Worship - Sunday at 10:30AM
Bible Study - Wednesday at 6:30PM
2002-11-10 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church
HIGH HANDED SIN
Numbers chapter 15 is a slice of scriptural meat in a rebellion sandwich. In chapter 14, the Israelites were on the verge of crossing the Jordan river and entering into the promised land, but they hesitated out of fear of the giants who lived there. Their lack of faith provoked God, and judgment was harsh. Chapter 16 tells the story of Korah's rebellion, where God's judgment was spectacular and swift. In chapter 15, the Lord is repeating some of the laws and procedures of offerings. It's as if God is assuring them through His mercy that He hasn't given up on them, even though they probably deserved it.
Numbers 15:27-31
27. And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
28. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
29. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
30. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
31. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
The word "presumptuously" in this text means "high handed."
To be cut off from among your people means to be killed.
Whether it's done through the civil system by stoning, or by God's wrath directly, the judgment for high-handed sin is death. The example is given in the verses that follow verse 31. One of the men in the camp was found to be gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. The penalty for polluting the Holy day with work was death. God had already made that clear, as it is written in Exodus 31:14. This poor man, caught gathering sticks, perhaps his family was cold, or maybe he was gathering them for the priests to keep the altar burning. Hard to say what his motivation was, but the word makes it clear that this man knew better. His penalty was death by stoning.
Every commentary I read on this text, even the Jewish ones, said the same thing. They described the presumptuous sinner's heart towards God as "rebellious", "obstinate", "defiant", "willful", and "full of contempt toward God's authority." It seemed like they were implying that presumptuous, high-handed sins are in a class by themselves, worse than the sins we knowingly and regretfully commit. Not for one minute do I believe that! God only mentions two types of sin here. Sins of ignorance, and sins of presumption. Common sense tells me that when I know something is a sin, but I still do it, no matter what reason or excuse I can come up with to justify my actions, I am presumptuously sinning. Even if it's only a little white lie told to protect somebody's feelings. Even if it's a little fudge on my taxes. Even if it's just the thought that crosses my mind when somebody pulls out in front of me on the roadway.
People are always looking for ways to soften the word of God. Everybody prefers the image of baby Jesus in the manger over the one of Jesus returning with fire and the sword of judgment. Nobody wants to hear that some teeny weenie little sin is rooted in a rebellious, prideful heart towards God, and therefore is committed with a "high hand." We all want a rose garden without the thorns. This aspect of human nature enables and empowers the people who make their living telling other folks what they want to hear. It just seems to me that any sin, knowingly committed, was committed presumptuously.
So now I have stated what I believe this verse to mean. Now for the reason to find Jesus in it...
There's no way for me to know for sure, but I would wager that more than 90% of my sins are presumptuous ones. "I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyways." How much more "high handed" can I get than that? Do I have to curse God while I'm committing a sin before it's considered presumptuous? I know better than to curse God, so that would add one more high-handed sin to my tally. Even one presumptuous sin was enough to earn the death penalty for God's chosen people, as the man who was picking up sticks on the Sabbath day found out painfully. Remember when Jesus was dying on the cross, He did not say Father forgive them, for they know what they do. No, He said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
I may be completely wrong about Numbers 15:30. Please know beyond a shadow of doubt that each and every one of you fine folks are more qualified to do this than I am. I'm wearing cement shoes in my walk with the Lord, and this brings a sadness that only He can deliver me from. This is also very ironic and convicting for me. Last week I was trying to motivate everybody here to attend Bible study, but I was AWOL on the previous Wednesday evening. Today, I read from a chapter where God reminds us of the penalty, and made an example of a man who was found working on the Sabbath when he knew better. This very afternoon, as soon as I leave church, I'll be gathering sticks over by the lake.
Rest assured I'll be praying the whole time.
There is no way for me to know exactly how high the price was that Jesus paid. Going by the law in Numbers 15:30, I deserve to be stoned thousands of times for the sins I've committed knowingly. Thousands of death sentences were heaped upon Jesus, and that's just for my presumptuous sins.
Hebrews 10:26-27
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.