Thoughts on the readings for March 24th (Numbers 5, Proverbs 2, Luke 16)

Numbers 5 tells of regulations for dealing with diseased and ceremonially unclean people. It also tells of the rules for these “unclean” people to re-enter the Holy Camp, where the LORD dwelt. The chapter finishes with a test for when a jealous husband suspects his wife has committed adultery. The underlying reason for the offerings that accompanied the restoration of the “unclean” person and the wife who was now clear from the suspicion of her jealous husband was that faithfulness was not accidental, but was an essential part of being the Yahweh’s covenant people. It placed upon the Israelites the responsibility of holiness. Hence for the restoration of the ceremonially unclean and the vindicated wife the offering associated with restored fellowship was the guilt offering. Whilst outside the camp the ceremonially guilty parties had not been able to give their reasonable service. For the wife of the jealous husband the acquittal from guilt, or the proving of guilt, was a process that was divinely made. Hence the use of dust from the Tabernacle’s floor.