Stoned on the Sabbath?
Have you ever wondered why it seems that the God of the New Testament is different than the God of the Old Testament?
We should stop and state that God is the same. Since that is true, why does it seem that people in the Old Testament are punished for unusual things?
There was a story of a man in Numbers 15:32-36 who was gathering sticks on the Sabbath. Those who found him put him in custody and asked Moses what should be done with this man. The Lord told Moses that this man should be put to death. What?
The answer to this is found in verses 30-31. The one that sins intentionally is to be cut off from his people. This man despised the Word of God and broken the command of the Lord. Here is why he was stoned on the sabbath.
- He disobeyed the Lord’s command that was common knowledge to all of the congregation in the wilderness.
- He disregarded the consequences of disobedience.
Let me ask you something. Are you in disobedience to the commands of the Lord for your life? Do you think that you will enjoy the pleasures of sin and avoid the consequences? If this is you let me remind you that God is a loving God who responds graciously to those who obey.
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Ready Writer
John L. Harper
June 17th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Good point of discussion, John. I hope I do not kill the discussion here. But I would like to put in my two cents worth
.
People of the OT were extremely limited in their ability to know God. They had no Bible – nor the ability to read. They only had a code of laws and the only way for them to demonstrate their love for God was in absolute obedience to those laws.
Those laws were God’s school master to teach them (and us) that they (we) were incapable of complete obedience to His commands. They couldn’t & we can’t.
Thank God that Jesus died in our place & that His work fulfilled the law. He now offers grace as the means to reconcile us to the Father.
June 26th, 2011 at 7:00 am
Thanks Bro. Ray, I agree. I am glad that we don’t have to worry about keeping such stringent regulations. If these laws were still a part of our “worship” I dare say that many more would be “Stoned on the sabbath!