Numbers 15

The Israelites had collectively committed this kind of “defiant” sin when they believed the report of the ten spies and refused to enter the promised land (Chapter 14). Committing blasphemy is another example of such a sin (Leviticus 24:10–16). In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles recognized that certain sins were beyond forgiveness (Mark 3:28–29; Hebrews 6:4–6; 10:26–29; 1 John 5:16). In simple terms, an unforgivable sin is any sin that one refuses to confess and repent of. If we will only confess and repent of our sin, we shall immediately be cleansed and forgiven by our faithful and just God (1 John 1:9). Because our God is just, however, we will necessarily bear some consequence of our sin even though we’ve been forgiven⁴⁸ (2 Samuel 12:13–14).

A person who committed a defiant sin was to be cut off⁴⁹ from his people. In the case of severe sins such as idolatry, sorcery, incest and adultery, being “cut off” meant being put to death (Leviticus 20:1–16). But whatever the sin, God judges the heart. Some sins may on the surface seem to deserve death, but God knows hidden things about the sinner that we cannot know. God knows the degree of defiance in each sinner, the severity of the temptation; God knows all mitigating circumstances. And God will judge justly, and He will hear our plea for mercy⁵⁰ (Numbers 14:20).

The Sabbath-Breaker Put to Death (15:32–36)

32–36 It seems surprising that immediately after a discussion about defiant and unforgivable sin, we should be told about this man gathering firewood on the Sabbath. We have to assume that this man was guilty of doing it defiantly (verse 30). Two million other Israelites were quietly observing the Sabbath, and he must have thought this was his opportunity to gather some firewood.

For Christians, breaking the Sabbath law does not seem so evil as other sins. But we must remember that keeping the Sabbath was a special covenant obligation for the Israelites: their observance of the Sabbath was a distinctive sign—like CIRCUMCISION—signifying that they were God’s chosen people. For this reason, the penalty for breaking the Sabbath was death⁵¹ (see Exodus 20:8–11; 31:12–17 and comments). To break God’s Sabbath law was, in effect, to break God’s covenant.

Some Christians today equate the Old Testament Sabbath with the Lord’s Day; they believe that the Lord’s Day should be strictly observed just as the Old Testament Sabbath was observed. But they forget that the Israelites were under the old covenant, and that Christians are under a new covenant. Observing the Sabbath is no longer a “sign of the covenant” for Christians. Furthermore, would the average modern Christian—given all the activities he or she engages in on the Lord’s Day—be willing to accept the penalty for “breaking the Sabbath”? The Sabbath law was specifically given for the Israelites, not for Christians.

Tassels on Garments (15:37–41)

37–41 Given people’s sinful nature and their constant tendency to break God’s law, every reminder from God to obey His law is an act of grace. The tassels mentioned here served as such a reminder. They were to be sewn on the four corners of the men’s cloaks (Deuteronomy 22:12).

In Deuteronomy 6:6–9, God gives the Israelites additional ways to remind themselves of His commandments; these ways include talking about them, tying them to their hands and foreheads, and writing them on their door frames and gates. Just as a child learns by repetition, so too do we learn to obey God by reminding ourselves of His Word over and over again. All of this is designed to make it easier for us to obey Him. God takes no pleasure in punishing people for their sins; He would much prefer to keep people from sinning in the first place.

The Jews of Jesus’ day also wore tassels on their cloaks, but for the wrong reason: they made their tassels extra long so that other people would notice them and think the wearer was especially godly (matthew 23:5). Jesus rebuked the Jews’ hypocrisy; the tassels were meant to waken their conscience, not feed their pride.