Numbers 15:12 Study Bible: According to the number that you shall prepare, so you shall do to everyone according to their number.

◄ Numbers 15:12 ►

This is how you must prepare each one, no matter how many.

This is how you must prepare each one
The instructions given here are part of the broader sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. This phrase emphasizes the importance of following God's specific commands for offerings. The sacrificial system was central to Israelite worship and served as a means of atonement and fellowship with God. Each offering had to be prepared according to divine instructions, symbolizing obedience and reverence. This meticulous preparation foreshadows the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).

no matter how many
This phrase underscores the principle of consistency and equality in worship. Whether the offering was large or small, the preparation was to be the same, reflecting God's impartiality and the equal value of each person's worship. This can be connected to the New Testament teaching that God shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11) and that all believers are equal in Christ (Galatians 3:28). The uniformity in preparation also points to the unchanging nature of God's requirements and the need for faithfulness in all circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the laws and instructions from God to pass on to the people.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given specific laws and instructions to follow as they journeyed to the Promised Land.

3. Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites received these laws, representing a time of testing and reliance on God.

4. Offerings
The context of this verse involves instructions for offerings, which were a central part of Israelite worship and obedience to God.

5. Tabernacle
The place where offerings were made, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God's Instructions
The verse emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions precisely, reflecting a heart of obedience and reverence.

Consistency in Worship
The phrase "no matter how many" suggests that our worship and offerings to God should be consistent, regardless of circumstances or quantity.

Symbolism of Offerings
Offerings in the Old Testament symbolize dedication and thanksgiving to God, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Community and Worship
The collective nature of the instructions highlights the importance of community in worship, as the Israelites were to follow these guidelines together.

Faithfulness in Small Things
The detailed nature of the instructions reminds us to be faithful in small things, as they reflect our overall faithfulness to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the instruction in Numbers 15:12 reflect the importance of obedience in our relationship with God?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship remains consistent, "no matter how many" or how few resources we have?

3. How do the Old Testament offerings point us to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how should this impact our daily lives?

4. What role does community play in our worship today, and how can we encourage one another to follow God's instructions?

5. Reflect on a time when being faithful in a small task led to greater spiritual growth. How can this principle be applied in your current walk with God?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 23
Provides further details on offerings and feasts, emphasizing the importance of following God's instructions precisely.

Hebrews 10
Discusses the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, connecting the Old Testament offerings to the New Covenant.

1 Samuel 15:22
Highlights the importance of obedience over sacrifice, reinforcing the principle that God desires our hearts and obedience more than ritualistic offerings.

Sermons

God Giving Laws for the Distant Future

D. Young

Numbers 15:1-16

People

Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Egypt, Wilderness of Paran

Topics

Offer, Prepare, Ready, Whatever

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 15:1-12

1680 types
4456 grain

Library

List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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