Justin Houtz

Numbers 5, Romans 5

DateVersionReading Plan
May 2, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 5

Observation

The chapter contains three instructional discourses of the LORD to Moses to be given to the people, namely of what to do with those who were leprous or unclean, those who commit sin and break faith with the LORD and for women who commit and/or are suspected of adultery. For the leprous and unclean, both male and female were to be put outside the camp lest they defile the camp (Num. 4:3). Regarding the man or woman who break faith with the LORD, they were to confess their sin and make restitution for their wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to the wronged party (Num. 4:7). If the person had no next of kin, restitution was to go to the LORD by the priest, in addition to the ram for atonement (Num. 4:8).

As for cases of adultery on the part of a wife, Num. 4:11-31, the “passage describes a lie-detecting ritual known as the trial of jealousy. The purpose of this ceremony was to determine the guilt or innocence of a woman who was suspected of being unfaithful to her husband. The woman was required to drink … water mixed with dust from the floor of the tabernacle. If she was guilty, it would prove a curse to her, causing swelling of the stomach and rotting of the thigh. If she was innocent, no ill effects would follow.” (BBC)

Application

The BBC makes a good point concerning the test of adultery in that “Jealousy can destroy a marriage, whether it has justifiable grounds or not” and that the ritual of drinking the water “provided a way to settle the issue once for all. The judgment of God would be upon the guilty, and the innocent would be freed from the suspicion of her partner.” Human jealousy is not like God’s righteous jealousy as it is often stems from the desire to control or as an expression of self-preservation. Infidelity is undoubtedly incredibly hurtful and destructive, but it is not for us to exact judgment on a guilty individual that belongs solely to God. Our disposition should be one of earnest sorrow for the harm this action has caused the relationship between this individual and the LORD in their sin against Him in breaking the marital covenant.

Romans 5

Observation

Continuing from the last chapter, Paul concludes that justification of God’s children comes by faith and that through our Lord Jesus Christ we obtain peace with God (Rom. 5:1). By Jesus is grace accessed, leading to rejoicing both in the hope of the glory of God and also our sufferings (Rom. 5:2-3). Regarding the latter, we know that suffering produces endurance which produces character with further produces hope, a hope that does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into us by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Rom. 5:3-5).

It was not when we were strong, but while we were weak that Christ died for us. “This act of divine love was unique and unparalleled by anything in human experience…[a man] would be reluctant to die even for a ‘righteous’ man, one who is honest and dependable but not especially warmhearted. It is possible, in an extreme case, that he would die for a ‘good’ man, meaning one who is kind, friendly, loving, and lovable.” (BBC) We have been justified by Christ’s blood and, by the death of the Son, have been saved from God’s wrath and reconciled to Him (Rom. 5:10). It is through Jesus Christ alone that we receive this reconciliation (Rom. 5:11).

Paul makes clear that all men inherit the sin of Adam, that sin was in the world before the law was given and yet death reigned from Adam to Moses (Rom. 5:12-14). However, the free gift of God’s grace is not like the trespass. While many died through the Adam’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of Jesus Christ abounded for many (Rom. 4:15). If death reigned by Adam’s trespass, much more will righteousness reign in life for those who receive the abundance of grace through the one man Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17).

Just as Adam’s one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so by Jesus’ one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men (Rom. 5:18). By Adam’s disobedience, all men were made sinners but by Jesus’ obedience the many are made righteous (Rom. 5:19). The law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Rom. 5:20). All this in order that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:21).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, what a beautiful institution You have created in marriage. Father, by Your Spirit help Your children diligently seek to preserve the sanctity of the marital bed and to grieve righteously when it is defiled. Father, thank You that Your grace abounds far more than our sin in Adam. May we respond in bold proclamation of Your radiant glory and endless love for the saints.

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