Numbers 15
One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel...
Offerings were made to the LORD if one or the whole congregation unintentionally failed to observe the commandments of the LORD. However, if one intentionally or high-handedly failed to observe the commandments they were to be put out of the congregation, the community. No rotten apples were allowed to stay in the community to taint the whole bunch. This applied to residents and alien visitors alike. Visitors were welcomed, but they needed to follow the laws of God, just as the Israelites were expected to.
The story of a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath is given a death sentence for purposely violating the Sabbath law of God to show us how serious God is about the breaking of his ordinances. The people weren't sure what to do, so they asked God. God told them to take him outside the camp and stone him. Contrary to popular opinion, it was not just the religious leaders of Jesus' day that took the Sabbath laws so seriously. They did not initiate these laws. These laws began way back, in the beginning, as God gathered His chosen people together to lead them through the wilderness. There could be atonement made with offerings for those who broke God's laws unintentionally. But, there was none for those who sinned purposely.
The Israelites were ordered to wear fringes on the corners of their garments to help them remember and do all the commandments the LORD gave to them. We have the cross of Jesus to remind us that we have not been able to keep His ordinances. We have the cross that reminds us that we are all rotten apples. The cross reminds us that one who could follow His Father's commands, suffered and died for our sins, that we might not be cast out of the community of God, but remain and live eternally in the presence of God, as we are led through the wilderness to the promised land.
One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel...
Offerings were made to the LORD if one or the whole congregation unintentionally failed to observe the commandments of the LORD. However, if one intentionally or high-handedly failed to observe the commandments they were to be put out of the congregation, the community. No rotten apples were allowed to stay in the community to taint the whole bunch. This applied to residents and alien visitors alike. Visitors were welcomed, but they needed to follow the laws of God, just as the Israelites were expected to.
The story of a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath is given a death sentence for purposely violating the Sabbath law of God to show us how serious God is about the breaking of his ordinances. The people weren't sure what to do, so they asked God. God told them to take him outside the camp and stone him. Contrary to popular opinion, it was not just the religious leaders of Jesus' day that took the Sabbath laws so seriously. They did not initiate these laws. These laws began way back, in the beginning, as God gathered His chosen people together to lead them through the wilderness. There could be atonement made with offerings for those who broke God's laws unintentionally. But, there was none for those who sinned purposely.
The Israelites were ordered to wear fringes on the corners of their garments to help them remember and do all the commandments the LORD gave to them. We have the cross of Jesus to remind us that we have not been able to keep His ordinances. We have the cross that reminds us that we are all rotten apples. The cross reminds us that one who could follow His Father's commands, suffered and died for our sins, that we might not be cast out of the community of God, but remain and live eternally in the presence of God, as we are led through the wilderness to the promised land.
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