Números 9
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 9
Wiersbe - The code name for the enterprise was “Operation Overlord.” The more popular name was “D-Day”—June 6, 1943, when the combined Allied forces landed on “Omaha Beach” and signaled the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. It was the largest assembly of military personnel and materiel in the history of warfare. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote, “The Allied forces of soldiers, sailors, aviators and supporting services amounted to 2.8 million men in England.” Moses was about to launch his own “Operation Overlord,” and his greatest desire was that Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts, truly be Lord over the whole enterprise. More than 2 million Jews were anticipating entering Canaan, conquering the inhabitants, claiming the land, and enjoying their promised inheritance. But before all of this could happen, Moses had to organize this assembly of former slaves who had been enjoying their freedom for only a year. It wasn’t an easy task. His preparation for conquest involved four stages: celebrating the Passover (Nu 9:1–14) (ED: NOTE THIS ACTUALLY PRECEDED THE NUMBERING), numbering the soldiers (Numbers 1), organizing the tribes (chap. 2), and assigning the priestly duties (chaps. 3–4). (Be Counted) NET Note - The chapter has just the two sections, the observance of the Passover (vv. 1–14) and the cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness (vv. 15–23). It must be remembered that the material in Nu 9:7–9 is chronologically earlier than Nu 9:1–6, as the notices in the text will make clear. The two main discussions here are the last major issues to be reiterated before dealing with the commencement of the journey. Let's quickly review the things that occurred preceding leaving Mount Sinai for the Promised Land... Children of Israel left Egypt; accepted a conditional covenant w/God rested near Sinai (full year). took a census; organized an army; organized their priests; purified their camp; dedicated certain people & offerings now are ready to celebrate their 1st Passover since Egypt. Thus the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying - They were in the wilderness of Sinai but still camped at Mount Sinai. Note that the events of this chapter in the first month of the second year preceded the beginning of the census described in Numbers 1:1+ which took place " on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt." Merrill - God gave Moses this regulation a month before the events with which this book opened (9:1; cf. 1:1) to prepare the people for their first Passover outside of Egypt. (CBC) Gilbrant - The first month of the second year. These were busy times. The Tabernacle was set up on the 1st day of the first month (Exo. 40:2). Moses began the organization of the army on the 1st day of the second month (Num. 1:1). The first Passover after leaving Egypt was celebrated on the 14th day of the first month (Num. 9:3). The nation left Sinai on the 20th day of the second month of that second year (Num. 10:11). Obviously, the first chapters of Numbers (and probably some of the later chapters also) are not in chronological order. Wiersbe - The events recorded in Numbers 1–6 were preceded by those described in Numbers 7:1–9:15. We are now in the second year of Israel’s national history (Nu 1:1; 9:1). The tabernacle was erected on the first day of the first month (Ex. 40:2, Ex 40:17 = "Now in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected."). The twelve tribal leaders began to bring their gifts on that day (Nu 7:1), a procedure that lasted twelve days (Nu 7:78). On the thirteenth day, the Levites were consecrated (Nu. 8), and on the fourteenth day, the Jews celebrated Passover (Nu 9:1–14). (Ibid) NET Note - This verse indicates that a full year had passed since the exodus and the original Passover; now a second ruling on the Passover is included at the beginning of the second year. This would have occurred immediately after the consecration of the tabernacle, in the month before the census at Sinai. Ryrie on Nu 9:1-8 These instructions were given just after the completion of the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:17) and before the census of Num. 1:2. Ronald Allen summarizes The chronology of the first two months of the second year after the Exodus is as follows: The setting up of the tabernacle (Nu 7:1) was declared to be completed on the first day of the first month of the second year (Ex 40:2). It was on this day that the cloud covered the tabernacle, as we will see later in this chapter (Nu 9:15–23). Then, in response to the symbol of God’s presence over the completed tabernacle, it was also on that day that the first of the offerings