Numbers 15:30, 31 But the soul that does ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproaches the LORD… I. THE GUILT OF PRESUMPTUOUS SINS. The transgressor sinneth "with a high hand" (Hebrews). It is not easy exactly to define sins of presumption or deliberate disobedience, for which there was no expiation by sacrifice. Some crimes involved capital punishment (Leviticus 20:1, 2, 10; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 17:12), or were followed by fatal judgments by God (Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 20:4-6). The impossibility of drawing up a complete schedule of willful, presumptuous sins suggests a caution. For their heinous guilt is described by the term "reproacheth the Lord," i.e., blasphemes God in word or act. A presumptuous sinner reproaches God in four ways. He acts as though (1) his commands were harsh; (2) his authority was of no account; (3) his favour was to be little prized; (4) his threats were to be still less feared (Deuteronomy 29:19, 20). Such guilt is aggravated under the law of the gospel, inasmuch as God's commands, authority, favour, and threats are invested with greater weight and sanctity through the revelation of his will and his love in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:1-3). II. THE DANGER OF PRESUMPTUOUS SINS. 1. Under the law there was no sacrifice to expiate for such sins, but fatal punishment at the hand of man or of God himself. 2. Under the gospel a sacrifice even for willful sin is provided. But as "the condemnation" is for unbelief, the neglect of the Saviour and his sacrifice is the most terrible, though a most common presumptuous sin, for which "there remaineth no more sacrifice" (Hebrews 10:26-29). There is a sin "unto death," which "shall not be forgiven," &c. (Matthew 12:32; 1 John 5:16). 3. The difficulty of exactly deciding, either under the law or the gospel, what sins are beyond the power of expiation, and expose us to be "cut off," adds to their danger. All sins are like poisons, fatal if remedies are not applied. But if some are certainly fatal, and we know not which, what need for faith in the Physician, and prayer that we may be kept from all sins so as to be guarded from presumptuous sins among them (Psalm 19:12-14). - P. Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |