Numbers 15 WHEN YE COME From the dark chapter in Israel's history because of disobedience that would leave a whole generation to live thirty-eight years in the wilderness as punishment, comes a word of hope and promise. The failure of those who rejected God's word and will is contrasted with the faith of those who would enter the land of promise. God's promise was going to be fulfilled - "when ye come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you." The future of Israel was assured in a few words spoken by the Lord. The sovereign grace of God brings the blessing of salvation and all its accompanying blessings because our God is full of mercy. If it wasn't for that, how lost we all would be.
The expected response to the Lord's blessings was that there would be the sacrifices of praise and gratitude in the free-will offerings. Their vows would be kept and sacrifices of righteousness and the wine of the kingdom blessings and joy, would be forth-coming. There would not only be the response of a thankful nation of Jews, but also of the strangers who lived among them who were of different nationalities. The citizens would be as one people in the sight of God. There are to be no schisms or divisions among God's people. When there are, it is because of willful acts of men, or in some cases, simply ignorance on the part of men regarding the mind and will of God.
The sins of ignorance would normally come from those who have just come into the family of God. In grace, God has made a way of acceptance when there was the act of the sin of genuine ignorance. Even then, such a thing was not overlooked. There was a price to be paid - a sacrifice that had to be made even though a person did not know what they did was wrong. We really don't learn anything if there is not a cost to be paid for ignorance. Often ignorance is overlooked and the person who sinned is excused. When one has to pay a price for their ignorance, not only do they, but others around them will learn a lesson that hopefully will not have to be repeated. Grace provides a way for the sin of ignorance to be dealt with, and holiness demands that sin be judged and confessed. Making excuses for ignorance is not the same as not knowing an act was wrong. An excuse is not excusable.
Why is there ignorance in the first place? What is the reason behind a person not knowing what is right or wrong? There are not many reasons to be found for ignorance. Childhood or mental incompetence are two reasons that are understandable. Willful ignorance in order to avoid what is uncomfortable or to not do what is right, is not an acceptable excuse for misbehavior. We are obligated, when some practice is observed that is unknown to us, to find out what is the reason for that and to acquaint ourselves with it by testing it with the word of God. Then we are to act upon the facts with sound judgment. Self-interest and indifference to the truth and righteousness, are often connected. The Holy Spirit in a believer guides us and seeks to control the activities in which we are involved. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine..."
Disobedience and independence go together and result in what is called "presumptuous" sins. Such sins are a reproach to the Lord personally and is evidence that one who does them, despises the word of God. Rebellion and stubbornness are in direct contrast to dependence and obedience. Such characteristics are not consistent with the divine life of a child of God. The man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath while everyone else was resting, is an example of sinning presumptuously. He was challenging the clearly stated law of God. In his arrogance he walked out to where he could find the sticks he wanted and then brought them back. That example was carried out to the full extent of the law. The phrase, "that soul shall be utterly cut off," meant that he was to be executed. it wasn't the sticks he gathered that caused him to lose his life; it was the presumptuous attitude against God and His word. The whole nation would have learned from that example to not defy the Lord.
In contrast to such arrogance was the reminder the blue tassel on the fringes of their garments would give the people that they were the people of God. They represented the God of heaven. Even though they were wanderers in the wilderness, this wilderness scene was a temporary place for them. They belonged to the kingdom of heaven. They were to obey God and act upon His revealed will through His word to them in every situation in which they were found. Even such reminders can be misused. In the time the Lord Jesus Christ was here on earth, the religious Jews made big bands of blue on their garments so they would appear to be superior in holiness compared to the common people. It is possible for us to take the teaching of the word of God, and add to it until it appeals to the religious vanity of self-righteous people. We are not to add, or take away from the things God has said, and that are written. It is possible to act presumptuously by man- made religious actions. The tassels on the garments were a simple reminder of who people of God are and what it means to be associated with a heavenly God.