https://esv.literalword.com/?q=numbers+5
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 21 March 2025:
Numbers 5:3 – “You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.”
God is in the midst of His people and does not distinguish between race, gender, or ethnicity.
Numbers 5:4 – And the people of Israel did so, and put them outside the camp; as the LORD said to Moses, so the people of Israel did.
God expects immediate obedience to the work He gives His people.
Numbers 5:3 – “You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.”
People with serious communicable diseases were put outside the camp to keep disease from spreading throughout the group. Similarly, the Bible has provisions for protecting the church from unrepentant sinners, divisive people, and false teachers:
False Teachers
- Matthew 7:15-16 – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”
o Jesus warns about false teachers and how they can be identified. - Romans 16:17 – “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
o Paul instructs believers to stay away from those who promote false doctrine. - 2 John 1:10-11 – “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
o John commands believers not to associate with false teachers. - Titus 3:10-11 – “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
o Paul gives a process for addressing divisive people before removing them. - Galatians 1:8-9 – “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
o Strong condemnation for anyone preaching a false gospel.
Unrepentant Sinners
- Matthew 18:15-17 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you… If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
o Jesus lays out a step-by-step process for church discipline. - 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 – “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one… ‘Purge the evil person from among you.'”
o Paul instructs the church to remove an unrepentant sinner. - 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”
o Paul warns against associating with disobedient believers.
Divisive People
- Titus 3:10-11 (mentioned above) – “Warn a divisive person once, then twice, and after that, have nothing to do with them.”
o A clear process for handling division. - Jude 1:19 – “It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”
o Describes divisive people as lacking the Holy Spirit. - 2 Timothy 3:5 – “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
o Paul tells Timothy to avoid those who have a false appearance of faith. - 1 Timothy 6:3-5 – “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ… he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing… Withdraw from such a person.”
o False teachers and divisive individuals are to be avoided.
These verses establish the biblical principle that the church must maintain purity by removing false teachers, unrepentant sinners, and divisive individuals when necessary. However, the goal is always repentance and restoration whenever possible (Galatians 6:1). Unlike the spirit of our current “cancel culture,” this separation is motivated by live with the aim of reconciliation to a restored unity and people which can only come through commonality in Christ.
Numbers 5:6, 7 — “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.”
Sin is against God, and God takes it very seriously, even if you didn’t realize you were sinning when you were doing it. God commands His people to not only confess their sins to those who they have offended, but he also expects them to make restitution as much as possible. Jesus reiterated this responsibility: “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23, 24).”
Unresolved sin between you and others affects your worship. Some have suggested that restitution is not required because sins are ultimately committed against God, and we are under grace; however, this is not Jesus’ teaching. In fact, Jesus says that we are to confess and make restitution immediately, urgently.
In Luke 19, Zacchaeus offers a great example of immediate confession and restitution regardless the personal cost. The problem with confessing sins to others is that they are generally not as forgiving as God (Psalm 25 speaks eloquently to the grace and mercy God offers the repentant sinner). However, we are to trust God to work on the heart of the offended. Trust God with the consequences. Delay is disobedience. Today is the day to settle matters “as far as it depends on you.”
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 21 March 2025: Develop a practice of regular self-examination and confession. At the end of each day, reflect on your personal conduct and interactions and ask God to reveal any ways in which you may have sinned privately and against others. Then, commit to making things right quickly, trusting God with the outcome. Remember, love for God and others requires obedience.
- Matthew 22:37-40 – “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'”
- 1 Timothy 1:5 — The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
- John 14:21 – “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
- John 15:10 – “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
- 1 John 2:5 – “But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him.”
- 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
- 2 John 1:6 – “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”
- James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 