Pass Not the Passover

Numbers 9:1-14

Numbers 9:1–14 LEB

1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, in the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying, 2 “Let the Israelites observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month at twilight you will perform it at its appointed time according to all its decrees; and according to all its stipulations you will observe it.” 4 So Moses spoke to the Israelites to observe the Passover. 5 And they observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight in the desert of Sinai. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, thus the Israelites did. 6 And it happened, men who were unclean by a dead person were not able to perform the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7 And those men said to him, “Although we are unclean by a dead person, why are we hindered from presenting the offering of Yahweh at its appointed time in the midst of the Israelites?” 8 Moses said to them, “Stay. I will hear what Yahweh commands to you.” 9 And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the Israelites, saying, ‘Each man that is unclean by a dead person or is on a far journey, you or your descendants, he will observe the Passover of Yahweh. 11 On the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they will observe it; they will eat it with unleavened bread and bitter plants. 12 They will leave none of it until morning, and they will not break a bone in it; they will observe it according to every decree of the Passover. 13 But the man who is clean and not on a journey, and he fails to observe the Passover, that person will be cut off from the people because he did not present the offering of Yahweh on its appointed time. That man will bear his guilt. 14 If an alien dwells with you he will observe the Passover of Yahweh according to the decree of the Passover and according to its stipulation; thus you will have one decree for you, for the alien and for the native of the land.’ ”

Pray

At It’s Appointed Time

Let the Israelites observe the Passover at it’s appointed time (v2). As the People of God were preparing to march towards the Promised Land. The children of Israel were once again commanded to observe the Passover at it’s appointed time.

The idea is that it is a necessity for them to observe the passover rather than postponing. The temptation is that when this giant move and great undertaking they should just postpone the celebration until they are settled in.

We can understand that temptation can we not? How often do we wonder about activities, celebrations, Funerals. Or something “smaller” Bible studies, fasting, meditation.

There always seems to be something “bigger” coming up. I like this reminder here. Take the time to celebrate what God has done for you. Even though he isn’t done with you and he is calling you to move in mighty ways.

It was important for them to remember what God had done for them. but also at they eat and drink it will bear witness that God will be the source of sustenance and nourishment for them on their journey. Journey to the Promised Land

And the impressiveness of this passage which we will see doesn’t always exist. They follow through with the commands of God.

Unclean Men

When it came time to have the passover there were some men that were not clean according to Jewish Law because they had been around dead body. Probably a funeral. They didn’t know what to do. At the first passover there wasn’t a problem but what now?

This will be an important ruling for the people because like a court case it will give a principle covering all like situations.

In their case they don’t get to just skip service. they have to keep the feast exactly a month later, with all due observance of the regulations.

Failure to observe the Passover at the appointed time either through indifference or carelessness, when neither uncleanness nor being on a journey was involved, was to be regarded as a punishable offense. The sentence referred to in verse 13 could mean either death or excommunication. If, however, we bear in mind the rigor of the New Testament interpretation of excommunication (cf. 1 Cor. 5:5; 11:30; 1 Tim. 1:20), the distinction between death and excommunication in this context may for practical purposes be an artificial one.

Sometimes we have to put off passover (Lord’s Supper)because we are not right with God. We are unclean. But hat doesn’t mean we don’t work to become clean so that we can sit with him.

The blood of the Slain Lamb

The Keeping the keeping of the Passover was a significant reminder that everything in Israel’s experience, as a people of God called to pilgrimage, depended and rested upon the mighty act of God on their behalf when He made bare His holy arm and plucked them out of the land of Egypt and the house of bond age.

Their very existence depended on what God had done for them. And so do us as Christians.

The Passover Pointed them to the Blood of the slain lamb and to the divine substitution that had rescued them from death. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:13)—their entrance on pilgrimage was made on this ground alone.

As I read this I cannot help but think of the slain lamb, whose blood covers me.

Christ is the Way, as He is also the Door, and here is the blood-sprinkled door of the new covenant by which if any man enter in he shall be saved.

Have you been Saved?

As the Passover reminded the people of God’s provision so it is with the Cross. The Cross is our source of supply as well as being the place where we begin in the Christian life. his is what Christ meant when He spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. A life rightly related to the message of the Cross is one that will always be well-nourished and sustained. There is always a sufficiency of supply, and no one who embarks on the Christian life will ever fail of food and provision on the way.

Are you supplied by Christ?

Next Steps

Shall the angel of death pass you by?

Who’s Your 1?

Bibliography

Calvin, Harmony, 1:475

Philip, James, and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Numbers. Vol. 4. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1987.

G. B. Gray, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Numbers, Interna tional Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1903)