The Lord gave instructions for unintentional sins yesterday, ending with the reminder that the Israelite who intentionally breaks God’s law “with a high hand” will face the punishment that he justly deserves. Today’s story picks up there, with a man punished for breaking the Sabbath. While this might not seem like a serious sin to us, the original audience would have known this as a deliberate, public show of disobedience and defiance against God.
In this passage I’m reminded of a few things:
God is just. Our rebellion is costly, and our sin is more offensive to God than we tend to think. All sin is serious to God and demonstrates the rebellious nature of our hearts.
God will vindicate Himself when we fail to give him the glory He deserves and commands. The man who knows and willfully disobeys the law and disrespects God’s authority has put himself at odds with the righteous God.
Praise God that Jesus made a way, so that we do not have to pay for our own rebellion. What great mercy and grace are offered to us through Jesus. Because he bore the punishment that our sin deserves, we do not have to die for our rebellion. Our repentance and God’s forgiveness allow for reconciliation between a holy and just God and rebellious people.
Numbers 15:32-36
32 While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. 35 And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What does it mean to “revile the Lord” from yesterday’s reading [v. 30-31]
+ How does gathering sticks on the Sabbath demonstrate reviling the Lord? [v.32]
+ What do the people do with the lawbreaker? What does God say? [v. 34-5]
+ What does this teach us about God’s character and human nature?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Are there places in my life where I knowingly disobey and disrespect the Lord and His plan for human flourishing outlined in His Word?
+ Have I acknowledged the cost of my rebellion that Jesus paid for me lately?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?