◄ Numbers 15:23 ►
all that the LORD has commanded you through Moses from the day the LORD gave them and continuing through the generations to come--
Study Bible
all that the LORD has commanded you through Moses
This phrase emphasizes the divine authority of the commandments given to the Israelites. Moses is seen as the mediator between God and His people, a role that foreshadows Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). The commandments include not only the Ten Commandments but also the detailed laws found in the Torah, which cover moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects of life. These laws were intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The phrase underscores the importance of obedience to God's revealed will, a theme that runs throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:1-3).

from the day the LORD gave them
This refers to the specific historical moment when God delivered the law to Moses on Mount Sinai, an event that is central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God (Exodus 19-20). The giving of the law marked a new phase in God's redemptive plan, establishing a covenant that required Israel's faithfulness. This moment is also a type of the new covenant established through Christ, who fulfills the law (Matthew 5:17).

and continuing through the generations to come—
This phrase highlights the perpetual nature of God's commandments. The laws were not just for the immediate generation but were intended to guide all future generations of Israelites. This continuity underscores the unchanging nature of God's standards and His desire for a lasting relationship with His people. It also points to the enduring relevance of God's Word, as seen in passages like Psalm 119:89. The generational aspect of the law is mirrored in the New Testament's call for the faith to be passed down (2 Timothy 2:2).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who gives commandments to His people.

2. Moses
The prophet and leader of Israel, through whom God communicated His laws and commandments.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are the recipients of the commandments and laws.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites received the law and wandered for 40 years.

5. Generations to Come
Refers to the future descendants of the Israelites who are also bound by these commandments.
Teaching Points
The Perpetuity of God's Commandments
God's commandments are not just historical but are intended for all generations. This underscores the timeless nature of God's word and its relevance for us today.

The Role of Moses as Mediator
Moses serves as a mediator between God and His people, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate mediator of a new covenant.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commandments is a central theme, highlighting the need for faithfulness in our walk with God.

Generational Responsibility
The passage emphasizes the responsibility of each generation to uphold and teach God's commandments, encouraging us to pass on our faith to future generations.

Continuity and Fulfillment in Christ
While the law was given through Moses, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ, who calls us to live out the spirit of the law through love and grace.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of generational responsibility in Numbers 15:23 challenge us in our current cultural context?

2. In what ways can we see the role of Moses as a mediator reflected in the New Testament, particularly in the person of Jesus Christ?

3. How do the commandments given through Moses continue to have relevance for Christians today?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that we are passing on the teachings of God's word to the next generation?

5. How does understanding the continuity of God's commandments enhance our appreciation of the fulfillment of the law in Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 5:1-3
This passage reiterates the importance of the covenant and commandments given to Israel, emphasizing their perpetual relevance.

Psalm 119:89-91
Highlights the eternal nature of God's word and commandments, affirming their lasting authority.

Matthew 5:17-18
Jesus speaks about the fulfillment of the law, indicating its continued significance and fulfillment in Him.

Hebrews 13:8
Connects to the unchanging nature of God and His word, reinforcing the idea of continuity through generations.
Sermons
God Shows Himself Strict and Yet ConsiderateD. Young Numbers 15:22-29
Presumptuous Sins and Sins of IgnoranceW. Binnie Numbers 15:22-31
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Charged, Commanded, Commandment, Commands, Continuing, Generation, Generations, Henceforth, Henceforward, Laws, Onward, Throughout
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 15:22-26

     6615   atonement, necessity
     7206   community

Numbers 15:22-28

     5803   carelessness

Numbers 15:22-29

     6183   ignorance, of God
     6648   expiation

Numbers 15:22-31

     6021   sin, nature of

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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