NUMBERS LESSON 20
We will begin this lesson in Numbers 15:1 "And the LORD spake
unto Moses, saying,"
This is a new message entirely.
Numbers 15:2 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto
them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give
unto you,"
God has not changed His mind. The descendents of these Israelites
will have the land that is their habitation. The commandments given
here, are for the time of their habitation of the land.
Numbers 15:3 "And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a
burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill
offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the
LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:"
These laws of sacrifice were forever. Jesus fulfilled them for
all who would believe, when He gave Himself on the cross. After Jesus,
there is no more need to sacrifice. The The burnt offering is when the
sacrifice is burned up completely. Symbolically, the person's body who
offers this is purged from sin with this fire. The freewill was not of
obligation. All of the things above, were a way of man drawing himself
into close fellowship with his God. The offerings and sacrifices were
pleasant to God, when they were done with a willing heart. The "sweet
savour" is speaking of sweet smell rising to God.
Numbers 15:4 "Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the
LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the
fourth [part] of an hin of oil."
The meat offering contains the makings for bread. Jesus is the
Bread. All of the sacrifices symbolize Jesus in some way. Leviticus
2:1 "And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his
offering shall be [of] fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and
put frankincense thereon:" Frankincense accompanied the meat offering.
Numbers 15:5 "And the fourth [part] of an hin of wine for a drink
offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for
one lamb."
The drink offering, like the meat offering, was a cleansing to
fellowship with God. Wine, many times, symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The
blood of an animal, in sacrifice, could not totally do away with sin.
It could cover the sin, but not abolish it. The blood of the perfect
Lamb {Jesus Christ} abolished sin for all who will believe.
Numbers 15:6 "Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare [for] a meat
offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third [part] of an
hin of oil."
The ram offering was under the heading of the bloody offering. It
was, generally, thought of as a cleansing from sin. The lamb, or the
ram, was usually a male of around one year old. It must have no
blemishes, because it symbolized the sinless Christ.
Numbers 15:7 "And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third
[part] of an hin of wine, [for] a sweet savour unto the LORD."
The drink offering was in proportion to the size of the animal
sacrificed with it.
Numbers 15:8 "And when thou preparest a bullock [for] a burnt
offering, or [for] a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings
unto the LORD:" Numbers 15:9 "Then shall he bring with a bullock a
meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin
of oil." Numbers 15:10 "And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half
an hin of wine, [for] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto
the LORD."
I put these three together, so you could see the meat, bread, and
wine were together.
Numbers 15:11 "Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one
ram, or for a lamb, or a kid." Numbers 15:12 "According to the number
that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their
number."
The portions of bread and wine, mentioned, are for one animal.
Of course, if there are two animals, the bread and wine were doubled.
Numbers 15:13 "All that are born of the country shall do these
things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a
sweet savour unto the LORD."
If you were Hebrew by birth, this pertained to you. These
offerings would be accepted as a sweet smell to the LORD.
Numbers 15:14 "And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever
[be] among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by
fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do."
The stranger is speaking of someone who is not Hebrew. If they
want to sacrifice, they are to be allowed to. They must follow the
same regulations as the Hebrew.
Numbers 15:15 "One ordinance [shall be both] for you of the
congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth [with you], an
ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye [are], so shall the
stranger be before the LORD."
There is one law for all. If the stranger lives in the camp, he
is like one of the congregation. There are no allowances made for one
over the other. This, is saying there is One God of Jew and Gentile.
Numbers 15:16 "One law and one manner shall be for you, and for
the stranger that sojourneth with you."
In these lessons, God is telling the Jew to forget about being
exclusive with God. God is the Father of us all. Leviticus 24:22 "Ye
shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of
your own country: for I [am] the LORD your God."
Numbers 15:17 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
We see a break in God's instructions on sacrifices.
Numbers 15:18 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto
them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you,"
Again, these ordinances are for keeping in the land of promise.
They will be obligated to keep them forever, after they receive their
homeland.
Numbers 15:19 "Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread
of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD."
This is offering the bread first to God, before eating of it.
Christians practice firstfruits of the resurrection, when we celebrate
Sunday, instead of Saturday.
Numbers 15:20 "Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your
dough [for] an heave offering: as [ye do] the heave offering of the
threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it."
Even the dough, before it is cooked, should be offered first to
God. Ezekiel 44:30 "And the first of all the firstfruits of all
[things], and every oblation of all, of every [sort] of your
oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest
the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in
thine house."
Numbers 15:21 "Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the
LORD an heave offering in your generations."
This offering was given, in addition to the first of the corn and
wheat. It is, also, given in addition to the first of the finished
bread. It seems at each step of preparation, the first of it was to be
offered to the LORD.
Numbers 15:22 "And if ye have erred, and not observed all these
commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,"
These commandments are given to them 40 years before they enter
the promised land. It would be easy to overlook this, after that
length of time. "If" indicates that some of them will err in this.
Numbers 15:23 "[Even] all that the LORD hath commanded you by the
hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded [Moses], and
henceforward among your generations;"
The commandments are brought down from generation to generation.
Sometimes, we get careless after so long a time.
Numbers 15:24 "Then it shall be, if [ought] be committed by
ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the
congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a
sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink
offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin
offering."
This is a sin of ignorance, not on purpose. It is, also, a sin of
omission, rather than commission. All of the congregation must
sacrifice the sacrifice for sin.
Numbers 15:25 "And the priest shall make an atonement for all the
congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them;
for it [is] ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a
sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before
the LORD, for their ignorance:"
Leviticus 1:4 "And he shall put his hand upon the head of the
burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for
him." The putting of his hands on the head of the offering transferred
his guilt to the animal. This is the very thing Jesus did for all of
us, when He took our sins upon His body. He was our atonement. Luke
23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what
they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
Numbers 15:26 "And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of
the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them;
seeing all the people [were] in ignorance."
