Topic: No Variance with God [Wednesday November 25, 2015]
Text: Numbers 15:1-16
Key Verse: “One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD” (Numbers 15:15).
The “tribe” of human right advocates has greatly expanded in the last couple of decades. At the heart of these movements and campaigns is the vexed issue of equality. These movements seek to address specific situations they consider biased and unfair in societies.
They seek equal rights in certain social and economic contexts, and the removal of legally enforced discriminations that are based on such conditions as gender, religion, race, age, health, etc. Much good has come from these efforts. When abused, however, it has the potential of dragging societies along terribly permissive lanes. In today’s text, God recommended the principle of equality in the instructions He gave Israel concerning offerings and sacrifices. The nation had just recovered from an episode of rebellion and had been forgiven, after Moses interceded. As they stood at the verge of the promised land, Moses reiterated the instructions and guidelines they were expected to observe when they settle in the land. Our interest here is the instruction concerning equal treatment for the Israelites and the strangers (Gentiles) among them.
This law applied to both responsibilities and benefits. It implies that in sacrificing to God and in receiving blessings, no difference would be made between the Jews and the Gentiles who have joined them to worship God. This law forestalled adulteration of worship and helped to foster unity and love among the people. It was also a pointer to the era of grace where “there is neither Jew nor Greek… bond nor free… male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”. In the same manner, God expects all His worshippers to uphold the same standard and be holy, irrespective of their gender, social status, cultural background and denominational affiliation.
Thought for the day: God is not partial.
Bible Reading in one Year: Ecclesiastes 4-7
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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