End of

Numbers Chapter 9







 

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GiGi's Numbers Chapter 9 comment on 4/23/2023, 10:37pm...

NUMBER CH. 9 --GOD DIRECTS OUR PATHS

The remainder of this chapter is about the resting and moving on of the Israelites in the wilderness. First of all, when the tabernacle was raised, YHWH's Presence rested upon it. He delt among them as He promised Moses when Moses interceded for the people when they were stubborn and stiff-necked. The rest of the chapter repeatedly tells of how the people would remain and rest when the Presence of God rested upon the tabernacle, and then when the Presence lifted, they knew that they would be moving on. They would then prepare for continue their journey to the promised land. The Lord would lead them in the pillar of fire by night and cloud by day. The people went whatever way the pillar went.

God's presence was their guide and authority and things went well for them as they obeyed YHWH. They did not veer to the right of left, nor turn around to go back, nor ran ahead to go on their own. They obeyed YHWH in following His lead and they came closer and closer to the promised land.

It is the same with us, God is our leader, our guide and authority. He is with us and indwells us (unlike the Israelites) and will never forsake us or leave us. He is faithful even when we are unfaithful (2 Tim. 2:13). We are to follow EVERYTHING, but we often fail and go out on our own or in a direction He has not led us. thankfully we can repent and confess. He will strengthen us.

God will lead us in ways to bless us because we need to be blessed. He will lead us in ways that try us because our faith needs to be tested and matured. He will lead us in times and places of rest, because we need to slow down and rest in Him. He will press us firmly to go in a way He has determined for us because we need to accomplish something for someone else or grow in obedience, just as Jesus was tempted and tested , enduring trials and painful suffering leading to death because we were in need of redemption. He did it for us. He is our Sovereign without equal.

 


GiGi's Numbers Chapter 9 comment on 4/23/2023, 10:05pm...

NUMBERS CHAPTER 9

It had been a year since the Israelites came to Mt. Sinai. Now it was time to celebrate the Passover in the way that YHWH showed Moses. This feast was spoken of in Exodus 12 when they had come from fleeing Egypt to what would be the first month of their year. The Passover is the first feast of their year. It is celebrated on the 14th day of Nissan (either in March or April). The Israelites had celebrated it in Egypt when the last plague, the death of the firstborn was come upon Egypt. The Israelites did all that God had instructed them to do and were spared from this plague due to their obedience of putting the blood of the sacrificed lamb around their doorframe. Then when they were away from Egypt and the early spring month began they celebrated their second Passover according to how Moses instructed them.

Now they were about to leave from Mt. Sinai and it was once again the month of Nissan and the beginning of their second full year in the wilderness. They prepared to celebrate the Passover again. There were two men who had become unclean by having contact with a dead person. They, wisely, went to Moses concerning their fitness to participate in the Passover with their family and the whole camp. Normally, they would not be able to participate in worship until they had satisfied the the conditions for re-entry into the congregation. But this time, Moses consulted God on their behalf, since this was a new situation. YHWH told Moses that the men did not have to be ceremonial clean to celebrate the Passover, but were to do so with their family and community.

When Jesus was sacrificed as our Passover Lamb, his disciples, nor any of us needed to get "cleaned up" in order for Him to sacrifice for us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We were crucified with Him, even though we were unclean.

We all participated in this Passover with Jesus. He was our sacrifice and our sins were "passed over" in Him. How wonderful.

cont. to part 2

 


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