The LORD desires that His people approach His holiness according to His will and Word. Those who are unclean through a skin disease or contact with the dead must be put outside the camp until they are made clean again. Someone who comes to realize a sin after the fact must not ignore it. Instead, he must make restitution to the one he wronged or to the LORD. In the case where the sin of adultery is unknown, the LORD provides a test whereby the matter is made evident. In this way, He provides for the innocent woman to be vindicated, and He also ensures that sin will not run rampant among His people. In the ways that the LORD provides for His people to live with His holiness in their midst by providing for cleansing, atonement, and restitution, He preaches Christ to them.
Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hanover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Numbers 5:1-31.
"Wilderness Wanderings” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Numbers. After the LORD delivers His people from slavery in Egypt, He leads them toward the Promised Land. Although the first generation of Israelites proves faithless, the LORD remains faithful to His people and brings a new generation of Israelites to the plains of Moab. This strengthens us to listen to God’s promises today and stay faithful to Him as He guides us toward resurrection life.
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