Numbers 15

These instructions suggest that the Israelites would eventually live in the promised land (14:31; 15:18).

Chapters 1–14 cover a short time period, but chapter 15 marks the start of a long period. This is the main part of the forty years in the wilderness, about which little is known. There are references to events during this time (for example, Deuteronomy 8:2–6; 29:5–6; Joshua 5:4–8; Ezekiel 20:10–26; Amos 5:25–26; Acts 7:42–43).

During this period, Moses continued to give laws to guide Israel’s life as a nation. These laws would be especially important in the future. They were meant for the day when the people who survived the wilderness would enter the promised land.

This chapter addresses three main types of laws. Numbers 15 is in the middle of stories about a stubborn and disobedient Israel. It offers hope that the promised land still waited for the next generation of Israel’s people.

an offering … a pleasing aroma to the LORD: Honor and thanks through sacrifices and offerings pleases God.

All people in the land, both Israelites and foreigners, were to be equal before the Lord in all matters (see also Leviticus 24:22).

These gifts were signs of gratitude to God for the crops he provided. The people were not to give these offerings right away. They were to begin after the Hebrews reached the promised land.

At that time, they would settle there and begin planting crops. Then they would bring these gifts to thank God for the harvest.

Sins done without knowing were treated differently from sins done on purpose (15:30–31). The law also made a difference between the actions of the whole community and the actions of one person (see also Leviticus 4–5).

• Atonement (the way God provides forgiveness and restores a relationship with him) could be made for sins done without knowing or by accident (15:22–29). However, a person who sinned openly and proudly was treated differently (literally with a high hand; compare Exodus 14:8). Such a person showed open disrespect toward God. This was considered blasphemy (speaking against God in a dishonoring way). That person had to face serious consequences (compare Leviticus 24:10–16; see also Deuteronomy 17:2–6; Hebrews 10:26–31).

• cut off from among his people: See study notes on Exodus 31:14–15; Leviticus 7:20–21.

This story gives an example of what Numbers 15:30–31 teaches. The Sabbath was the Lord’s holy day. The people were not allowed to ignore it or treat it as unimportant (Exodus 20:8–11; 31:14–15; 35:1–3).

Although it was clear that the man was guilty, the community might have been unsure about his punishment. The death sentence was appropriate because ignoring the Sabbath showed a rejection of God's gracious covenant with Israel (Exodus 31:12–17). It was similar to blasphemy (Numbers 15:30; Leviticus 24:10–16; compare 1 Timothy 1:20).

• If the Hebrews had remembered their special relationship with the Lord, they might have avoided the problems in Numbers. The tassels reminded Israel of their unique bond with a holy God and his expectations. He had freed his people from Egypt. Consistent with his call to a covenant relationship, he expected them to observe the law (see Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Matthew 9:20; 14:36; 23:5).

• The color blue was a sign of royalty, which means kingship or rule. It also reminded the people of God’s holiness.