Read Numbers 9
The Passover
9 The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, 2 “Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 3 Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations.”
4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5 and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.
6 But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean on account of a dead body. So they came to Moses and Aaron that same day 7 and said to Moses, “We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the Lord’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”
8 Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”
9 Then the Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, 11 but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. 13 But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people for not presenting the Lord’s offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.
14 “‘A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the Lord’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’”
The Cloud Above the Tabernacle
15 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remainedin camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
Go Deeper
When the next steps are unclear, our human tendency is toward one of two responses: give up and do nothing or surge ahead doing what we think is best. Both of these choices rely on our limited understanding, and we fail to experience God’s best. Numbers 9 demonstrates alternatives that offer better solutions: ask God and wait for His guidance.
In the first part of the chapter, God directs the Israelites to celebrate the Passover at a specific time according to His directions. However, some group members could not participate because they were “unclean.” They still wanted to follow God’s commands but they were in a situation with conflicting rules, so Moses asked God and God provided a way. It would have been easier just to say, “We’ll catch the Passover next year,” or participate anyway, but they did what we should do: they asked God for guidance. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
In the second section of the chapter, God’s Spirit in the form of a cloud constantly directs the Israelites in their journey. As humans, we like to have plans. Most of us want to know where we’re going, what we’re doing, how long it will take, how to prepare, etc. God has plans, too, yet we don’t always know them, and therein lies the rub. In the absence of clear long-term plans from God, we tend to take matters into our own hands.
The Israelites would have liked to know the plans, too, but God only provided the guidance they needed at the time they needed it. God does the same for us through the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 assures us, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” As Christians, we can trust that the Holy Spirit – the same Spirit that led the Israelites – will lead us. It will tell us when to stop and when to go when we listen and obey.
Rather than trusting in ourselves with uncertain outcomes, we can experience God’s best when we ask God for guidance and follow the Spirit’s lead.
Questions
- When the next steps are unclear, do you tend to give up or surge ahead?
- What situation have you faced recently or are currently facing where the next steps are unclear?
- Have you asked God for guidance and listened to the Holy Spirit’s lead at some point in the past week? If not, do so now. If you have, what was the direction provided?
Keep Digging
Being “unclean” did not mean the Israelites had sinned. Learn more about this concept in this article from GotQuestions.org.
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8 thoughts on “Numbers 9”
Thanks for this devotional. The Holy spirit is referred to as an “it” in the last line of the fourth paragraph. Aren’t we only supposed to refer to Him as a “He”, not an “it”? For the sake of reverence.
Thank you for all you do!
I have a friend who has had this “pillar of light” showing her the way, lately. She followed a “command” from God, to do something she wasnt sure she was prepared to do. God ask her and her family to step out in faith and they did. God has made every detail fall into place for this family. There is no doubt that they are in a “pillar of light”. If we sincerly want to do the will of God, we must keep our eyes open and be alert at all times. God’s Holy Spirit, through the Word, gives us instructions for most everyday life. There are precepts, principles, and promises that guide us. He will guide on even the most perplexing, life situation, if we ask and listen, to follow His will.
God You are so amazing. To see, understand,and let You show me the way is scary. When I see You direct my friends path it is as if I can see that “pillar of light”. God thank You for helping her faith and showing me that You are in the details. God I praise You, give You honor and glory for this family’s journey and getting to help and stand along side. God thank You for continuing to direct their path and mine as well with Your “pillar of light”. God today in these minutes may Your light so shine forth, in and through me, to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. God continue to help me bear with others and forgive. LET, (me doing the letting) the peace of Christ rule in my heart. And whatever I do, whether in word or deed, help me to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You, God the Father through Your son, in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A cloud and a fire were God’s divine GPS for leading his people, however as believers we have something far greater, the Holy Spirit, who indwells, convicts of sin, guides in truth, empowers us to live a Christ-like life, and produce spiritual fruit.
8 “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”
This chapter contains a lot about waiting for God’s direction. I’m not good at waiting!
The oft-used saying is “Don’t just sit there . . . do something!” However the Children of Israel were learning to “Don’t just do something . . . sit there!”. I need to learn to do likewise!
Erik I love that!
I grew up with this mantra.” Don’t just sit there . . . do something!”
James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
If only I had learned this scripture earlier in life.
James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
This chapter was a great reminder to come to God and ask him for guidance, then WAIT, rather than do things impulsively on my own.
God’s way is not our way, neither are our ways his, therefore we should trust in him and his sovereignty and plans for he is doing for his glory and our good!
I love how this is a great example of how we don’t know God’s timing sometimes the short season sometimes they’re super long season, but our job is to obey and the Israelites did that really well. Also, too, I love how Moses goes straight to God to figure out any confusion.
Man, I always get a prayer first and surrender and obey God times will be tough, but I will always trust