A reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt

Numbers 9:1–23
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The record here in chapter 9 deals with the second Passover. The first was instituted in Egypt and recorded in Exodus 12. At the first Passover event, the Israelites were given the command to “observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance for ever” (Ex. 12:17). Because it was a memorial feast, its main point was to remind the Israelites of their great deliverance from Egypt’s bondage. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread together were an eight-day religious observance (Lev. 23:5,6) celebrating the Israelite’s escape from slavery in Egypt by God’s power. Think of this awesome event, where at least fifty thousand lambs were required.

God wanted all of His people to be eligible to partake in the soul searching events of the feast, and for the most part there were no major hindrances. But some men found themselves, at the time of the Passover, victims of an unfortunate circumstance. They had defiled themselves by contact with a dead body or entering the home of a person who had died (Lev. 19:28), and this prevented them from participating in the Passover meal. God did not adjust the requirements, but the standards of holiness were maintained. However, since it was the duty of all men to participate in the feast, God did allow the men to celebrate the Passover one month later.

We read about a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that guided and protected the Israelites as they traveled across the wilderness (vv. 15-22). Whenever the cloud stopped, the Israelites were to stop. The cloud and the fire were not just something that happened in nature, but they were the vehicle of God’s presence and the visible evidence of Him directing His people. The cloud was visible during the day and the fire could be seen at night. The principle was that of leadership and following. If the cloud moved, the Israelites must follow; if the cloud stopped the Israelites must stop (v. 17).

Application

Whenever I follow God’s guidance I know that I am where God wants me, whether I’m moving  or staying in one place. He has a purpose in placing me where I am right now.