The title of this post may, at first glance, sound unbiblical and contrary to what you may have read on this blog before now. However, stay with me for a moment.
Truly, God is principled; he says what he means and does what he says. His word is yea and amen. If he were unstable in his words and actions, we would have no confidence in him.
However, God is also a father, a loving one at that, who listens and is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). God knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). So, even when we contravene his word, if we come in humble repentance as David and Ahab did, he forgives. In fact, God’s mercy rejoices over judgment (James 2:13). Even when his judgment has been determined concerning a nation, if he finds a righteous man who can plead on their behalf, God listens and saves (Ezekiel 22:30; Genesis 18:16-33).
Now to my case study.
Reading Numbers 19:11-16, we are made to know that if any man touches a dead body, or the bone of a dead man, or the grave, that man will be unclean seven days. He would need to purify himself on the third and seventh days with the water of purification specifically prepared according to God’s command.
However, something happened in Numbers 9:6-12. Although this event seems to precede the ordinance of Numbers 19, the actions of those involved show that the ordinance was already in force in some fashion.
Certain men had become ceremonially defiled (unclean) because they touched the body of a dead man. It was the day of Passover, but they couldn’t observe it because of their uncleanness.
Desiring to be part of the important feast of Passover, they came to Moses to ask what they could do. They wanted to offer unto the Lord during Passover and not remain unclean for seven days.
God’s servant, Moses, understood that simply reciting the ordinance of seven days of isolation to these men wasn’t enough. There was a need to hear God on this peculiar case. Therefore, Moses enquired from the Lord, and God asked the men to go ahead to participate in the Passover. In fact, a new law regarding Passover was enacted to accommodate both this case and the case of people who lived outside the location of the tabernacle or temple.
Beloved, God is an understanding God. He understands that there could be peculiar situations where his rules may need a little adjustment to accommodate people who love his laws and ordinances, who want to keep them, but unfortunately fell short because of circumstances beyond their control. He is not rigid and inconsiderate. He is understanding and merciful.
This is not to encourage flagrant violation of God’s laws because, “After all, God is merciful and understanding.” Doing so would be tantamount to committing a presumptuous sin, and God frowns at that (Numbers 14:40-45).
So, God can adjust to accommodate our human peculiarities. Just humbly approach him and explain your particular condition. Sometimes it may simply take going to your Pastor for counselling, seeing that he stands in the office of Moses.
