Numbers 15-May 12
Following the law was not an option for the people of Israel. This truth is communicated over and over again as the Scriptures provide both the prescribed penalties for different violations but also documented incidents in which those penalties were levied against an offending party. Numbers 15 provides another such instance in verses 32-36.
In reality, this passage is the result of a warning found in verse 30 which states “But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people.” The term “high hand” refers to a person who intentionally violates the law even in light of his or her knowledge of the transgression. While all sin is deadly, willful sin extends not just from our unintentional actions but into our rebellious and dark hearts. This is why the Bible shares with us that God hates pride. Proverbs 16:5 says “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished.” Further down in that Proverb we read that “pride goes before a fall” (v. 18).
The order of these verses is instructive. Pride is a reflection of an attitude that values ourselves and our interests over and above the authority of God. God, being jealous for His own glory and rightly expecting our praise will not allow pride to go unpunished, this punishment results in our fall which is exactly what takes place in verses 32-36 of Numbers 15.
Verse 32 provides for us the offense. A man is found gathering sticks on the Sabbath. At first glance, this does not seem to be that major of an infraction. While it is true that gathering sticks is work and that God commanded the people of Israel to refrain from all activity on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10; 25:3), gathering sticks is certainly not back-breaking labor. However, the fundamental issue with this transgression is not the degree to which a command was broken, it is the heart behind the matter. Our actions are a reflection of our very heart. When we choose to ignore or actively break the commands of God we are displaying for ourselves and for others that our hearts are far from the Lord. As we reflect on this reality, we must come to the place where we understand that our hearts truly are desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Our sinful actions are the overflow of an unbelievably depraved heart.
This truth is why we need a Savior. You see, just like the man gathering sticks, you and I are guilty of “high handed” sin on a daily basis. We regularly spit in the face of God by ignoring and/or willfully disobeying His commands on our life. When we truly understand our depravity, we grow to realize that wonder of the Gospel. God did not come to redeem slightly sinful people who, deep down, have good inside of them. God came to redeem the vile and wretched sinners that He still desired to save! God saw us at our absolute worst and chose to redeem us anyway! “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
While God hates sin and while He cannot look the other way as we transgress against Him. He also is a God of merciful love. God, therefore, having to punish the sin He hates while simultaneously desiring to offer salvation to His children, sent His Son to die in our place. On that day, God poured out His wrath that was stored up for us, the “high handed” sinners, so that He could offer mercy and grace to our underserving souls. To God be the glory!