The Old Testament law, as given to the children of Israel, was a detailed and rigorous covenant, full of statutes designed to highlight both God's holiness and humanity's need for redemption. In Numbers 19:13-16, we find a specific instruction regarding ceremonial uncleanness:
"Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him" (Numbers 19:13, KJB).
This passage clearly illustrates the gravity of defilement under the Mosaic law. Merely being in the presence of a dead body—whether in a home or under an open casket—rendered a person unclean, requiring purification through the specific rites prescribed. Yet, for those still living under the law or attempting to mingle it with the gospel, such actions have profound implications.
The Law as a Shadow of Christ
The Apostle Paul explains in the New Testament that the law served as a "schoolmaster" to lead us to Christ. He writes:
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24-25, KJB).
Under the new covenant, established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are no longer bound by the ceremonial laws that pointed to our need for a Savior. These laws, including those found in Numbers, were fulfilled in Christ, who declared:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil" (Matthew 5:17, KJB).
Catholic Practices and the Burden of the Law
Certain religious traditions, such as those observed in Catholicism, often appear to uphold aspects of the law or introduce additional works as necessary components for salvation. For example, the practice of sitting vigil by an open casket for extended periods could, under the Mosaic law, defile a person (as per Numbers 19:13-16). Yet, this is not addressed with the understanding that Christ has already borne the penalty of sin and uncleanness for those who trust in Him alone.
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Romans 10:4, KJB).
In holding to works-based practices or mingling grace with law, such traditions may inadvertently suggest that Christ’s sacrifice was insufficient. This is contrary to the gospel, which proclaims salvation by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJB).
The Freedom Found in Christ
The believer in Christ is no longer under the bondage of the law. This is not a license to sin but a call to live in the liberty of the Spirit:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1, KJB).
When we trust in Christ alone, the ceremonial laws, including those concerning defilement, are no longer binding. It is a powerful reminder of the sufficiency of His sacrifice and the complete cleansing offered through His blood.
The practices prescribed in Numbers 19 were a foreshadowing of the ultimate purification we receive through Christ. To remain under the law or attempt to mix it with grace is to misunderstand the gospel. As believers, we rest in the truth that Christ has fulfilled the law and set us free from its demands.
Let us, therefore, cling to the pure gospel of grace, trusting in Christ’s finished work alone, and not return to the bondage of legalism. For it is written:
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36, KJB).
Numbers 35:9-30: A Biblical Refutation of the "Just War Theory"
The Word of God is clear and consistent in its teaching on justice, life, and the sanctity of blood. In Numbers 35:9-30, we find instructions given to Israel regarding the cities of refuge and the handling of manslaughter versus premeditated murder. This passage not only underscores God's justice but also provides principles that contradict human philosophies like the Roman Catholic Church's "just war theory."
The Sanctity of Blood
"Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither" (Numbers 35:14-15, KJB).
God established cities of refuge to protect those who killed unintentionally, recognizing the difference between accidental manslaughter and deliberate murder. However, even in cases of manslaughter, the person was not free to return to society without a process of judgment and the death of the high priest (verse 25). For intentional murder, the judgment was unequivocal:
"But if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death" (Numbers 35:16, KJB).
The Lord is explicit about the consequences of shedding innocent blood:
"So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it" (Numbers 35:33, KJB).
This teaching reveals God's standard for justice, one rooted in the sanctity of life and the seriousness of bloodshed. It does not accommodate human theories that justify killing under the guise of necessity or righteousness.
Contradicting the "Just War Theory"
The "just war theory," formulated by thinkers like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and upheld by the Roman Catholic Church, proposes that war can be morally justified under certain conditions. These conditions include having a just cause, being declared by a legitimate authority, and ensuring proportionality in response. However, such a theory finds no basis in Scripture and directly conflicts with God's commands regarding the sanctity of life.
Numbers 35:9-30 reveals the following principles:
No Bloodshed Without Just Cause: The Bible condemns the taking of life except under God's explicit judgment. The killing of innocent civilians or even combatants outside of direct divine sanction would defile the land.
