PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 15-16

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“Anyone who sins defiantly… blasphemes the Lord.” (Numbers 15:30)
“They have despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands.” (Numbers 15:31)
These chapters address those who sin intentionally and unintentionally.
There is grace and mercy for those who sin unintentionally.
But those who sin intentionally are accused of being defiant and despising God.
They are “insolent” (16:1) and “treat the Lord with contempt” (16:30).
How we sin is the key here; we all sin, but we are not all defiant or insolent.
Today many of our disagreements as Jesus followers are on what is and is not sin.
As I hear it, no one is saying ‘who cares what the bible says’ but ‘what does the bible say’?
Neither side is intentionally despising the bible; they are genuinely trying to read it.
We may dispute how they read it, but we may not stone them for it (15:32-36).
We will all stand before our Moses (Jesus) to give an account; he will discern our motives.
He will discern whether we were insolent, despising his way and intentional in our sin.
Those who are defiant and despise God and people will have their moment before God.
Those who sinned unintentionally will be shown mercy, for God sees their hearts.
PRAYER
Lord, we love to accuse others of sin, and they accuse us of the same. You know our hearts, and only you can judge us. Help me to stay focused on intentionally loving and following you.