Definition: And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 18:32. It’s a really important rule about how we should treat sacred objects and spaces in the Bible. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us to be incredibly careful not to damage or disrespect anything that God has designated as holy. Think of it like this: We have a responsibility to protect something precious and important to God. Let's unpack the parts: “And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it…” – This means we shouldn’t be troubled or upset by the existence of anything related to the sacred things. It’s about avoiding negative thoughts or feelings caused by the object itself. “…when ye have heaved from it the best of it…” – “Heaved” is a tricky word. It means to move something very carefully and deliberately, especially when it's important. Think of lifting a precious artifact – you wouldn’t just carelessly toss it. This suggests we need to be gentle and respectful. “…neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel…” – "Holy things" refers to specific places or objects that God has designated as sacred, like the Tabernacle (a portable temple) and the Ark of the Covenant. “Pollute” means to dirty or desecrate something. This is a very serious warning! “…lest ye die.” - This is the most important part – it’s saying that if we don't take good care, we risk punishment or even death. It’s not about physical danger, but spiritual consequences of disrespecting God’s gifts. In short: The verse urges us to treat sacred things with reverence and protect them from damage, as doing so will prevent us from being troubled by our thoughts and feelings about them. It's a reminder that we are entrusted with something precious and must handle it with care. Why is this important? This passage highlights God’s holiness and the importance of respecting His gifts. It emphasizes that God wants his people to be safe and protected, and that disrespecting these things can have serious consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse in more detail? Give an example of how this principle might apply to everyday life?