, God does not condone violence. Likely this man was not as innocent as the text alludes. He was probably an example of presumptuous evil, deliberate action against God. Evil, then, rather than the man, is supposed to be cut out and not tolerated.
15:37-40 God comes up this with idea of tassels on clothes. The tassel is to serve as a reminder of the commandments. We know how fickle the children of Israel have been (and still are in our generation) and so a reminder of their commitment to God is not a terrible idea.
For we are often inclined to "cheat" on God. With various idols because of selfishness, greed or lust. God is basically saying: do whatever you need to do to continuously remind yourself of your oath of faith.
15:41 God reminds them (and us): I am the Lord your God. He says it three times! He's going to continue to say it because He knows that we need reassurance. We need a reminder that we have been claimed by Him. Let's finish with Isaiah 43:1-7.
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
