Page 19 - April 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Earnest Warning (10:26-31) ESV, YLT). For the man who gathered
(Continued) sticks, we must conclude his act was com-
mitted wilfully and defiantly against the
A Sorer Punishment to Be Considered clear injunctions of the Law. It was not
(10:28-29) a case of “sin through ignorance” (Num
Verses 28 and 29 form a comparison, 15:24-29; Heb 5:2). In the language of
the purpose of which is to emphasise verse 26, it was a case of sinning wilfully
the seriousness of wilful sin and the sure after receiving the knowledge of the truth.
recompense of God’s judgment. In verse Note also, he “despised” divine revela-
28, the writer provides an Old Testament tion (v28). “Despised” means to set aside,
example of divine judgment for sinning cast off, disesteem, disregard or reject. In
wilfully after receiving the full knowledge Deuteronomy 17:12-13, such presump-
of the truth. In verse 29, he asks a rhetori- tion (or pride, insolence, arrogance) and
cal question to impress upon us that the deliberate disobedience demanded capital
penalty for wilful sin against “the Son of punishment: “… that man shall die ….
God” and “the Spirit of grace” is much And all the people shall hear, and fear,
more severe than for wilful sin under and do no more presumptuously.” The
the Law. The case is hypothetical, and no desired outcome was that all may know
answer is given. Thus, the reader is left to and understand an abiding principle:
ponder from a divine perspective the peril despised revelation and abused privilege
of sinning wilfully. lead to judgment. Such is the tenor of the
In verse 28, the writer states the dire warnings in Hebrews.
outcome for one who “despised Moses’ In verse 29, a question is posed using a
law” – he “died without mercy.” While comparative (“much sorer”), the purpose
1
there were several cases for which the being to make us think (i.e., “suppose ye”)
death penalty was prescribed (e.g., blas- about the surety and severity of God’s
phemy, cursing, murder, idolatry, adul- judgment. In simple terms, the question
tery, etc.), the case in Numbers 15:30-36 is, If sinning defiantly and knowingly
is most likely on the writer’s mind. There, under Moses’ law was worthy of the death
law against presumptuous sin (vv30-31) penalty, then how much more severe a
and an occasion of transgression against penalty do we think would be deserving
it are recorded (vv32-36). In this account, of a Christian who goes on sinning wil-
a man who was seen gathering sticks on fully against NT revelation and privilege?
the Sabbath day was stoned to death by The wilful sin is characterised in a three-
the Lord’s command (vv35-36). fold way: (1) “trodden under foot the Son
According to Numbers 15:30, the death of God,” (2) “esteemed the blood of the
penalty was to be imposed when a person covenant ... common,” and (3) “insulted
acted “presumptuously” (or “defiantly,” the Spirit of grace” (v29 JND). It seems
NASB, NET; lit. “with a high hand,” JND, relatively obvious that such volition,
contempt and offence are diametrically
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV opposed to the exhortation (vv19-25).
unless otherwise noted. “Trodden under foot” (katapateo) is a

115
TruthandTidings.com I April 2025 115