Numbers 15:32-36

The case of the defiant Sabbath-breaker 15:32-36

This incident illustrates the fate of the Israelite or foreigner in Israel who deliberately violated the law of Sabbath observance. It clarifies the meaning of defiant sin as well as what it means to be "cut off from among his people" (Numbers 15:30-31). Violation of this law drew the death penalty (Exodus 31:14-15; Exodus 35:2). It as like the "unforgivable sin" in the New Testament in that there was no forgiveness of it. [Note: Mark Rooker, Leviticus, p. 55.] God revealed on this occasion that such an offender was to die by stoning (cf. Leviticus 20:2). Whereas Moses had previously recorded the penalty, he had not explained the method of execution (Numbers 15:34). Other occasions on which Moses had to ask God for guidance in difficult cases appear in Numbers 9:7-8; Numbers 27:1-11; and Leviticus 24:10-23.

"The purpose of these narratives is to show that God’s will is not expressed in a once-for-all way. In Israel’s ongoing relationship with God, he continued to make his will known to them, and they continued to play a part in the process." [Note: Sailhamer, p. 390.]

Sabbath observance was the sign of the Mosaic Covenant. To violate the Sabbath law deliberately amounted to repudiating God’s sovereignty.

"There are eleven offenses punishable by stoning according to the Old Testament: idolatry (Deuteronomy 17:2-7); encouragement of idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:6-10); child sacrifice (Leviticus 20:2-5); prophecy in the name of another god (Deuteronomy 13:1-5); divination (Leviticus 20:27); blasphemy (Leviticus 24:15-16); breaking the Sabbath (here); murder by an ox (Exodus 21:28-29); adultery (Deuteronomy 22:22 ff.); rebellion by a son (Deuteronomy 21:18 ff.); violation of God’s ban on plunder devoted to him (Joshua 7:25)." [Note: Riggans, p. 125.]