Out of Bounds and Off the Rails

Text for discussion: Numbers 15.  

Surviving in the midst of the wilderness brings a struggle between life and death.  

A man is found breaking the Sabbath; the punishment is severe.  

In an age and context far removed, what lessons do we draw from this troubling situation?  

The hymn:  My Faith Looks Up to Thee (public domain).  

The art: The Jewish tabernacle and priesthood, 1874, by George Needham, from an old catalog.  Public domain.