the Sixth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Numbers 15:22-41
The Word which discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart carefully draws the distinction between sins "of negligence" (v. 22), resulting from ignorance or neglect, and sins "of presumption" (v. 30), committed wilfully in defiance of the divine will. No provision was made for the latter, as is shown by the example of the punishment of the man who had no respect for the Sabbath (vv. 32-36). "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults", prays the psalmist. But he adds, aware of his weakness, "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me . . . " (Psalms 19:12-13).
With regard to evil, the Israelite had a further preventive measure: this fringe, attached to his robe by a riband of blue, a reminder that he is bound to the LORD, and a permanent warning not to soil his garment. What a fine symbol for us believers of our heavenly character which we should never lose sight of! Let us thus be preserved from sin in our walk and also from seeking after our own heart and our own eyes (v. 39). "Seek those things which are above, . . . Set your affection on things above . . . ", enjoins Colossians 3:1-2.