from the twelve leaders of the tribes was given to the Lord (Nu 7:3–17). The presentation of the gifts from each tribe extended until the twelfth day of the first month. The setting apart of the Levites (Nu 8:26) would have followed immediately after the twelve days of gifts, perhaps on the thirteenth day of the month. It seems unlikely that the setting apart of the Levites would have been on the same day as the last of the tribal gifts; to have another significant action on that day would have minimized the importance of the gifts of Ahira of Naphtali (Nu 7:78–83). The second Passover was celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month (Nu 9:5). The census began on the first day of the second month (Nu 1:1) Those who were ceremonially unclean at the time of the second Passover were permitted to celebrate it on the fourteenth day of the second month (Nu 9:11). Then the cloud lifted and the march from Sinai began on the twentieth day of the second month (Nu 10:11). (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Numbers 9:2 "Now, let the sons of Israel observe the Passover at its appointed time. observe: Ex 12:1-20 his appointed: Nu 28:16 Ex 12:6,14 Lev 23:5 De 16:1,2 Jos 5:10 2Ch 35:1 Ezr 6:19 Mk 14:12 Lu 22:7 1Co 5:7,8 THE SECOND PASSOVER Recall that the first Passover was held in Egypt (cf Ex 12+) and was celebrated in haste and this Passover is one year later. Sadly, this would be the last Passover Israel would celebrate for the next 38 years until Joshua 5:10 because of God's judgment in Numbers 14. In fact this second Passover was the last Passover all of the sons of Israel would ever celebrate, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb! When Joshua led the new generation into Canaan, the second generation males received circumcision, the sign of the covenant (they had not been circumcised) and God restored His people into His good favor (Josh. 5:2–9) giving them grace to begin again and to celebrate Passover (Joshua 5:10), which was only the third Passover in 40 years! . Irving Jensen - The words of the Lord, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exod. 12:13), may not have been put to music in that day, but they were surely spoken with an authority and impact whose ring will continue to reverberate throughout the halls of time and into the boundless spaces of eternity. At that first Passover event, the Israelites were given the command to “observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance for ever” (Exod. 12:17). The memorial Passover was to be an annual feast, the first ceremony of which was to fall on the fourteenth day of the first month, at even (Exod. 12:18). Because it was a memorial feast, its main point was to remind the Israelites of their great deliverance from Egypt’s bondage. No wonder, then, that it becomes a meaningful point of record in Numbers. For the people had been so delivered. Would they now remember the Lord and keep the feast? Currid - Passover is the first festival celebrated within the organized worship structure of Israel; that is appropriate because it symbolizes redemption and deliverance from Egypt, and the fact that the people now belong to Yahweh alone (Exod. 12:26–27). "Now, let the sons of Israel observe the Passover at its appointed time - Hebrew literally = “Let the children of Israel make or do the passover.” Passover commemorated God's deliverance of His people from Egypt and reminded them that as a result they belonged to Him. The appointed time - That is, on the fourteenth day of the first month, in memory of their signal deliverance from Egypt, as also of their exemption from the desolating judgment which befell the first-born of that country. (Bush) Wiersbe - This feast was the constant reminder that their redemption depended on the blood of the lamb and the power of God. Every blessing they experienced came through the blood, even as with the church today (Eph. 1:3ff). (WEOOT) Wiersbe - It was only fitting that the Israelites began their second year of freedom by commemorating the awesome night when God delivered them from Egyptian bondage, “A night of solemn observance to the Lord” (Ex. 12:42, NKJV). In looking back, the people would appreciate what God had done for them, and they could teach their children the significance of Israel’s “independence day” (Ex. 12:26–28; 13:8–16). Unless parents remind their children of what the Lord has done, it won’t be long before the next generation will drift from the faith (Deut. 6:1–9; see 2 Tim. 2:2). (Be Counted) Passover (06453) (pesach/pesah) is a masculine noun thought by some writers (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon) to have its origin from pacach/pasah which apparently means to pass over; to spare (Ex 12:13, 23, 27+ - "Jehovah