Read Numbers 15 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
15:1-16 {p} One law for the native born and stranger re: bread + wine w/ burnt offerings
15:17-21 {s} Firstfruits heave offering when Israel comes into the land
15:22-26 {s} When the congregation sins unintentionally, it shall be forgiven, native + stranger
15:27-31 {p} One Law for the native born and the stranger when an individual sins unintentionally or presumptuously
15:32-34 {s} Man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath
15:35-36 {p} Man who sinned presumptuously stoned with stones
15:37-41 {p} Law of tassels on the four corners of the garments
Most people read the passage about the man who was stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day, and accuse God of being angry, wrathful, vindictive, and judgmental. But follow with me:
This incident is bracketed by two interesting statements. First,
“But the soul who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born, or a stranger, that one reproaches YHVH, and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of YHVH, and has broken His commandment, that soul shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.” Num 15:30-31
Next is the Num 15:32-36 {p} Man gathering sticks on the Sabbath stoned with stones paragraph, followed by,
And YHVH spoke unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make tassels for themselves in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the tassel of the borders a thread of blue; and it shall be unto you for a tassel, that you may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of YHVH, and do them; and that you follow not after your past harlotry, after your own heart and your own eyes; that you may remember, and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God. I am YHVH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am YHVH your God.” Num 15:37-41
Scripture is showing us that the man did not go out and break the Sabbath as a mistake; but he set his heart intentionally and deliberately to break the Sabbath by gathering sticks on it. He might have decided that since he wasn’t going to enter the Promised Land, but die in the wilderness, then what good was serving God?
Consider that the first section of Ten Commandments, wherein is the Sabbath commandment, was given to teach us how to love God, and the last section of Ten Commandments was given to teach us how to love our neighbor. Deliberately breaking the Sabbath commandment was the man’s easiest way to communicate, “I hate God.”
These things happened as an example to instruct us, so that we Learn from the Narrative.
Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor 10:11-12
The instruction: “If you love Me, keep My commandments,” (Joh 14:15). If you hate Me, maliciously flaunt My commandments.
“Not every one who says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and have, in Your name, cast out demons, and in Your name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I confess unto them, “I never knew you: depart from Me, you who practice Law-lessness.” Mat 7:21-23
In fact, the Gospel of grace is being preached from Numbers. Not only is Sabbath rest a Prophetic Type of salvation by grace through faith and not of works—for if we reject rest, that is, grace, in favor of our work, then we have rejected salvation in favor of condemnation—but also, we just saw in the previous chapter, that rejecting YHVH’s Word, or Law, is the same as rejecting Him, and comes from a heart of unbelief. Only those who believe in Messiah Yeshua will be saved.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Sabbath, the First Teacher of the Gospel – Christine Miller
Finding Messiah in Shelah Lekha, Numbers 13:1-15:41 – Christine Miller
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