SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 15
BIBLE VERSES:
“For the generations to come, whenever a foreigner or anyone else living among you presents a food offering as an aroma pleasing to the Lord, they must do exactly as you do. The community is to have the same rules for you and for the foreigner residing among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the Lord: The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing among you.’” (Numbers 15:14-16)
“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land to which I am taking you and you eat the food of the land, present a portion as an offering to the Lord. Present a loaf from the first of your ground meal and present it as an offering from the threshing floor. Throughout the generations to come you are to give this offering to the Lord from the first of your ground meal.” (Numbers 15:17-21)
“But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the Lord and must be cut off from the people of Israel. Because they have despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.’” (Numbers 15:30-31)
SUPPLEMENTARY OFFERINGS (vs. 1-21)
When the Israelites enter into the promised land, they have to present to the Lord offerings (burnt offerings or sacrifices, freewill or testimonial offerings or vows) made by fire from the herd on the flock. The one who brings the offering shall present a grain offering of 1./10 of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil. For the burnt offering as the sacrifice with a lamb, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. For offering with a ram, prepare 2/10 of an ephah of fine flour mixed with 1/3 of a hin of oil and 1/3 of a hin of wine as a drink offering. For offering with a young bull, bring a grain offering of 3/10 of an ephah of fine flour mixed with 1/2 hin of oil and 1/2 hin of wine as drink offering. These rules and regulations must be applied to every native born or alien or anyone living among them through the generations to come.
OFFERINGS FOR UNINTENTIONAL SINS (vs. 22-31)
Those in the community who sin unintentionally or fail to keep the commands of the lord must offer a young bull for a burnt offering with its prescribe grain and drink offering and a male goat for sin offering. The priest will make atonement and they will be forgiven.
But if only one person sins unintentionaly, he must brings a year-old female goat for sin offering and the priests is to make atonement for him. Then he will be forgiven.
But anyone whether natural born or alien who sins defiantly and blasphemes the Lord, that person must be cut off from his people.
THE SABBATH BREAKER PUT TO DEATH (vs. 32-36)
A man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath. He was brought to Moses and Aaron. The Lord told Moses to stone him to death. They did as the Lord commanded.
TASSELS ON GARMENTS (vs. 37-40)
The Lord commanded Moses to speak to the Israelites to do this: Make tassels on the corners of your garments with a blue cord on each tassel. These tassels will remind you of all the commandments of the Lord that you must obey. Do not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Remember to obey all my commands. Consecrate yourself to the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God.”
THOUGHTS:
In this chapter, the Lord gave assurance to let His people enter into the Promised Land. He made provision for the forgiveness of unintentional sins with the sacrifice of animals. But those who deliberately sin and violate his mands will be punished and dealt with. He also gave reminders through the tassels so that they will respect and obey His commandments.
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