Exo. 30:12, 15, 16
When you take the sum of the children of Israel according to their numbers, let each one give to YHWH an atonement for his soul…
This they shall give… half of a shekel shall be an offering to YHWH… to atone for your souls.
You shall take the silver of the atonements from the children of Israel and use it for the work of the Tent of Meeting… to atone for your souls.”
A prevailing teaching in Christendom is that atonement can only come from blood. And yet, what is taught here is that this is not the case. Four times in this passage, it is mentioned that a certain measurement of silver was used to make atonement.
As Moses was on the mountain receiving the Words of the Almighty, the people below quickly began to deviate from them. They made a golden calf, bowed down to it, offered slaughtered animals to it, and declared it to be the One who delivered them from Egypt. YHWH told Moses to go down to the people for they had “turned quickly from the Way which I have commanded them”. Exo. 32:8.
Moreover, YHWH told Moses that He would destroy this entire nation and instead build a new nation from him. Moses pleaded with YHWH on their behalf. 32:11-13.
“Why should You be angry with the people You have redeemed?”
“What will the Egyptians say?”
“Remember the promises You made with our fathers.”
“You swore to Yourself!”
YHWH listened to Moses’ prayer and changed His mind about destroying His people. 32:14. We are later told that this would be just one of the many instances in the desert where YHWH would forgive His people.
Num. 14:11, 13, 19, 20, 22
And YHWH said unto Moses, “How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be that they refuse to trust in me…”
And Moses said… “Pardon, I beseech You, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Your mercy, and as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”
And YHWH said, “I have pardoned according to your word…these ten times…”
Scripture is clear, however, that while atonement can be made for our sins, the guilty do not go unpunished. Exo. 20:5; Deu. 7:10; Exo. 34:7; Num. 14:18; 15:30-31; Heb. 10:26-29.
Not all of our fathers in the desert were guilty in this way. Two notable men, Caleb and Joshua—representing both kingdoms—were among the faithful remnant. Their hearts were fully set on YHWH. They did not worship the golden calf.
YHWH’s forgiveness is evident throughout the Scriptures.
Exo. 20:6; 34:6-7; Num. 14:18; Deu. 5:10; 7:9; 2 Ch. 30:9; Neh. 1:5; 9:17; Psa. 32:5; 51:1-3; 86:5; 103:8-10; Pro. 28:13; Isa. 1:18-19; 43:25; 44:22; 55:7; Jer. 3:12, 22; 36:3; Eze. 18:21-32; 33:14-16; Hos. 6:1; 14:2-4; Zec. 1:3/Mal. 3:7; Lam. 3:22; Dan. 9:4, 9; Mic. 7:18-19; Act. 2:38; 3:19; 8:22; 1 Jo. 1:9, etc.
His forgiveness, like His Sabbaths, applies to Israel and everyone who joins themselves to YHWH and His people.
Exo. 31:13, 16, 17
This passage makes it clear that the Sabbath is a sign between YHWH and the children of Israel forever. YHWH’s servant Isaiah further clarifies that resting on the Sabbath does not only apply to those of Jewish ancestry. YHWH’s Message for those who may be tempted to think this way is this:
Isa. 56:1-8
YHWH’s Messiah further clarified that this Message is not to be understood in any other way than it’s literal meaning. He quoted from this passage (recorded in Mat. 21:12-13; Mar. 11:15-17; & Luk. 19:45-46), identifying ‘My House’ (Isa. 56:7) with the Temple of His day. The “sons of the stranger” (Isa. 56:3, 6) and “all people” (Isa. 56:7) cannot be understood in any other way.