Read Numbers 5 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
5:1-4 {p} Put out of the camp the unclean and defiled
5:5-10 {p} Making restitution when YHVH has been trespassed against
5:11-31 {p} The law of a jealous husband and an unfaithful wife
The reason the lepers and such are to be put out of the camp, is that Israel may not defile their camp in the midst of which YHVH dwells (Num 5:3). The instruction concerning restitution is given in the context of committing sin in unfaithfulness against YHVH (Num 5:6). The law of the jealous husband likewise is about a wife who behaves unfaithfully toward her husband (Num 5:12) and so defiles herself (Num 5:13). Are we beginning to see a Pattern (which is a teaching tool of Scripture)?
Chapter 5 is teaching us, that just as uncleanness defiles the camp where YHVH dwells, so sin defiles the camp where YHVH dwells. Confession must be made of sin, which is unfaithfulness to YHVH, and restitution must be made for sin. When Israel sins (as the unfaithful wife sins) and does not make confession (as the unfaithful wife has kept her unfaithfulness a secret) then Israel’s husband, YHVH, becomes jealous over His people, because their hearts are not fully His. Wives are to separate themselves only to their husbands, as Israel is to separate herself and keep the devotion of her heart only to YHVH.
Does YHVH fully have our hearts? The law of the jealous husband is at the heart of the narrative concerning separation, consecration, and dedication of YHVH’s holy things to Himself! ♥
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