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2BC BIBLE STUDY NOTES

Wednesday in the Word

Second Baptist Church

November 20, 2019

Numbers 15

  1. Last week we saw how God was angry with the Hebrews for failing to trust God to lead them into the promise land. There is very little study on this chapter because most folks just glide over it. It is placed right after the rebellion and defeat of the Hebrews. This chapter is designed to show the Hebrews what they missed out on. In this chapter, there is a detailed list of offerings to be made by the Hebrews AFTER they enter the Promise land.

  2. Verses 1-3. This is a word for the Hebrews that will enter into the promise land and a word for those that won't. For the Hebrews that won't enter into the promise land, they can see that God is still going to fulfill his plan, just not with them. This is a reminder that God doesn't have to use us, he can use someone else. For the Hebrews that are of the younger generation, they can set their hopes on one day leaving the wilderness and enter into a land of milk and honey. These younger Hebrews can also learn not to make the same mistakes of their elders. The offerings that are described in these verses are indicative of being blessed materially. Food would be so abundant that they could make all sorts of sacrifices of animals. This is a sign of rich blessings. Not only would they have plenty of animals to sacrifice, they would also have plenty of grain for fine flour to sacrifice as well. These offerings are graduated, corresponding to the size and value of the animals offered. In the three situations enumerated here, the meal-offering increases from the lesser to the greater as one fourth, one third, and one half of an ephah of fine flour. And the amount of oil increases in the same ratio from the lesser to the greater as one fourth, one third, and one half of a hin. Inherent in these gradations is the principle that men should give "as the Lord has prospered them," the same principle being carried over more specifically into the New Testament. The offering of the ram and bull each needed progressively greater amounts of grain and wine to accompany them, because they were progressively bigger sacrifices. The greater our sacrifice unto the LORD, the more thanksgiving and joy should come with the offering. God was showing them that they would have great joy in the promise land. A blessing that many of them will miss out on.

  3. Verses 4-12 Even when they sacrifice lambs, rams or bulls, there would be wine, olive oil, and fine flour to accompany each offering. This is a picture of plenty of bread and meat to eat. No more manna and wine in abundance. This is a far cry from their current position. This is a picture of a community that is blessed beyond measure. God is showing the people what they missed out on by not trusting him, and imparting to the younger generation that trusting God would lead to great blessings. Everyone who made a sacrifice had to bring it with thanksgiving of grain and the joy of wine; God did not want grudging, griping sacrifices brought to Him. If one could not serve the LORD with gladness (Psalm 100:2), then God didn't want his service at all.

  4. Verses 13-16. The blessings would be so good and the food in such abundance that even the foreigners would have plenty of food to offer as a sacrifice. God wouldn't just bless the Hebrews, but any foreigners who wanted to serve God would find favor as well. God even reminds the people to instruct the foreigners to follow the same instructions that God gave to the Hebrews. God is making a point to show the people that there would not only be abundance but peace. God was also showing them that he was no respecter of persons and would bless anyone who would obey him.

  5. Verses 18-21. When you come into the land in which I bring you: This shows how rich in promise and encouragement these commands are. God sets their mind on the Promised Land, even though they are a long way from it. Keeping their minds on His promise will help see them through the wilderness and prepare the hearts of the new generation to succeed where the old generation failed. This set their minds forward to the promise. Even if a child of God isn’t walking in the richness of God's promises now, they need to set their mind on heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6 says God has raised us up together, and made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus--even if it doesn't feel like it now, set your mind on those heavenly places. God reminds Moses of an important principle to make a first fruit offering every year once they enter the promise land. Every year they were to make a grain offering as an act of thanksgiving that God would continually provide.

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