Numbers 9:1-23
Q.1. What further instructions did God give so that His people could celebrate the Passover Feast? – (Num.9:1-14)
In the second year following Israel’s release from Egypt on their wilderness journeys, God reminded Moses that His people were to observe the Passover Feast (Num.9:1-5 c.f. Lev.23:1-8). However, some were unclean because of a death in the family, so were disqualified from partaking. They asked Moses to rule on this. He in turn inquired of the Lord (Num.9:6-8). God told Moses to make it clear that a person who neglected to take the normal Passover would be cut off from Israel and bear his guilt. There was to be no slackness in keeping the Feasts. However, provision was made for those disqualified by uncleanness or those on a distant journey (Num.9:9-13). The Lord also encouraged them to include foreigners and travellers in their midst to share in the Passover celebrations (Num.9:14). Paul would later warn regarding the Lord’s Supper – 27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats, and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep (c.f. 1 Cor.11:27-30). To benefit from these solemn ordinances, our hearts must be right.
Q.2. Who decided when and where Israel was to travel on the wilderness journeys? – (Num.9:15-23)
The Lord led and protected His people in an extraordinary way with His Presence over the Tabernacle – … the cloud would cover it by day and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, they would camp. At the command of the Lord the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained in the camp (Num.9:16-18). The book of Numbers detailed where the tribes and Levites were to be located (see the diagram in Wk.34 Yr.3). Even the children knew where their tribe could be found relative to the Tabernacle regardless of the new terrain in which they settled. Why they moved from one day to the next or stayed for many days or just a few days we were not told (Num.9:19-22). The movements of Israel were directed entirely by God (Num.9:18-23). We learn through the prophets later that in those early days of nationhood, God was protecting them from their enemies, providing for their needs, and keeping them from diseases and plagues.