February 13
Numbers 5–6
Scripture Text: Numbers 5:1–6:27
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
The Israelites were sent out of the camp because of unleaness and impurity. Being sent from the camp until they could be cleansed kept defilement away from where God had chosen to dwell. This might remind you of worship today. Instead of being removed from the congregation because of our sins, we are expected to confess our sin and receive God's forgiveness and righteousness through the promise of his word of absolution, and also through the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Part of our right-standing with God is making amends with our neighbor, particularly those of the household of faith. Most of chapter five deals with making restitution for wrongs, not just with our neighbor but within the bounds of marriage. This should cause the reader to take seriously the second table of the Ten Commandments.
Most of chapter six deals with Nazarite vows. Though there were already plenty of rules in the five books of Moses for the people to live by, some undertook Nazarite vows to abstain from wine and grape products, to keep one's hair uncut and unshaved, and to have no contact with corpses or graves, which would make one ceremonially unclean. Nazarites were considered holy to the Lord, so you can see the connection to these purity vows.
This may seem like a lot of unnecessary religion to us. Yet we do much the same. During Lent we might give up certain foods or other things we enjoy. The best Lenten practice is fasting with the purpose of having more time with God. The "vow" is for a limited time and expects no special consideration from God other than being with him in Word and prayer.
The last paragraph of chapter six is the Aaronic blessing, so popular as a benediction in our worship services today. When you read the blessing in Numbers 6:24–26, count how may times "Lord" is used. Do you find significance in the number associated with God's blessing?
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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