Numbers 5

Devotional:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people—men or women—betray the Lord by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty.  They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done, adding an additional 20 percent and returning it to the person who was wronged. (Numbers 5:5-7).

This chapter includes regulations to make sure God’s people remain pure — referring both to physical uncleanness in the form of disease (vs. 1-4) and moral uncleanness in the form of sin (vs. 5-31). The people needed to stay away from things or people that drag them down or destroy them, as physical disease and sin can spread to the whole group. Therefore, the people were to safeguard their camp physically and spiritually, removing those who had diseases and also confessing sin and making restitution when sinning against others. Do you have someone or something that is dragging you down? Have you wronged someone and not yet addressed it? These things can destroy you and your relationships. Now is the time to make things right. Today is the day to clear things up before your brother or sister, and your God.

Pray it:
Father, help me stay pure and recognize when I have acted improperly towards you and others. Help me confess my sin, bring restitution when and where I can, and guard against allowing sin to spread in my life and community. Amen.

Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?