Numbers 15: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Numbers 15 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh instructs Moses about offerings when the children of Israel enter the land. They must make offerings by fire, including burnt offerings and meal offerings (vv. 1-16). Each offering has specific requirements for flour, oil, and wine. The Israelites are to offer a wave offering from their dough when they eat the land's bread (vv. 17-21). If they err and do not observe the commandments, they must bring a young bull and goat for sin offerings (vv. 22-26). For individuals who sin unwittingly, a female goat is required (vv. 27-31). If someone violates the Sabbath by gathering sticks, that person is to be put to death (vv. 32-36). Yahweh commands that they make fringes on their garments to remember His commandments (vv. 37-41).

Key verse

“‘But the soul who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, the same blasphemes Yahweh. That soul shall be cut off from among his people.”
Numbers 15:30 (WEB)

Outline

Numbers 15:1–16 Instructions for Offerings
Numbers 15:17–21 Wave Offering of Dough
Numbers 15:22–26 Atonement for Unintentional Sins
Numbers 15:27–31 Atonement for Individuals
Numbers 15:32–36 Death for Sabbath Violation
Numbers 15:37–41 Fringes and Remembrance

Discussion questions

In v8, what type of offering is specified when preparing a bull?
In v39, what is the purpose of the fringe on their garments?
The phrase 'one law' in v29: what does it imply about the treatment of foreigners?
The consequence for 'high hand' sin in v30: how does it differ from unintentional sin?
When have you faced a situation where a 'high hand' attitude affected your relationships?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 15: Leviticus 4, Numbers 28, Hebrews 10.

Before next time: read Numbers 16.