How does Numbers 15:29 emphasize equality in sin offerings for all believers? Shared Provision for Sin “You shall have one law for the native-born and for the foreigner who resides among you, for anyone who sins unintentionally.” What the Verse Says—Plain and Simple • “One law” means a single, unchanged standard. • It governs “the native-born” (Israelites) and “the foreigner” (sojourners). • It deals specifically with “anyone who sins unintentionally,” pointing to the sin offering described in the surrounding passage (vv. 22-28). Equality in God’s Courtroom • No separate sacrificial menu for insiders and outsiders. • Status, ethnicity, or length of residence does not alter the remedy for sin. • God’s holiness—and His mercy—apply uniformly. • The verse rejects partiality (cf. Leviticus 24:22). Echoes in the Wider Canon • Leviticus 24:22—“You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born.” • Romans 3:29-30—Paul underscores one God who justifies both Jew and Gentile through faith. • Acts 15:9—God “made no distinction between us and them.” • Galatians 3:28—“You are all one in Christ Jesus.” Foreshadowing the Cross • The single sin-offering requirement hints at the singular, sufficient sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:12). • Just as any Israelite or foreigner could bring the same offering, any person today approaches God through the same Lamb of God (John 1:29). • The Old Covenant pattern prepares hearts to see the universal reach of the New Covenant gospel. Practical Takeaways • No believer has a second-class seat at the foot of the cross. • The church must resist distinctions that Christ’s sacrifice has erased (James 2:1-4). • Assurance rests not in pedigree but in the perfect, once-for-all offering God has provided for all who believe. |
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