“But suppose you unintentionally fail to carry out all these commands that the Lord has given you through Moses. And suppose your descendants in the future fail…If the mistake was made unintentionally, and the community was unaware of it, the whole community must present…(the proper offerings)…With it the priest will purify the whole community of Israel, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven.”
Numbers 15:22-25
In spite of God’s miraculous provisions since leaving Egyptian slavery, the children of Israel had never stopped complaining. Now, even after their rebellion against Him at the very door of their Promised Land, God once again pours out His heart about relationship.
Even though God knew HIS children were prone to wander (after all, that was the reason they were still in the desert!), He did not want to lose relationship with them! Therefore, this same God who called the Israelites HIS special treasures told them, just in case you sin, even if you did not intend to, here is what to do!
I’m sure the pain from the recent breach in that relationship was heavy on His heart as He laid out the instructions that day. The plans were just in case anyone made a choice that could break the relationship again! Without these provisions, there would be no forgiveness, and the connection between God and His treasures would be broken.
Now, just suppose I unintentionally make a mistake…a possibility our Creator knew long before Eve took that first bite, and long before I took my first breath. Yet, God made sure there would be forgiveness for every just suppose, whether in the Israelite’s desert or in mine.
My gracious Father…I am so grateful!
