AM Bible Study Group; May 5, 2010

Numbers 9:1-23

Theme: This passage describes the sort of obedience that needed to characterize the children of Israel in their journey to the promised land..

This passage is another example of how the book of Numbers doesn’t necessarily follow a chronological order. The events described in this passage relate to the time that Moses set up the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:17; see also Numbers 7:1; 9:1). It describes the ways that obedience to the Lord was to characterize the march of the people into the promised land. But more; it symbolizes how God works to first redeem His people by the blood of His Son, and then to constantly lead them on their way to His eternal home of rest for them.

I. INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE PASSOVER (vv. 1-14).

A. Basic instructions regarding the Passover (vv. 1-5). The details of the Passover were given in Exodus 12:1-28, and also in Leviticus 23:4-8. The first time that it was celebrated was as the people were leaving Egypt; and in that case, its meaning and significance was very real to the people. This passage describes how the people were to continue the commemoration of the Passover—now as an act of remembrance. The Passover is a picture of the sacrifice of Jesus for us (John 1:29; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Even in the time of the journey through the wilderness, the commemoration was to be kept (see 1 Corinthians 11:26).

B. Special provisions regarding a Second Passover (vv. 6-12). A problem arose. Some men, who had become defiled by contact with a dead body (see Leviticus 21:1-4), were not able to commemorate the Passover on the appointed day. What were they to do? Note two things about this. First, note that the problem wasn’t simply resolved by the wisdom of man. Moses called for the men to wait until he received instructions from the Lord. We should always consult God in our problems and seek the leading of His word. Second, note the grace of God; and how He provided a second Passover for those who—because of ceremonial defilement—were unable to observe it on its prescribed date. God is a God who leads His people when they seek His will; and whose will for them is always mercifully.

C. Faithful observance of the Passover (vv. 13-14). But two other things need to be noted. First, the only two provisions made for postponing the observance of Passover was in the case of defilement or in the case of unavoidable travel. If anyone were to simply disregard the appointed date, they were to be “cut off” from among the people—which most likely meant death. Second, note that even the stranger who dwelt among them (that is, a resident alien) was to observe the Passover according to the same laws as everyone else. An allowance for the legitimate inability to perform God’s will in certain cases didn’t mean that in genuine obedience in normal circumstances was to be set aside.

II. OBEDIENCE UNDER THE CLOUD (vv. 15-23).

A. The constant presence of the cloud (vv. 15-16). Here, we’re told of how the cloud that defended the people at the time of the Exodus (Exodus 14:19-20), and that rested on the Tabernacle at the time of its construction (Exodus 40:34-38), would continue to lead them throughout their journeys. We’re told here of how its presence was constant—a picture of God’s constant presence and leading of His people.

B. The leading provided by the cloud (vv. 17-18). The people of Israel were to look to the leading of the cloud for where to go next. They were not to set out and march on their own initiative, but rather to wait on the leading of the Lord that was provided by the cloud. Note how the leading of the cloud is associated with ‘the command of the Lord’.

C. ‘Keeping the charge’ under the cloud (vv. 19-23). If the cloud remained, the people were to remain. If it moved, they were to move. For as long as the cloud remained, they were to remain; and as soon as the cloud moved, they were to move. It almost seems that this passage goes out of its way to express this over and over—which is a reminder to us of how much we need to pay close attention to the leading of the Lord in our own lives. We need to wait until His call to go forward; and to keep going until He calls us to stop. Thus, God lead them through the wilderness to His place of rest for them. May we learn—like them—to “keep the charge of the Lord”!

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Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

William Williams and John Hughes

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
Be thou still my strength and shield;
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.

(Public Domain)