- “When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering.” The guilt offering, or often called the reparation offering (reparation means making amends, usually by compensation), is specifically for sins against what belongs to God. In many modern churches (especially evangelical churches) nothing in the church is considered “holy” and even the leftover bread that was used for communion is often thrown away. The worship hall is often used for multiple purposes. Do you think these are issues that the church should be mindful of?
I think so. God clearly marks certain things as his. Even in the sacrifices he makes clear what must only be burnt and what can be eaten. Christian thought rationalises that since we are now able to enter into the Holy of Holies then all other “lesser holies” should no longer be considered off-limits. That, I think, is lazy thinking. If we are to live holy lives in space and time then it is important that we are sensitive to the holy in space and time and not confine holy to our spirit and our inner life. The more we habitually respect the limits of our space and respond appropriately to space that is reserved for holy matters the more we should be reminded to mind God in our actions and choices.
- “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible.” The second area that comes under the guilt offering is being involved in something that is expressly forbidden but the transgressor is unaware—a transgression against the authority of God. Do you know of anything that offends God alone thus defiling what is his? Would the fact that the church does not observe the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament fall under this category?
I don’t think it makes sense to bring the ceremonial laws of the OT into the church. However, they should serve to teach and help us appreciate the mind of God in these matters rather than be ignored. Taking the name of God in vain? Using his name to express shock, surprise, curse, etc. To make the things of his and matters that he considers to be important and valuable into the subject of jokes and to poke fun at him, and at our Lord and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit. To take lightly and even disregard things that you acknowledge to be God’s direct word and command to you. To treat the Holy Communion as a common act. To transgress your marriage vows.
- “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, or if they find lost property and lie about it, or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit—when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found, or whatever it was they swore falsely about.” The issue here is not about stealing per se but about abusing God’s name and reputation to get away with your lie. Are there any equivalent situations that come to your mind?
This scenario is still true in a court of law but swearing falsely can also happen in daily conversation and interaction. It highlights the importance of truth and that truth is in God’s domain.
- Except for defiling God’s rule and sovereignty (sinning against his commands), the other two areas of transgression require reparations (notice that these are reparations to God and not to any other person who may have suffered; those are separate). Why do you think this is so?
It makes especial sense when God’s name is abused for personal gain. Not sure how reparations apply when God’s reputation is harmed. It is true that in civil law reputational damage can be compensated although clearly such compensation cannot repair reputational damage. Still, such reparations will instil the notion that God has space in this world and we should be careful about it.