"Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has a defiling skin disease or a discharge of any kind, or who is ceremonially unclean because of a dead body.
3Send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them."
- P138
5The Lord said to Moses,
6"Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty - P138
7and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.
8But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the Lord and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for the wrongdoer.
- P139
God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites to remove anyone with a skindisease, discharge, or uncleanness from the camp in order to maintain purity. - P139
pHe also addresses restitution for theft: if someone wrongs another, they mustrepay the full value with an additional fifth. The restitution should be given tothe person wronged or their family. - P139
The Lord’s command to send ceremonially unclean people outside the camp is a reflection of His perfect holiness. God desires for His people to be set apart and to seek to live according to His impeccable standard of purity. - P140
our church communities, we can help one another become more like Christ by emphasizing the importance of having a pure heart and dealing swiftly with any sin that rears its ugly head. - P140
Since wrongdoing always has its consequences, we can speak the truth in love when necessary and not allow sinful behaviors to continue. - P140
We can remind one another that, because Jesus paid the full price for our sins, we can go to Him with repentant and humble hearts to receive His grace and restoration. - P140
we should also remember that when we sin against someone, we are ultimately being unfaithful to the Lord. When we do not keep our word, when we mistreat someone or harbor sinful thoughts toward others, we demonstrate that we do not fear the Lord and take obedience to Him lightly. Thus, we ought to repent before God along with confessing our sin to others and making necessary amends. - P140
The system that God establishes here reminds His people of the importance of unity in our communities. Unity is bolstered when God’s people confess their sins and make amends for the wrongs they have done. - P140
Have you been harboring sinful thoughts against anyone? Confess your sins, and ask God to help you love that person better. - P140
No wonder we are exhorted to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Such a battle is never-ending and requiresconstant vigilance. - P141
While this struggle will continue onward, it is good toknow that Christ died for all our sins, including our most hidden thoughts.
- P141
We can start anew, arming our hearts with worship, and asking Him to fillus with His love once again. - P141
Heavenly Father, You are a holy God who does not tolerate wrongdoing. Forgive me for the times I took Your standards lightly, and the times I mistreated others. - P141
Cleanse and strengthen my heart so that I may better love those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P141
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