"Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty Tell the IsraelitesThis directive is given to Moses, who serves as the mediator between God and the Israelites. The Israelites are the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, and are God's chosen people. This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, established through the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and later formalized at Mount Sinai. that when a man or woman
The inclusion of both genders highlights the universality of the law and the equal moral responsibility of men and women before God. This reflects the biblical principle that all people are accountable to God's standards, regardless of gender. acts unfaithfully against the LORD
Unfaithfulness here refers to a breach of trust or covenant with God. In the Old Testament, Israel's relationship with God is often depicted as a marriage, with unfaithfulness equated to spiritual adultery. This concept is echoed in the prophetic books, such as Hosea, where Israel's idolatry is likened to infidelity. by committing any sin against another
This phrase underscores the interconnectedness of sin against others and sin against God. In biblical teaching, offenses against fellow humans are also offenses against God, as seen in Psalm 51:4, where David acknowledges his sin against God in the context of his wrongdoing against Bathsheba and Uriah. that person is guilty
Guilt in this context implies both moral and legal culpability. The Old Testament law provided a framework for addressing guilt through sacrifices and restitution, pointing to the need for atonement. This anticipates the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the ultimate atonement for sin, fulfilling the sacrificial system and offering redemption for all who believe. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are receiving the laws and commandments from God through Moses. 2. MosesThe leader and prophet who is conveying God's laws to the Israelites. He is a central figure in the Pentateuch, serving as a mediator between God and His people. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and just, and who requires His people to live in accordance with His laws. 4. Sin and UnfaithfulnessThe act of committing a wrong against another person, which is ultimately seen as an act of unfaithfulness against God Himself. 5. The WildernessThe setting where the Israelites are receiving these laws, as they journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Teaching Points Understanding Sin as UnfaithfulnessSin is not just a personal failure but an act of unfaithfulness against God. Recognizing this helps us understand the gravity of our actions and the need for repentance. The Importance of RestitutionWhen we wrong others, it is not enough to seek forgiveness from God alone; we must also make amends with those we have harmed. This reflects the biblical principle of justice and reconciliation. Holiness in CommunityThe laws given to Israel emphasize the need for holiness within the community. As believers, we are called to uphold righteousness in our relationships, reflecting God's character to the world. The Role of ConfessionConfession is a crucial step in the process of repentance and restoration. It involves acknowledging our sins before God and those we have wronged, paving the way for healing and forgiveness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding sin as an act of unfaithfulness against God change your perspective on personal wrongdoing? 2. In what ways can you practice restitution in your own life when you have wronged someone? 3. How does the concept of community holiness in Numbers 5:6 apply to the church today? 4. What steps can you take to ensure that confession and reconciliation are part of your spiritual practice? 5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament enhance or expand upon the principles found in Numbers 5:6? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 6:1-7This passage provides further details on the guilt offering required when someone sins against another person, emphasizing restitution and atonement. Matthew 5:23-24Jesus teaches about reconciliation with others before offering gifts at the altar, highlighting the importance of resolving interpersonal conflicts as part of worship. 1 John 1:9This verse speaks to the confession of sins and God's faithfulness to forgive, connecting the Old Testament concept of guilt and atonement with New Testament grace. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Acting, Breaking, Commit, Commits, Committing, Faith, Guilty, Mankind, Sin, Sins, Sons, Soul, Speak, Trespass, Unfaithful, Unfaithfully, Unfaithfulness, Wrong, WrongsDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:1-7 5707 male and female Numbers 5:5-6 8840 unfaithfulness, to God Numbers 5:5-7 5264 compensation
6173 guilt, and God Numbers 5:5-8 6624 confession, of sin Numbers 5:5-10 6027 sin, remedy for Numbers 5:6-7 6733 repentance, nature of Numbers 5:6-8 6029 sin, forgiveness Library Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of PietyCiii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 5:6 NIVNumbers 5:6 NLTNumbers 5:6 ESVNumbers 5:6 NASBNumbers 5:6 KJV
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