Numbers 9:1-14
The first Passover was celebrated in Egypt the night before they left. This is the first anniversary of that day. The Israelites were to celebrate that day and remember what the Lord had done for them. It was a supernatural provision from God leading to their redemption. They ate the Passover in their homes, with the door shut and behind the blood on the doorframe. The vacant homes with blood-stained doors testify to the God that redeems. When the Lord redeemed us, he left a blood-stained cross to testify to His redemption.
The Lord made provision for those who couldn't keep the Passover due to ritual defilement or on a long journey. They would keep the Passover on the 14th of the second month. This was to be maintained as an exception. The person who didn't take part in the Passover without one of these reasons would be cut-off. This was a memorial to the Lord's work in their life. To disregard it was disregard the Lord's redemption.
A stranger who dwelt among them as a Jew could take part in the Passover as long as they did it properly as the Jews had. There is one Passover, the same for all.
Numbers 9:15-23
The cloud was present by day and the pillar of fire by night. This was he visible presence of Yahweh among the people. It is almost shameful to read some of the notions people have come up with to explain this away as naturally caused by men. The cloud was moved by God or not moved by God, at His will, it had nothing to do with the will of the Israelites. When the cloud was taken up, they would journey. When the cloud came down, they camped.
© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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