By: Robert Serreyn

Question? In Numbers 15:32- 36 WHY was the man “Stoned to death” for picking up sticks?

Numbers 15:32-36 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. (33) And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. (34) And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. (35) And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. (36) And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Answer:

The Lord had DECLARED in the Commandments that he gave to Moses in Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work.

The Lord had made a provision in the law so that a person had six days to do all their work that needed to get done, then when Saturday (the sabbath) had come they were to STOP all labour and “Worship the Lord” it was a Day of Rest, the Lord KNOWS that man (People) will work themselvs to death ESPECIALLY if personal gain and money are involved so therefore the Lord COMMANDED that every Saturday was set aside for the dual purpose to #1 “Focus their attention on the him” and #2 “To give their bodies rest and relaxation to regain strength”

The man in question HAD known about the commandment, this was no “Sin of Ignorance” for the Lord God had made provisions for “Unintentional Sins” in Numbers 15, Verses 22-31…

(22) And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses, (23) Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations; (24) Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. (25) And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance: (26) And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance. (27) And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. (28) And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. (29) Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. (30) But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (31) Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

But a “Sin of Intention” therefore THIS MAN was without excuse and JUSTLY JUDGED.

In Conclusion:

The reason why our Nation (United States) and the world as a whole is bogged down by crime is because of the “Lack in Swift and Fitting Punishment” for crimes committed.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 states…

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

In other words there is “NO FEAR” of the Law. The ONLY way to keep society safe is to have “Punishments that fit the Crime”

Romans 13:1-4 state…

(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Enforced Laws KEEP the honest honest and for the most part the would be crook in check.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH