All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord; as ye do, so he shall do. 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. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you(Num. 15:13-16).
From all the men in creation, God chose Abram (Abraham) to be the father of many nations (Gen. 17:1-4). From Abraham, through Isaac, and on to Jacob (Israel), God established His covenant, and from the descendants of Jacob, He formed the nation of Israel. This nation He set apart from the rest as His special people (Deut. 7:6), His peculiar treasure (Ps. 135:4), setting them up for all the world to see as a beacon of His holiness so that all the world might be blessed (Gen. 12:3).
Through Israel, God established the path to redemption for all mankind. With the introduction of the law, He exposed the broken, sinful nature of mankind (Rom. 3:19-20) and its incompatibility with true righteousness (Rom. 3:10-12). Although the law was given to Israel, it was never restricted to Israel. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you (Ex. 12:49). For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified (Rom. 2:11-13). It applied equally to all; through it, all who sought God would be shown the path.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Today, that path is still open to all who choose to walk it; no one will ever be excluded or turned away. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:28-29). The laws of substitutional sacrifice have been fulfilled, and the burden of (impossible) legalistic righteousness has been lifted. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (3:13-14). It is through Jesus, now, that the path lies. We either believe in Him, are cleansed in His blood, and are reborn in His image, or we are lost in our sin. This applies equally to everyone, everywhere. There is no other way—no room for compromise or debate—but no one who comes to Him will ever be turned away.
Jesus saith unto Him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me(John 14:6).
Thought for Today: God asks the same of us now as He always has—to believe in something greater than ourselves.
Christ Revealed:As God’s glory (Num. 14:22). Jesus Christ is the brightness of His (God’s) glory, and the express image of His person (Heb. 1:3).
Word Studies:14:3 fall by the sword = die in war; 14:10 bade = said; 14:11 provoke = spurn, insult, treat with contempt, disrespect; 14:30 sware = promised; 14:31 know = appreciate; despised = spurned; 14:33 wander = be shepherds.
Pray For Government OfficialsRep. Raul Grijalva (AZ)• Country: Sierra Leone (5,743,725) Western Africa • Major Languages: English, Mende, Temne, Krio • Religious Freedom • 50% belief in river spirits, medicine men, and witchcraft; 60% Muslim; 10% Christian; 30% Indigenous Beliefs • Prayer Suggestion: Commit your fears to the Lord; He will give you peace and strength (Dan. 10:19).
Optional Reading:Luke 6