Shelach continued

The Lord gives some instructions regarding sacrifices. The same law is to apply for the native and the stranger. Numbers 15:1-21

Laws are given concerning unintentional sin. Violating a command, even if done unintentionally, is still violating a command. That is a sin that must be atoned for. 15:22-29

Presumptuous sin is treated as well and the consequences are much harsher. A person who sins presumptuously shall be cut off from his people. Why? "Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment." It's one thing to sin unintentionally. It's quite another to sin with open disdain for God's word. 15:30-31

A Sabbath violator put to death. 15:32-36

This is one of two instances in Torah where a judgment of execution was ordered for transgressing one of God's commands. What happened? "The children of Israel found a man..."

What man? Scripture does not say. Some say it was Zelophehad, whose daughters will figure prominently in a few chapters. I don't know. If Torah does not reveal his name, why should I? If I'm wrong, I've slandered an innocent man. If I'm correct, I've revealed what God chose to conceal.

What was the man doing? "...gathering sticks on the Sabbath day."

Gathering sticks? Big deal. God had said not to light any fire on the Sabbath. Nothing was said about gathering sticks. But it could be argued that he was gathering sticks for the purpose of lighting a fire. Why else would you gather sticks?

However, since it was not clear what should be done in this situation, the people "brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation."

From this we learn that we are not in a position by ourselves to act as judge, jury and executioner for what we might think is a capital offense. If I see a neighbor gathering sticks or building a fire on the Sabbath or doing some other form of prohibited work on the Sabbath I do not get to stone my neighbor because Scripture says such a person should be put to death.

Moses and Aaron were the leaders of the people. And the whole congregation was made aware of the situation. This is a matter that concerns all the people.

Was he then summarily executed? No. "They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him." No judgment had been pronounced. No death sentence had been decreed. This was a case of first impression. A decision had to come from on high as to what should be done.

And then the Lord spoke to Moses and said, "The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp." God, the Supreme Judge, who knows the hearts and minds of all people, decreed what should be done.

And, as the Lord commanded Moses, so the whole congregation did. And the man was taken outside the camp and stoned.

A brief passage. For opponents of the death penalty this is rather troubling. Why would God condemn a man for gathering sticks on the Sabbath? Why did the whole community have to stone him with stones? Why aren't we given this man's name? Did it really happen? If it didn't, why is it included in Scripture? I don't have answers to these questions. I pose them here to have you think about Scripture.

To be continued...