Numbers 15:15

Numbers 15:15 establishes a foundational principle of equality under God's law for both the native-born Israelite and the foreigner living among them. This verse underscores God's impartial justice and His desire for a unified community bound by His divine statutes, regardless of origin.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Numbers 15 that details various laws and offerings given to the Israelites as they prepared for their future life in the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Numbers 15:1-14) outline specific regulations for different types of offerings (burnt offerings, peace offerings), emphasizing that these rituals were to be performed according to precise instructions. Numbers 15:15 then broadens the scope, clarifying that these ordinances, and indeed the broader legal framework of the Mosaic Law, applied universally within the community, extending even to the "stranger that sojourneth with you." This demonstrates God's foresight in establishing a just and inclusive society from its inception.

Key Themes

• Equality Before God's Law: The core message is that there is "one ordinance" for everyone. This principle dictates that all individuals within the Israelite community, whether native-born or foreign resident, were subject to the same divine commandments and held to the same standards of accountability. This counters any potential for a two-tiered legal system based on ethnicity or social status.
• Inclusion of the Sojourner: God explicitly commands the Israelites to treat the "stranger" (Hebrew: ger, referring to a resident alien or non-Israelite who has settled among them) with the same legal rights and responsibilities as themselves. This highlights God's deep concern for those who might otherwise be vulnerable or marginalized, a consistent theme throughout the Torah. This divine directive for hospitality and justice towards outsiders is echoed in other passages, such as Leviticus 19:34, which commands, "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself," and Deuteronomy 10:19, which reminds them to "love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
• Perpetual Nature of God's Ordinances: The phrase "an ordinance for ever in your generations" emphasizes the enduring and unchanging nature of this divine mandate. It was not a temporary rule but a foundational principle intended to govern Israelite society throughout its existence.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stranger" or "sojourner" is ger (גֵּר). This term specifically refers to a resident alien—a non-Israelite who has chosen to live among the Israelites and is expected to abide by their laws and customs. Unlike a temporary visitor, the ger was a permanent resident who had rights and responsibilities within the community. The term "ordinance" comes from the Hebrew chuqqah (חֻקָּה), signifying a statute, decree, or prescribed rule, often implying something firmly established by divine authority.

Practical Application

Numbers 15:15 carries profound implications for believers today. It challenges us to reflect God's character of impartiality and justice in our own lives and communities. This verse calls for:

• Hospitality and Welcome: It encourages us to extend welcome and fair treatment to all people, especially those who are new, different, or marginalized in our societies and churches.
• Universal Application of God's Moral Law: It reminds us that God's moral standards apply to everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or social standing.
• Unity in Diversity: The principle of "as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD" foreshadows the New Testament truth that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female. It calls us to foster inclusive communities where all are valued and treated with dignity under God's loving authority.