Numbers 15:14
The Alien and the Offering by Fire
When everything is so implicated on the Lord Jesus, the difference between Jew and Gentile disappears for God. That is why we read in these verses that the same applies to an alien as to the born Israelite. The alien also has the privilege of bringing such fire offerings. This means not only that he must do the same as the Israelite, but that he has the same position as the Israelite before the LORD.The place given to the Gentile here next to the Israelite (Num 15:15b) is unique in the Old Testament. The distinction is always maintained. And if there is blessing for the Gentiles, it is through Israel, so not on an equal footing. So how is it possible that this is written here? Because, as has been said, God here thinks of the offering of the Lord Jesus. Where He comes to the fore, there can be no difference in God’s actions with man. Jews and Gentiles have both sinned “and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23b). Therefore they both depend on the same grace (Rom 10:11-12; Rom 11:32). On the basis of the work of the Lord Jesus, God can deal with Jew and Gentile on the same basis.
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