will pass" = pasah). Pesach/pesah virtually always refers to the Passover, either the feast or the Passover animal. Note that the Passover is combined with the Feast of Unleavened Bread by Luke who writes "the Feast of Unleavened Bread…is called the Passover, was approaching." (Lk 22:1+) Rooker adds that "These two ceremonies were apparently combined at the beginning, for the Passover lamb was to be eaten with unleavened bread (Ex 12:8+)." (New American Commentary). NET Note adds that "The word פֶּסַח (pesakh)—here in pause and with the article—has become the technical name for the spring festival of Israel. In Ex 12 the name is explained by the use of the verb “to pass over” (עָבַר, ’avar), indicating that the angel of death would pass over the house with the blood applied. Many scholarly attempts have been made to supply the etymology of the word, but none has been compelling enough to be accepted by a large number of biblical scholars. All uses of pesach in Numbers - Num. 9:2; Num. 9:4; Num. 9:5; Num. 9:6; Num. 9:10; Num. 9:12; Num. 9:13; Num. 9:14; Num. 28:16; Num. 33:3 Appointed time (04150) moed from the verb ya'ad meaning to appoint or fix) can refer to either a time or place of meeting (eg, place in "tent of meeting"). In the present context moed refers not to an appointed place, but rather to an appointed time (Ex 12:6, 14; Lev 23:5). Related Resources: How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the Jewish feasts? Yeshua and the Feast of Unleavened Bread Passover - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (see intro for etymology) Feasts of Israel - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary - scroll down for "Passover" Passover - Wikipedia American Tract Society Passover Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Passover Baker Evangelical Dictionary Passover Easton's Bible Dictionary Passover Fausset Bible Dictionary Passover Holman Bible Dictionary Passover Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Passover Passover (I.) Passover (Ii. in Relation to Lord's Supper) What is Passover? What is the Passover Lamb? How is Jesus our Passover Lamb? If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? Should Christians celebrate Passover? What is the meaning and importance of the Last Supper? Numbers 9:3 "On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall observe it at its appointed time; you shall observe it according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances." the fourteenth: 2Ch 30:2,15 at twilight: :, Ex 12:6 Heb 9:26 according to all the rites: Nu 9:11,12 THE APPOINTED TIME FOR THE PASSOVER On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall observe it at its appointed time; you shall observe it according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances - The Passover took place in the month of Aviv, the first month of the year (Ex 12:2+) on the fourteenth day of this month. The lamb was slaughtered, roasted and eaten that same night (Ex 12:5–8+). On statutes and ordinances see Ex 12:1–49, Ex 34:25; Lev 23:5; Dt 16:1–8. Wenham points out "Exactly how the regulations in Exodus 12 were carried out is not stated: possibly the blood was smeared on the tents instead of on the lintels and doorposts." Twilight (also in Nu 9:5, 11) Hebrew literally = "between the two evenings. This describes the end of one day and the beginning of the next. This is why the celebration of Sabbath days began in the evening, and would last from "sunset to sunset" Allen has an interesting note on twilight - The official determination of the precise moment of twilight in Jewish tradition became that point where one could no longer distinguish between a white or a black thread when standing outside in the growing darkness. (EBC) NET Note - The word חֹק (khoq) is a binding statute, something engraved and monumental. The word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) means “judgment, decision,” but with a more general idea of “custom” at its core. The verse is making it very clear that the Passover had to follow the custom and form that was legislated in Egypt. Numbers 9:4 So Moses told the sons of Israel to observe the Passover. So Moses told the sons of Israel to observe the Passover. Passover (06453) see notes on pesach/pesah Numbers 9:5 They observed the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did. They observed: Jos 5:10 according: Nu 8:20 29:40 Ge 6:22 7:5 Ex 39:32,42 Dt 1:3 Dt 4:5 Mt 28:20 Joh 15:14 Ac 26:19 Heb 3:5 11:8 Related Passage (Ex 12:18+) In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. They observed the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did - Notice the emphasis on the obedience of the sons of Israel. Allen adds "Verse 5 is a report of compliance—yet another example