Accountability for Life Taken: Even unintentional killing required a process of refuge and judgment. How much more, then, does intentional killing—whether in war or otherwise—require accountability? The "just war theory" fails to address the Biblical principle that human life belongs to God and is not ours to take lightly.
Justice, Not Expediency: Human reasoning often seeks to justify actions for perceived greater good, such as national security or defense. Yet God’s law holds a higher standard, where justice is defined by His commandments, not human convenience.
The Gospel and the Higher Standard of Grace
Jesus Christ amplified the sanctity of life in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:21-22, KJB).
Under the new covenant, the standard is even higher: not only is murder condemned, but hatred and anger are also judged. For those who follow Christ, any justification for war, including the "just war theory," must be weighed against the call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44, KJB).
A Call to Faithful Obedience
Numbers 35:9-30 stands as a testimony to God's unwavering justice and the sanctity of life. It leaves no room for human philosophies like the "just war theory," which attempt to justify what God has declared unjustifiable. Instead of embracing such theories, believers are called to submit to God's Word, recognizing that vengeance and justice belong to Him alone:
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19, KJB).
Let us, therefore, reject human doctrines that twist God’s Word to justify sin and instead live in the freedom of the gospel, trusting in Christ’s righteousness and His perfect justice.
Deuteronomy and the Unchanging Word of God
The book of Deuteronomy stands as a powerful reminder of God's covenant with His people and His unchanging commandments. Through Moses, God calls Israel to obedience, warns against idolatry, and establishes laws for holy living. This truth has eternal relevance, standing in contrast to traditions and alterations made by man, such as the Roman Catholic Church's changes to the Sabbath and tolerance of idolatry.
The Call to Faithfulness (Deuteronomy 4:23, 4:28)
"Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee" (Deuteronomy 4:23, KJB).
"And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell" (Deuteronomy 4:28, KJB).
These verses issue a solemn warning: the worship of graven images or idols leads to spiritual destruction. Yet, idolatry remains prevalent in traditions like the veneration of statues in Roman Catholicism. These practices blatantly contradict God's command to avoid all forms of idolatry. The Bible does not provide exceptions for "religious purposes" or call for mediators other than Christ.
Paul reiterates this truth in the New Testament:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5, KJB).
Idolatry, whether through physical objects or misplaced devotion, represents a rejection of God's covenant and leads to spiritual blindness.
The Sabbath: A Commandment That Endures (Deuteronomy 5:6, 5:12)
The Ten Commandments were given as a lasting covenant, and among them stands the Sabbath:
"Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee" (Deuteronomy 5:12, KJB).
God's commandment to keep the Sabbath holy was never abolished. Nowhere in Scripture do we find permission to change or disregard this commandment. Jesus Himself affirmed the eternal relevance of the law:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil" (Matthew 5:17, KJB).
The Roman Catholic Church's alteration of the Sabbath, shifting its observance from the seventh day (Saturday) to the first (Sunday), stands in direct opposition to Scripture. This change reflects human authority, not divine decree. God's Word remains clear:
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18, KJB).
The Danger of Idolatry in All Forms (Deuteronomy 7:5, 7:9-11, 7:25-26)
God commanded Israel to utterly destroy the idols and altars of the nations they conquered:
"But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire" (Deuteronomy 7:5, KJB).
This command demonstrates the seriousness of idolatry and God's intolerance for compromise with sin. Today, many homes and churches have become modern altars to idols, filled with religious statues and symbols that detract from true worship.
God’s justice remains unchanging:
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face" (Deuteronomy 7:9-10, KJB).
"The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 7:25, KJB).
"Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing" (Deuteronomy 7:26, KJB).
The presence of religious images in homes or churches—whether statues, crucifixes, or other symbols—directly opposes these commands. Such objects often become the focus of veneration, leading people away from worshiping God in spirit and truth (John 4:24, KJB).
Conclusion: God’s Word Is Eternal
From the warnings against idolatry to the command to keep the Sabbath, Deuteronomy 4, 5, and 7 remind us that God’s Word is eternal and unchanging. Human traditions, no matter how widespread, cannot alter the truth of Scripture.
