(1) 30:12 “When you take a census of the Israelites according to their number, then each man is to pay a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them.
a. What does, "according to their number" mean?
(NET) it often involves mustering an army for a military purpose
b. Why did they need to pay a ransom when they went to war?
..the warrior was essentially a murderer, if he killed anyone in battle. For this reason his blood was forfeit; if he survived he must pay a [ransom] because every human life possesses value and must be atoned for. The payment during the census represented a “presumptive ransom” so that they could not be faulted for what they might do in war.
c. What if they did not pay the ransom (and presumed that they still went to war and killed someone)?
There will be plague among them when you number them.
(2) 30:13a Everyone who crosses over to those who are numbered is to pay this: a half shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary...
(NET) Each man was to pass in front of the counting officer and join those already counted on the other side....The half shekel weight of silver would be about one-fifth of an ounce (6 grams).
Reflection: Each person was assumed to do something that would cause their lives. Perhaps they were all expected to fight in the war, but anyway they all needed to pay for the ransom for their lives. If we have not sinned before we certainly will in the future. Sin is universal. God will judge.
(NET) Each man was to pass in front of the counting officer and join those already counted on the other side....The half shekel weight of silver would be about one-fifth of an ounce (6 grams).
Reflection: Each person was assumed to do something that would cause their lives. Perhaps they were all expected to fight in the war, but anyway they all needed to pay for the ransom for their lives. If we have not sinned before we certainly will in the future. Sin is universal. God will judge.
(3) 30:15 The rich are not to increase it, and the poor are not to pay less than the half shekel when giving the offering of the LORD, to make atonement for your lives
v.16 It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD, to make atonement for your lives.”
This is not titling. There is no difference according to your income level. Because this is the price of our lives. Our lives have equal value. Or our sins have equal value. We all need to pay for it. I believe the money in OT is just the object lesson. The real one is the life of Jesus dying for our sins.
Audrey
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