The stranger and the congregation were treated the same. They
sinned in ignorance, and God is more forgiving than for a sin in full
knowledge.
Numbers 15:27 "And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he
shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering."
The offering was less than for a sin committed in full knowledge.
This is, probably, a sin of omitting the commandments.
Numbers 15:28 "And the priest shall make an atonement for the
soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the
LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him."
As in the lamb, the hands were placed on the animal's head to
transfer guilt. The act of the sacrifice shows they repented, and
sought forgiveness. Colossians 2:13 "And you, being dead in your sins
and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with
him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"
Numbers 15:29 "Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through
ignorance, [both for] him that is born among the children of Israel,
and for the stranger that sojourneth among them."
Exodus 12:49 "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto
the stranger that sojourneth among you." Romans 3:29 "[Is he] the God
of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the
Gentiles also:" Romans 3:30 "Seeing [it is] one God, which shall
justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith."
Forgiveness and salvation are for whosoever will. Romans 10:13 "For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Numbers 15:30 "But the soul that doeth [ought] presumptuously,
[whether he be] born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth
the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people."
This is speaking of those who knew the commandment, and the
consequences of not keeping them. This is deliberate sin against God.
We might even call it defying God. This is total rejection of God and
His law.
Numbers 15:31 "Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and
hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his
iniquity [shall be] upon him."
This is total rejection of Jesus {Word of God}. He deliberately
breaks God's law. The sin against the Holy Ghost, in my opinion, is to
die totally rejecting Jesus. There is no forgiveness for this.
Numbers 15:32 "And while the children of Israel were in the
wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath
day."
This is a deliberate breaking of the law of sabbath. This man has
had no regard for God's law.
Numbers 15:33 "And they that found him gathering sticks brought
him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation."
He was brought to the tabernacle, for judgement to be passed upon
him.
Numbers 15:34 "And they put him in ward, because it was not
declared what should be done to him."
This is saying, they kept him locked up, until they sentenced
him.
Moses was waiting on the LORD to tell him how to punish the man.
Numbers 15:35 "And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be
surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones
without the camp."
The reason it was important for everyone to be in on the stoning,
was to show their approval of the punishment. He was to be taken
outside the camp, and stoned to death, so as not to defile the camp.
Numbers 15:36 "And all the congregation brought him without the
camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded
Moses."
This is just saying, they carried out the punishment. This
should, also, be a sign to anyone else who thought about committing
this sin. Some people believe capital punishment to be a deterrent to
crime.
Numbers 15:37 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
We see another break in the message, here. God speaks, again, to
Moses.
Numbers 15:38 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them
that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments
throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the
borders a ribband of blue:"
The fringes, on a ribband of blue, at the hem of their garment,
was to remind them of the heavenly. Blue means heavenly. Everytime
they took a step, they could see the ribband of blue. The blue
reminded them they were to walk in a heavenly manner. I say that after
a person has been saved, they must walk in their salvation. This is
exactly what this is saying. We must walk, everyday, pleasing unto
God.
Numbers 15:39 "And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may
look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do
them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes,
after which ye use to go a whoring:"
Everytime the walker took a step, it reminded him of the heavenly
commandments. They must keep the lust of their eyes, and the lust of
their flesh, under control. They must live and walk for God.
Numbers 15:40 "That ye may remember, and do all my commandments,
and be holy unto your God."
To be sons of God is an everyday following of the LORD. They had
to keep the commandments all the time. We must walk pleasing to God
Sunday through Saturday, not just one day a week. Christianity is a
way of life.
Numbers 15:41 "I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of
the land of Egypt, to be your God: I [am] the LORD your God."
Christianity is based on the fact that Jesus Christ is our Lord,
as well as Saviour. The Hebrew religion was based on The LORD being
their God. God will not force Himself upon them, or us. For Him to be
our God, we must want Him to be our God. He wants to be our God.
Numbers 20 Questions
1. The commandments of God, given to Moses, here, are for when?
2. The laws of sacrifice were ___________.
3. Who fulfilled all of them?
4. What does the burnt offering do symbolically, for the person who
offers?
5. All of the sacrifices and offerings were for what purpose?
6. What is the "sweet savour" speaking of?
7. What does the meat offering contain?
8. Quote Leviticus chapter 2 verse 1.
9. What does wine, many times, symbolize?
10. What was all the blood of an animal could do for sin?
11. The ram for the offering was about ____ year old.
12. Why must it be without blemish?
13. The meat, bread, and wine were offered _________.
14. If you had more than one animal to sacrifice, how did that affect
the bread and wine?
15. Was there any difference for the offering of a stranger?
16. What does the heave offering show?
17. Even the ________, before it was cooked, should be offered up to
God.
18. Quote Ezekiel chapter 44 verse 30.
19. These ordinances were given ________ years before they would be
carried out.
20. The sin of ignorance is, also, a sin of __________.
21. Quote Leviticus chapter 1 verse 4.
22. Quote Luke chapter 23 verse 34.
23. What did they bring to be sacrificed for the sin of ignorance?
24. Why were the hands of the sinner placed on the animal's head?
25. Quote Colossians chapter 2 verse 13.
26. What is verse 30 speaking of?
27. Why shall that soul be cut off?
28. What was the man doing that broke sabbath?
29. Who pronounced his sentence?
30. How was he punished?
31. Why was it important for everyone to participate in his
punishment?
32. Why were they to wear fringes on the bottom of their garments?
33. What color was the ribbon the fringe was sewed to?
34. What does that say to the Christian?
35. Quote Numbers chapter 15 verse 41.
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