The Roman Catholic Church's deviations—such as changing the Sabbath and promoting idolatrous practices—reflect a reliance on human authority rather than obedience to God's commands. As believers, we are called to stand on the unshakable foundation of God’s Word:
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35, KJB).
Are Catholics Still Under the Law? Exploring Defilement Through Numbers 19
One of the core truths of the gospel is that believers are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ. Yet, when people try to mix self-effort or works into the gospel—what Paul calls "another gospel" (Galatians 1:8)—they effectively place themselves back under the law. This opens the door to spiritual defilement, as outlined in the Old Testament. Let’s dive into Numbers 19 and other passages to uncover how defilement under the law sheds light on works-based systems of salvation, such as those found in Roman Catholicism.
What Does Defilement Look Like in the Law?
Under the Mosaic Law, defilement wasn’t just about sin but extended to ceremonial uncleanness. God used these laws to show how impossible it is for humanity to meet His standard of holiness on our own. These examples from Numbers 19 give us insight into how mixing works with grace leads to spiritual uncleanness.
Contact with Death Brings Defilement
"He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days" (Numbers 19:11).
In ancient Israel, touching a dead body, entering a tent where someone had died, or even touching a grave made a person ceremonially unclean. Today, this can symbolize systems of dead works—religious rituals that lack the life-giving power of Christ.
Jesus addressed this spiritual death when He rebuked the Pharisees for outward religious appearances:
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27).
When rituals like the Catholic Mass are presented as a re-sacrifice of Christ, they reject the finality of His atoning work on the cross (Hebrews 10:10). Such practices can defile the soul by diverting trust away from Christ's completed work.
Touching Unclean Things
"Or if a soul touch any unclean thing... he also shall be unclean, and guilty" (Leviticus 5:2).
In the Old Testament, contact with unclean animals or objects defiled a person. Spiritually, this applies to compromising with false doctrines or traditions that mix human ideas with God’s Word.
For instance, the veneration of statues or relics in Catholicism, even if labeled as devotion, contradicts God’s command to avoid graven images (Deuteronomy 4:23-24; 7:25-26). These practices defile worship by shifting focus from God to man-made objects.
Idolatry in the Home and Church
God’s Word repeatedly warns against bringing idolatry into our homes or places of worship:
"Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it" (Deuteronomy 7:26).
Modern forms of idolatry might include religious statues, images, or altars set up in homes. While these may be intended as acts of reverence, they mirror the very practices God condemned. True worship is spiritual, not tied to physical objects (John 4:24).
For Catholics who rely on such objects as conduits for prayer or protection, this introduces spiritual defilement and replaces trust in the living God with lifeless rituals.
The Futility of Repeated Cleansing Rituals
In Numbers 19, even accidental defilement required a detailed cleansing process involving the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water. This ritual pointed to the insufficiency of the law to bring true cleansing, which could only be fulfilled in Christ:
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4).
Similarly, Catholic practices like confession, penance, and repeated observances of the Mass are attempts at continual cleansing. They reflect a system still operating under the principles of the law, not the grace and finality of the gospel:
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12).
What About Us Today?
For those who live under grace through faith in Christ alone, there is freedom from the burdens of the law. Jesus has already done the work we could never accomplish:
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).
But for anyone who adds works to the gospel—whether through rituals, penance, or reliance on saints—they remain under the impossible demands of the law, with all its potential for defilement. Paul’s warning in Galatians 5:1 remains as relevant as ever:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Rest in the Finished Work of Christ
The examples of defilement in the law, from contact with death to idolatry, remind us of our inability to make ourselves clean. No amount of rituals, traditions, or self-effort can achieve what Jesus has already done through His death and resurrection.
Let us leave behind "dead works" and embrace the pure and simple gospel of grace:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ... purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14).
True freedom comes not from striving but from trusting in the finished work of Christ. Don’t return to the bondage of law-based systems. Rest in Him, and you will never be defiled.
Comments