Numbers Chapter 15
After the terrible rebellion that took place in the previous chapter, it should be no surprise that God would remind the people of His call to holiness. He wanted them to understand that He is holy, and He calls His people to live holy lives. He reminded them of how He wanted to be worshipped especially once they entered the promised land.
In the promised land there would be more opportunity to fully worship God as He had commanded since they would have the harvest of the land and of the vine. We also find that God invited the stranger or the sojourner who would live amongst the Israelites to participate in the worship of God. This reminds me of the future day that will come and the whole world will worship Jesus. There will no longer be thousands of religions and thousands of gods. There will only be worship of the One True God. What a glorious day that will be.
Let's Reflect
1. According to verse 4 what additional item would the Israelite need to bring with his sacrificial offering?
2. According to verse 7 what type of drink offering would they bring when in the new promised land?
3. As we read through the directions for bringing items to the tabernacle for sacrifice and for worship, we realize that they are being asked to think of God first. They are bringing the first of their harvest and the best of what they had to God. All of this was offered to God to satisfy or to be a successful offering to Him. This is described as being what to God? See verse 10.
4. God offered a way to seek forgiveness if the whole congregation sinned unintentionally or if an individual sinned unintentionally. The sacrifice and confession brought to the priest would produce forgiveness for that person. This was true for the native Israelite as well as whom?
5. There are those who would rebel and sin intentionally. This person is someone who reviles against the Lord and would be cut off. Then an example is given of someone who intentionally sinned and reviled against God and His commandments. Every Israelite knew that God commanded they were not to do work on the Sabbath, but one man reviled. He was taken into custody. What was his judgement for reviling against God’s holy commandment?
6. If you have watched the series “The Chosen” and have noticed that all the Jews wore a braid or tassel on the corners of the robes you will find the reason in the final verses of this chapter. We learn that the tassels were to be a beautiful reminder. What is it a reminder of?
