The Lord gives teaching on unintentional sin done by the community (v22-26) or by an individual (v27-29) and how it is to be dealt with (v24-25, 27-28). It is possible for believers and even the whole fellowship to sin without realising it. We can fool ourselves into thinking we are pleasing God when we are not. A close walk with God in His Word helps us see reality as God sees it. Sin is sin, even if it is unintentional, and it needs the sacrifice of Christ.

The passage (v30-31), deals with intentional sin which is defiant and comes from a heart determined to go against God’s direction. There is no forgiveness for such sin as it is from a rebellious heart. Those guilty of it are to be cut off from God’s people partly due to their influence on others.

The person who broke gathered sticks on the Sabbath (v32-34) was disobeying Exodus 35 v3. God gives the command for this man to be put to death by the whole community (v35-36). God takes keeping the Sabbath very seriously. The Sabbath Day did not begin with the giving of the law but began at creation (Gen. 2 v2-3) and therefore exists for all time. You are complacent about Sabbath observance at your peril.

The chapter ends with directions about tassels on their clothes whose purpose were to be a remind the wearer to obey God’s commands (v37-41).