Now I am confused. The chapter begins with instructions from the Lord....”When you finally settle in the land I am going to give you, and you want to please the Lord with a burnt offering or any other offering given by fire, the sacrifice must be an animal from your flocks of sheep and goats or from your herds of cattle.” (Numbers 15:2-3)
90% of this chapter discusses what to sacrifice and how to sacrifice offerings to the Lord. This is a strange time to talk about offerings to God. God just told the people of Israel in the previous chapter that they all will die in the wilderness! They will wander the wilderness for forty years! He even struck 10 of the 12 leaders from the tribes of Israel with a plague, causing immediate death, for reporting discouraging information about the land of Canaan. Is this chapter misplaced? If not, what are the Israelites thinking knowing that God has abandoned them? Have they mentally checked out...what is there to live for if they’re just going to die in the wilderness? I would imagine that many of the Israelite’s attitudes changed from sadness to anger knowing they would die in the wilderness, and they would push back against following basic laws, rituals, offerings, and sacrifices. But maybe not...just thinking out loud..
A few key observations, however, that supports this chapter being exactly where it needs to be is….1. The chapter ends with referencing the people of Israel still being in the wilderness.
2. God wants the people to attach tassels to their clothing to remind them of the Lord’s commands, and 3. God ends saying, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God.”
Is God feeling less angry now? It sounds like He wants to still bless His people! However, are the people still listening to God? Are they less likely to follow God’s commands now that He’s stripped His promise away from them?
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us live our lives in a way that is pleasing to you so we continually receive your favor. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER
Yes!!! Thank you, Lord! Well said, vrfant!
Just a thought. How many times in our lives have we disobeyed the Lord and missed out on His blessings? Too many for me to count! We are still His people and He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us! Thank God for His enduring grace and mercy!