Numbers 9: Observing God's Instructions and Guidance
And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.
In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the Lord in his appointed season among the children of Israel?
And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the Lord.
The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the Lord; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not.
And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed.
And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
Numbers 9 details the observance of the Passover and the guidance of the cloud, highlighting God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of God's provision, grace, and the need for precise adherence to His instructions.
The Second Passover
God commands the Israelites to observe the Passover in its appointed time in the first month of the second year after the Exodus (Numbers 9:1-5). This reiterates the significance of the Passover, which commemorated the Lord's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. The Passover wasn't just a historical event; it was a continuing act of remembrance and rededication. Tony Evans points out that celebrating it again in the first month of the nation's second year out from Egypt (9:1) was particularly fitting.
Provision for the Unclean
A problem arises: some Israelites are unable to participate in the Passover due to contact with a dead body, which rendered them ceremonially unclean (Numbers 9:6). They inquire about their exclusion, demonstrating a desire to participate in the Lord's offering. Moses, lacking precedent, seeks divine guidance.
God's response is gracious. He provides an ordinance allowing those who were unclean or far away to observe the Passover a month later, on the fourteenth day of the second month (Numbers 9:9-11). This emphasizes God's mercy and his willingness to accommodate those who earnestly seek to follow Him, even when faced with unforeseen circumstances. They are still required to keep all the regulations associated with the Passover.
Consequences of Neglect and Inclusion of the Alien
God addresses two further cases that Moses didn't anticipate (Numbers 9:12-14). First, individuals who willfully neglect to observe the Passover are to be cut off from their people, bearing the consequences of their sin (Numbers 9:13). This highlights the seriousness of disregarding God's commands. Interestingly, Evans draws a parallel to the New Testament, noting that similar mistreatment of the Lord's Supper by the Corinthians resulted in sickness or death (see 1 Corinthians 11:28-30).
Second, God allows aliens residing among the Israelites to participate in the Passover if they adhere to its statutes and ordinances (Numbers 9:14). This demonstrates God's inclusive nature and His willingness to extend His grace to all who seek Him, regardless of their origin. Those who wanted to become followers of the Lord were to be given the same privilege as native Israelites.
Guidance by the Cloud
The chapter concludes with a description of God's visible guidance through the cloud that covered the tabernacle (Numbers 9:15-23). The Israelites relied on the cloud to direct their movements in the wilderness. When the cloud lifted, they journeyed; when it settled, they camped. This constant and reliable guidance served as an unmistakable divine GPS, ensuring they remained on the path God had ordained for them. Moses records that the people carried out the LORD’s requirement and did not set out (9:19) until he told them to move.
Lessons for Today
Numbers 9 provides several valuable lessons for believers today:
- The Importance of Remembrance: The Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the need to continually remember His saving acts.
- God's Grace and Provision: God's provision for those who were unable to observe the Passover at the appointed time demonstrates His grace and willingness to meet us where we are.
- The Seriousness of Obedience: The consequences for neglecting the Passover highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands.
- Inclusivity: God's acceptance of aliens who desired to participate in the Passover reveals His inclusive nature and His desire for all people to come to Him.
- Trusting God's Guidance: The cloud's guidance reminds us to trust in God's direction in our lives, even when we don't fully understand His plans.
While the chapter begins with a display of obedience, Tony Evans notes that this is a rare instance in the book of Numbers. The Israelites would soon fall into grumbling and disobedience. This contrast makes the initial obedience in Numbers 9 all the more significant, highlighting the potential for faithfulness and the consequences of straying from God's path.
And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.
In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the Lord in his appointed season among the children of Israel?
And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the Lord.
The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the Lord; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not.
And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed.
And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
Numbers 9 details the observance of the Passover and the guidance of the cloud, highlighting God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of God's provision, grace, and the need for precise adherence to His instructions.
The Second Passover
God commands the Israelites to observe the Passover in its appointed time in the first month of the second year after the Exodus (Numbers 9:1-5). This reiterates the significance of the Passover, which commemorated the Lord's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. The Passover wasn't just a historical event; it was a continuing act of remembrance and rededication. Tony Evans points out that celebrating it again in the first month of the nation's second year out from Egypt (9:1) was particularly fitting.
Provision for the Unclean
A problem arises: some Israelites are unable to participate in the Passover due to contact with a dead body, which rendered them ceremonially unclean (Numbers 9:6). They inquire about their exclusion, demonstrating a desire to participate in the Lord's offering. Moses, lacking precedent, seeks divine guidance.
God's response is gracious. He provides an ordinance allowing those who were unclean or far away to observe the Passover a month later, on the fourteenth day of the second month (Numbers 9:9-11). This emphasizes God's mercy and his willingness to accommodate those who earnestly seek to follow Him, even when faced with unforeseen circumstances. They are still required to keep all the regulations associated with the Passover.
Consequences of Neglect and Inclusion of the Alien
God addresses two further cases that Moses didn't anticipate (Numbers 9:12-14). First, individuals who willfully neglect to observe the Passover are to be cut off from their people, bearing the consequences of their sin (Numbers 9:13). This highlights the seriousness of disregarding God's commands. Interestingly, Evans draws a parallel to the New Testament, noting that similar mistreatment of the Lord's Supper by the Corinthians resulted in sickness or death (see 1 Corinthians 11:28-30).
Second, God allows aliens residing among the Israelites to participate in the Passover if they adhere to its statutes and ordinances (Numbers 9:14). This demonstrates God's inclusive nature and His willingness to extend His grace to all who seek Him, regardless of their origin. Those who wanted to become followers of the Lord were to be given the same privilege as native Israelites.
Guidance by the Cloud
The chapter concludes with a description of God's visible guidance through the cloud that covered the tabernacle (Numbers 9:15-23). The Israelites relied on the cloud to direct their movements in the wilderness. When the cloud lifted, they journeyed; when it settled, they camped. This constant and reliable guidance served as an unmistakable divine GPS, ensuring they remained on the path God had ordained for them. Moses records that the people carried out the LORD’s requirement and did not set out (9:19) until he told them to move.
Lessons for Today
Numbers 9 provides several valuable lessons for believers today:
- The Importance of Remembrance: The Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the need to continually remember His saving acts.
- God's Grace and Provision: God's provision for those who were unable to observe the Passover at the appointed time demonstrates His grace and willingness to meet us where we are.
- The Seriousness of Obedience: The consequences for neglecting the Passover highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands.
- Inclusivity: God's acceptance of aliens who desired to participate in the Passover reveals His inclusive nature and His desire for all people to come to Him.
- Trusting God's Guidance: The cloud's guidance reminds us to trust in God's direction in our lives, even when we don't fully understand His plans.
While the chapter begins with a display of obedience, Tony Evans notes that this is a rare instance in the book of Numbers. The Israelites would soon fall into grumbling and disobedience. This contrast makes the initial obedience in Numbers 9 all the more significant, highlighting the potential for faithfulness and the consequences of straying from God's path.