◄ Numbers 15:17 ►
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Study Bible
Then
The word "then" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a continuation or sequence in the narrative. It suggests that what follows is a direct consequence or further instruction related to previous events. In the context of Numbers, this word connects the ongoing journey and experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness with God's continuous guidance and commandments. It reminds us of the unfolding nature of God's revelation and His active involvement in the lives of His people.

the LORD
The term "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the conservative Christian perspective, Yahweh is seen as the unchanging and sovereign God who is intimately involved with His creation and His chosen people. The use of this name here emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the instructions that follow.

said
The verb "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. In the Hebrew context, this word often conveys not just spoken words but authoritative declarations. It underscores the importance of the message and the expectation of obedience. God's communication with Moses highlights the unique role of Moses as a mediator between God and the Israelites, a foreshadowing of Christ as the ultimate mediator in the New Testament.

to Moses
Moses is a central figure in the Pentateuch, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to receive the Law on their behalf. His name, meaning "drawn out" in Hebrew, reflects his own deliverance from the Nile and his role in delivering Israel. In this verse, Moses is the recipient of God's instructions, reinforcing his position as a prophet and leader. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, Moses is a type of Christ, prefiguring the ultimate deliverance and revelation brought by Jesus. His faithfulness and obedience serve as an example for believers to follow in their own walk with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is giving instructions to His people through Moses.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His laws and commandments to the people.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving these laws as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

4. Wilderness Journey
The context in which these instructions are given, as the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land.

5. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants, and towards which the Israelites are traveling.
Teaching Points
God's Communication
God speaks to His people through chosen leaders, emphasizing the importance of listening to and respecting spiritual authority.

Covenant Relationship
The instructions given to Moses are part of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the importance of obedience and faithfulness.

Provision and Promise
The context of the wilderness journey and the anticipation of the Promised Land remind us of God's provision and the hope of future fulfillment.

Obedience and Faith
The Israelites' journey is a lesson in obedience and faith, teaching us to trust in God's promises even when the path is uncertain.

Spiritual Leadership
Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in our faith communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Moses as a mediator between God and the Israelites inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today?

2. In what ways does the anticipation of the Promised Land parallel the Christian hope of eternal life?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in our daily lives, especially when facing uncertainty?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' wilderness journey about trusting in God's provision?

5. How do the instructions given to Moses in Numbers 15:17 relate to the broader theme of covenant faithfulness throughout the Bible?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 16
The provision of manna in the wilderness, illustrating God's ongoing provision and the importance of obedience to His commands.

Leviticus 23
The feasts and offerings, which provide a broader context for understanding the sacrificial system and its significance.

Deuteronomy 8
A reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of remembering His commandments as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Hebrews 3-4
A New Testament reflection on the faithfulness of Moses and the rest that comes from obedience to God, drawing parallels to the rest promised in Christ.
Sermons
An Offering from the Dough: Domestic ReligionD. Young Numbers 15:17-21
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 15:13-16

     7511   Gentiles, in OT

Numbers 15:14-16

     7530   foreigners

Numbers 15:15-16

     5882   impartiality

Library
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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