Numbers 15:1 Study Bible: The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

◄ Numbers 15:1 ►

Then the LORD said to Moses,

The LORD said to Moses
The LORD
This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and origin of the message. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the personal name of God, signifying His eternal presence and covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "The LORD" underscores the continuity of God's communication and guidance to His chosen people. It is a reminder of His sovereignty and faithfulness, as He is the same God who delivered them from Egypt and is now guiding them through the wilderness.

said
The Hebrew word used here is "אָמַר" (amar), which means to speak, say, or declare. This verb indicates a direct communication from God to Moses, highlighting the prophetic nature of Moses' leadership. It is not merely a suggestion or a casual conversation but a divine command that carries weight and authority. This underscores the importance of the message that follows and the expectation of obedience from the Israelites.

to Moses
Moses is the central human figure in the Pentateuch, serving as the mediator between God and the Israelites. His name, "מֹשֶׁה" (Moshe), is believed to mean "drawn out," reflecting his rescue from the Nile and his role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses' unique relationship with God is characterized by direct communication, as seen in this verse. This phrase reaffirms Moses' leadership and the trust God places in him to convey His laws and instructions to the people. Moses' role as a prophet and leader is foundational to the identity and faith of Israel, serving as a model of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks directly to Moses, providing guidance and commandments for His people.

2. Moses
The leader and prophet of Israel, chosen by God to deliver His laws and instructions to the Israelites. Moses acts as an intermediary between God and the people.

3. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving instructions on how to live in obedience to God's commands as they journey towards the Promised Land.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites are currently journeying, a place of testing and preparation before entering the Promised Land.

5. The Promised Land
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, representing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

Teaching Points

God's Direct Communication
God speaks directly to His chosen leaders, emphasizing the importance of listening to His voice and obeying His commands.

The Role of Leadership
Moses serves as a model for godly leadership, demonstrating obedience and faithfulness in conveying God's instructions to His people.

Preparation for the Promised Land
The instructions given in the wilderness are meant to prepare the Israelites for life in the Promised Land, highlighting the need for spiritual readiness and obedience.

Covenant Relationship
The ongoing communication between God and Israel underscores the covenant relationship, where God provides guidance and expects faithfulness in return.

Faithfulness in the Wilderness
The wilderness journey is a time of testing and growth, reminding believers of the importance of trusting God during challenging times.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does God's communication with Moses in Numbers 15:1 reflect His desire for a relationship with His people?

2. In what ways does Moses' role as a leader in Numbers 15:1 serve as a model for Christian leadership today?

3. How can the instructions given to the Israelites in the wilderness apply to our spiritual preparation for the challenges we face in life?

4. What does the covenant relationship between God and Israel teach us about God's expectations for His people today?

5. How can we remain faithful and obedient to God's commands during our own "wilderness" experiences?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 3
The calling of Moses at the burning bush, where God first reveals His name as Yahweh and commissions Moses to lead His people out of Egypt.

Leviticus 1-7
Detailed instructions on offerings and sacrifices, which are part of the broader context of the laws given to Moses for the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 6
The Shema, which emphasizes the importance of hearing and obeying God's commands, a theme that is central to the instructions given in Numbers.

Hebrews 3
A New Testament reflection on Moses' faithfulness as a servant in God's house, drawing a parallel to Christ's superior role.

Sermons

God Giving Laws for the Distant Future

D. Young

Numbers 15:1-16

People

Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Egypt, Wilderness of Paran

Topics

Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 15:1-4

4404 food

Numbers 15:1-10

7368 grain offering

Numbers 15:1-12

1680 types
4456 grain

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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