Numbers 15

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Further Old Testament Laws

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God deals graciously with the unintentional sins of His people.

  2. God deals justly with the defiant sins of His people.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Do whatever it takes to remember God’s Word.

QUESTIONS

  1. Why were these supplemental grain and drink offerings added to the list of Israelite offerings?

  2. How were these offerings a “sweet aroma to the LORD”?

  3. What is a sin of commission? What is a sin of omission?

  4. Why was a man stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath?

  5. Why were the Israelites to put tassels on the corners of their garments?

  6. What did the blue thread on the tassels symbolize?

ANSWERS

  1. This was a way for the Israelites to show their thankfulness for the productivity of their new Land.

  2. When these offerings were given as an act of worship, they were pleasing to the Lord.

  3. A sin of commission is when you sin by something that you do. A sin of omission is a sin because you neglected to do something.

  4. Because he defiantly and presumptuously broke God’s law.

  5. When they saw the tassels they would be reminded of God’s commandments and their responsibility to obey them.

  6. The blue thread symbolized the heavenly origin of God’s law.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. God graciously provided a way for the Israelites to atone for unintentional sins. This way was with a blood sacrifice. What does this tell us about unintentional sin? We all sin unintentionally today. As soon you become aware of the sin, what should you do?

  2. The Israelites put tassels on the corners of their garments to remind themselves of God’s commandments and their responsibility to obey them. Do you have a method of constantly reminding yourself of God’s Word? The best way to remember God’s Word is to memorize Scripture. Have you ever been impressed by the importance of hiding God’s Word in your heart?

CHALLENGE

  1. The Israelites were instructed to give their firstfruits to the Lord. This is a lesson for us to give our “firsts” to the Lord. How can you give the Lord the first of your time, money, and talent? Are you just giving Him your leftovers?

KEY VERSES

  • “So the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally… and it shall be forgiven him.” Numbers 15:28

  • “But the person who does anything presumptuously… shall be cut off from among his people.” Numbers 15:30

  • “And you shall have the tassel… that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God.” Numbers 15:39-40

Talks, Old Testament, NumbersRon ReidNUMBERS 15