Topic: Purity Matters (Numbers 5)
The overall idea of Numbers chapter 5 is the sanctity and purity of the camp. Anything impure or undefiled is to be removed from the camp. If we think about it from a logical perspective, this is the perfect place for these rules to be stated. There has been a meticulous and orderly arrangement of the camp over the past chapters. In the middle of the camp is the sanctuary where the Lord dwells. The camp was laid out as directed by Him. It was to be pure, holy and undefiled. Before setting out towards Canaan, the laws of exclusion from the camp, and other laws which conform to that idea, are expressed throughout the book of Numbers. Such a law of purity will actually be given concerning the whole land of Canaan in Numbers chapter 35.
In vs. 7, an unnamed man or woman was recognized publicly that a wrong was committed, and we see them confessing it. Taking responsibility for your sins is critical in dealing with it. If you're excusing it, rationalizing it to yourself and/or possibly blaming somebody else for it, you can't truly confess it. It takes more than just confession to make it right, you have to make 'restitution'. Verse 7 says that not only did they have to pay back whatever they took, but they needed to add 20 percent. Whoever commits the sin, doesn't just say they're sorry, they have to do everything in their power to make it right. If that person was dead, you made restitution to a close relative. If there's no relative, then payment was given as an offering to the Lord.
But the worst part of any sin isn't what it does to our relationship with others, it's what it does to our relationship with God. We must seek to make that right. In vs. 8, after confession and restitution, the sinning party was required to offer a ram or a lamb to make atonement before God. What that tells us is that even after confession and restitution, there is a requirement of a sacrifice. The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death", and that wage has to be paid either by you or someone else. The problem is, I don't have enough rams or good works to pay the debt I've racked up against God. That is why we need Jesus! He's the sacrificial lamb who died for our sins. First John 2:2 says, "He (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." Sin matters. It must be dealt with.
First, you need to confess your part in it.
Second, you need to make it right with the person you hurt.
Third, you need to come to God and ask for the atoning death of Jesus Christ to cover it.
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem