July 23, 2024

Numbers 15:32-41 (HCSB)
Sabbath Violation
32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the entire community. 34 They placed him in custody because it had not been decided what should be done to him. 35 Then the Lord told Moses, “The man is to be put to death. The entire community is to stone him outside the camp.”
36 So the entire community brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Tassels for Remembrance 37 The Lord said to Moses, 38 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. 39 These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the Lord’s commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. 40 This way you will remember and obey all My commands and be holy to your God. 41 I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am Yahweh your God.”

Mackenzie Tomes
At the end of yesterday’s reading, God instructs Moses on what should be done when someone sins “defiantly.” The beginning of today’s reading provides just such an example of sin. A man was found collecting wood on the Sabbath day. His punishment may seem quite extreme to us. But here’s what Exodus 35:1-3 says, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do. Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.” We talked about sin offerings and guilt offerings for unintentional sin yesterday. There was no prescribed offering for defiant sin. Even though it may seem extreme to us, this man was put to death because he disregarded God’s command (that he was well aware of), and decided that he had a better idea. His pride caused him to test God. Let’s remember today that God always knows what is best for us. Let’s put our faith in Him instead of in our own plans and ideas.