“We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the LORD’s offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?”

Numbers 9:7 (ESV)

In life, stuff happens. Things don’t always work out like we want them to, or like we think they should. Mistakes are made. Accidents happen. But God is a God of second chances.

That’s what we see in Numbers 9. Certain men touched a dead body and were ceremonially unclean. Therefore, they couldn’t celebrate Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month when it was supposed to be celebrated. They appealed to Moses to see if a concession could be made, and Moses inquired of the LORD. In response, God made a provision that if someone touched a corpse and was unclean or was on a journey during Passover, then they could celebrate the feast one month later. God made an allowance for such extenuating circumstances.

Some people are so rigid that they have no grace for others and no compassion. Their heart is not tender toward fellow humans. But when Jesus walked this earth He was often moved with compassion when He saw people in trouble. Do we respond like this when we see a need? Or do we cross over to the other side of the street, as the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan?

In our defense of the truth, we must never lose sight of compassion and grace, love and mercy. Yes, we must uphold the law, for it is God’s standard of righteousness. But God makes allowances for human weaknesses. He finds ways to reconcile the sinner to Himself, and we should also seek opportunities to make peace.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV)

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash