Purity and the Need for Holiness (Numbrs 5 and 6)

Continuing the preparation for the march, Numbers now turns to keeping the camp clean. We do not understand these laws and ceremonies as much today. Largely ceremonial, purity laws are concerned with the ways that we inadvertently separate ourselves from a holy God. It is not certain groups of people that do this—everyone is susceptible to unholiness. Outlined in more detail in Leviticus, we see here in Numbers five that people who had skin diseases, discharges, or who came into contact with death, were put outside the camp until they could cleanse their impurity.

Additionally, we see here in Numbers five, provisions for making things right when people are wronged. Sins against our neighbors also damage the holiness of the community. Not only are sins against fellow humans damaging to our relationships with each other; they damage our relationship with God as well. That is why restitution had to be paid even when the wronged person was no longer alive. The relationship with God needs to be put right as well.

Holy God dwelling with His people is a volatile situation! Holiness can not abide unholiness. Destruction breaking out on the people was a constant danger. This is why we can be eternally grateful for the new covenant in Jesus. Thanks to His sacrifice, we no longer must repeatedly cleanse ourselves ceremonially. His sacrifice cleanses us once and for all.

Numbers continues to address the purity in the camp in two more situations…