◄ Numbers 15:15 ►
The assembly is to have the same statute both for you and for the foreign resident; it is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD.
Study Bible
The assembly
This term refers to the collective body of the Israelites, the chosen people of God. In Hebrew, the word is "qahal," which signifies a gathering or congregation. Historically, the assembly was central to the identity of Israel as a nation set apart for God's purposes. It underscores the communal aspect of worship and obedience to God's laws, emphasizing that faith is not just an individual journey but a collective experience.

will have the same statute
The word "statute" in Hebrew is "chuqqah," which means a decree or ordinance. This indicates a divine law that is to be observed perpetually. The use of "same" highlights the uniformity and equality in the application of God's laws, suggesting that God's standards are consistent and unchanging, reflecting His just and righteous nature.

for you and for the foreign resident
This phrase is significant in demonstrating God's inclusive nature. The "foreign resident," or "ger" in Hebrew, refers to a non-Israelite living among the Israelites. This inclusion shows that God's covenant and laws extend beyond ethnic boundaries, inviting all who dwell among His people to partake in His blessings and responsibilities. It reflects the universal scope of God's love and the foreshadowing of the New Testament's message of salvation for all nations.

It will be a permanent statute
The term "permanent" in Hebrew is "olam," which conveys the idea of eternity or perpetuity. This emphasizes the enduring nature of God's laws and the timeless principles they embody. It reassures believers of the steadfastness of God's word and His eternal covenant with His people.

for the generations to come
This phrase underscores the continuity of God's commandments across time. It speaks to the responsibility of each generation to uphold and pass down God's statutes, ensuring that His truths are preserved and practiced. It serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of faith and the importance of teaching future generations about God's ways.

You and the foreigner
Reiterating the inclusivity of God's laws, this phrase emphasizes equality before God. Both the native-born Israelite and the foreigner are subject to the same divine standards, highlighting the impartiality of God's justice. It calls believers to embrace unity and fellowship with all who seek to follow God's commandments.

shall be the same before the LORD
This final phrase affirms the equality of all people in the eyes of God. The Hebrew word for "same" is "echad," meaning one or unified. It reflects the biblical principle that all are equal before God, regardless of their background. This unity before the LORD is a powerful testament to the inclusive and unifying nature of God's kingdom, where all are called to live in harmony under His sovereign rule.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The primary audience of the Book of Numbers, the Israelites are God's chosen people, journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.

2. Foreign Residents (Gerim)
Non-Israelites living among the Israelites, often referred to as "sojourners" or "strangers" in other translations. They were expected to adhere to certain laws and customs of Israel.

3. The LORD (YHWH)
The covenant God of Israel, who establishes laws and statutes for His people, emphasizing His holiness and justice.

4. The Wilderness
The setting for much of the Book of Numbers, where the Israelites wander for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

5. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicates His laws and instructions to the people.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
God's law applies equally to all, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. This teaches us about the unity and inclusivity of God's kingdom.

God's Impartiality
The verse highlights God's fairness and justice, reminding us that He does not show favoritism. We are called to reflect this impartiality in our interactions with others.

Permanent Statute
The use of "permanent statute" indicates the enduring nature of God's laws. This calls us to respect and uphold God's commands in our lives consistently.

Welcoming the Stranger
As the Israelites were to treat foreigners with equality, we are encouraged to welcome and integrate those who are different from us into our communities.

Generational Responsibility
The statute is for "generations to come," reminding us of our responsibility to pass down God's truths and principles to future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the principle of one law for both Israelites and foreigners challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of "one statute for all" in our church communities today?

3. How does the treatment of foreigners in the Old Testament reflect God's heart for inclusivity and unity?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate God's impartiality in our daily lives?

5. How can we ensure that the principles of God's law are passed down to future generations in our families and communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12:49
This verse also emphasizes the equality of the law for both the native-born and the foreigner, reinforcing the principle of one law for all.

Leviticus 24:22
Similar to Numbers 15:15, this verse underscores the uniformity of the law for both Israelites and foreigners, highlighting God's impartiality.

Galatians 3:28
In the New Testament, Paul speaks of the unity and equality of all believers in Christ, echoing the Old Testament principle of equality before God.
Sermons
God Giving Laws for the Distant FutureD. Young Numbers 15:1-16
The Impartiality of GodE.S. Prout Numbers 15:15, 16
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Age-during, Alien, Assembly, Congregation, Everlasting, Foreigner, Forever, Generation, Generations, Lasting, Law, Ordinance, Perpetual, Rules, Sojourner, Sojourneth, Sojourning, Sojourns, Statute, Stranger, Throughout
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 15:15

     7206   community
     7404   ordinances

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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