Numbers 15:30-36 – Presumption
Here we see the judgement passed upon presumptuous sinners. Those are presumptuous sinners that sin with a high hand, that is, that confront God’s authority, and set up themselves in competition with it, that sin for sinning-sake, against the law, and in defiance of the penalty, that fight against God, and dare Him to do his worst. Sins like these are exceedingly sinful. The one who does them reproaches the Lord; he says the worst he can of Him, and unjustly. Presumptuous sin says, “Eternal truth is not fit to be believed, the Lord of all not fit to be obeyed, and almighty power not fit to be either feared or trusted.” Presumptuous sin despises the word of the Lord, thinking themselves too great, too good, and too wise, to be ruled by it. The judgement passed on such sin is dreadful. There is no sacrifice for that sin; that soul is cut off from among God’s people.
Next we have a particular instance of presumption in the sin of Sabbath-breaking. The sin is the gathering of sticks on the Sabbath day. This seems a small thing, but it is a violation of the law of the Sabbath, and shows a contempt of the Creator, for whose honour the Sabbath is established. It seems by the context to have been done presumptuously, and against both the law and the Law-maker. It seems, even common Israelites, though there is much sinful among them, will not contentedly see the Sabbath broken, which is a good sign that they have not quite forsaken God, and God has not utterly forsaken them. God is jealous for the honour of His Sabbaths, and will not hold those guiltless, whatever men do, that break them. We might think there is no great harm in gathering a few sticks on the Sabbath, but God intends this punishment for a warning to us all, to keep the Sabbath holy.
Questions
- What does a presumptuous sinner think?
- What happens to this man who breaks the Sabbath?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the gift of the Lord’s Day.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.