Numbers 15

After all that has taken place, even after the people did not obey God in the incident with those he sent to spy out the land, though they would not go in when He commanded them to go in, and though they insisted on going in when He told them not to go in, the Lord was still the God of Israel. God was still speaking to Moses, and He still had words for the congregation through His chosen mediator.

Life went on. The future generation would go into the land one day. There they would offer to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings, and sacrifices. They would include a grain offering and a wine offering with it as appropriate. Even sojourners would come through the land and follow these commands.

Amazing. We had almost thought it was all over. But the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. Even when all seems lost.

The land was a good land, and the descendants of Jacob would have that land one day. They would bring their contributions to the Lord, even the first of their dough as a contribution to the Lord throughout their generations. There is something so comforting about this. Heaven is good. Despite our foolishness and rebellion, we will eat of the fruit of that land.

This continuity of God's eternal purpose did not mean that sin was suddenly OK. Even unintentional sin required sacrifice. Thanks be to God for His Son, the Lamb. The requirements of God have been fully met in His obedience and atoning death. Without this, nothing makes sense, and there can be no real peace. We have been forgiven.

High-handed sin against the Lord? I wouldn't try it... A Sabbath breaker was executed by God's direct instruction.

Israel needed to do all of God's Law. All of it. That was a burden that we and those who went before us could not bear. We could have worn the tassels on our garments. We could not have fully obeyed. Christ did that for us. That's why God can say, “I am the Lord your God.”