Numbers 15:1-3 ‘Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land where you are to live, which I am giving you then make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock.”‘
This has interesting timing. The people had just lost the promised land as well as some of their own who attempted to take the land in disobedience. My thought is that they would have great sadness. I do think that’s true. God gives a whole new perspective, giving and gratitude. Yes, they have great sadness and that will need to be processed at some point. Now they need to see what’s real. They have been specially chosen by God to be an example to the world for all time. They need to see their specialness and be grateful for it. While there is a time for sympathy, it wasn’t now. The people were in a negative place. They were behaving as they wanted in defiance to God. They needed to get out of that. It may seem insensitive, but they needed to see the honor of the position they’ve been given. It’s like a spoiled wealthy child throwing a tantrum for not getting an expensive toy. All the while, a block away people are suffering in poverty. To sit with the child and sympathize is not the answer. To drive them by and show them just a bit of the poverty would be. It doesn’t need to be traumatizing, as with the poverty comes great abuse. Just enough exposure to show the child that the perspective is wrong. Gratitude for their position is appropriate. This is difficult, especially for a child. To lay aside one’s negative feelings isn’t easy. This was a serious situation. People died. God is attempting to get them back in the right mindset. They weren’t mindful of God. He is a person, not as in human, but He has a personality. He has been ignored in all of this. God is bringing them back. It’s not that God’s feeling are hurt and they need to see that. It’s more that He is awesome in power, that there is no equal. They need to respect that. He is creator God. The all wise one. We also need to be jolted out of our experiences at times. It has to do with us being in a toxic place. It may be bad emotionally or morally. We shouldn’t stay there. Such a example is in Isaiah 6:1, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.” Here Isaiah may be grieving and hopeless after the death of a good king. In that context, he sees The Lord on His throne. The best thing for us may be to brought out of a dark place. Yes, it may feel like a shock, but a therapeutic one. This is like gestalt therapy. To be faced with a tough reality and brought back. There is a time for soulful reflections. David penned many Psalms filled with such times. Those are good and healing. Lord, thank You for Your wisdom. Thank You that You care enough about us to do the tough things. Helps us not to wallow in our bad places.