of the obedience of Israel to the demands of the Lord in these early chapters of Numbers. Reports such as this assure us that things were as they should have been. Yet these same reports ill-prepare us for the dreadful rebellion of Israel at Kadesh, described in the following chapters." Believer's Study Bible - Having dedicated the altar and consecrated the Levites, Israel was ready for this second observance of the Passover (cf. Ex. 12). Wiersbe - Think of the thousands of lambs that were slain so that the people might obey God! (ED: SOME ESTIMATE IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN UP TO 50,000 LAMBS TO ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE). Think of the Lamb of God who died for the whole world (John 1:29+)! (WWBC) Passover (06453) see notes on pesach/pesah Numbers 9:6 But there were some men who were unclean because of the dead person, so that they could not observe Passover on that day; so they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. who were unclean: Nu 5:2 6:6,7 19:11,16,18 Lev 21:11 Joh 18:28 they came: Nu 15:33 27:2,5 Ex 18:15,19,26 Lev 24:11 DEFILEMENT PREVENTED CELEBRATION OF PASSOVER But - Term of contrast. Not all could observe the Passover. Note that this passage describes a new stipulation not included in the instructions in Ex 12:1-49. There were some men who were unclean because of the dead person, so that they could not observe Passover on that day; so they came before Moses and Aaron on that day - Clearly they desired to celebrate the Passover. As Wenham says " If someone ate sacrificial meat when he was unclean, he might be cut off (Lev. 7:19–21). There is no mention of the danger of uncleanness in Exodus 12, but, given all the regulations set out in Leviticus 11–15, such a concern was now appropriate." (TOTC-Nu) NIVSB - Since death was the antithesis of life, contact with death resulted in ritual impurity and made all persons unfit for entering sacred space and taking part in the life of the community—until they were purified (Nu19:11–13; compare Nu 6:6–12+). Believer's Study Bible - (vv. 6-13) If someone were ceremonially unclean or on a journey (v. 13) at the time of the Passover, they were allowed to celebrate it one month later (v. 11). Such a supplementary Passover was held during the last week of Israel's stay at Sinai (cf. 10:11), after the census (1:1, 2). See chart, "Chronology of Israel in the Pentateuch," Ex. 40:17. Unclean (02931)(tame) describes that which is (ceremonially) defiled or impure, ritually impure and unfit for use or consumption. It describes that which is not cleansed in a ceremonial sense and that which must be abstained from according to the Levitical law, lest impurity be contracted. Uses in Numbers - Num. 5:2; Num. 9:6; Num. 9:7; Num. 9:10; Num. 18:15; Num. 19:13; Num. 19:15; Num. 19:17; Num. 19:19; Num. 19:20; Num. 19:22; The Septuagint usually uses akathartos and pertains to that which may not come into contact with that which is holy and set apart. In the Septuagint akathartos refers almost universally to ceremonial uncleanness or to whatever (or whomever) is ritually defiled . Passover (06453) see notes on pesach/pesah Ronald Allen helps our modern minds grasp the significance of the OT concepts of clean and unclean which are foreign to our culture... The concept of ritual impurity is so foreign to modern thinking as to be nearly unintelligible to most readers. The idea of being “unclean” is not simply that of being physically soiled, of course; though that which is dirty is a physical presentment of what is “unclean.” The best way to think of the notion of “uncleanness” is as a teaching device to remind the people of Israel of the holiness of God. The idea that any person at all might have the effrontery to dare to approach the presence of the Lord is audacious in itself. Only by his grace may anyone come before him to worship. By developing a concept of ritual purity, an external symbol, the notion of internal purity might be presented. Ever in the Bible the notions of external symbols are representative of internal realities. Only the obdurate miss the point here. In our Lord’s confrontation with the Pharisees, the principal battle was not over the essential demands of God but on the tendencies the Pharisees had in focusing on external compliance without due attention to internal meaning. In our passage the recognition of ceremonial uncleanness on the part of some people and their consequent inability to participate in the activities of celebrative worship in the Passover speaks of their high level of compliance to the dictates of Torah and the keen desire they had to worship the Lord in spirit and truth (see John 4:24). (EBC) Irving Jensen points out that "The date of this celebration of the Passover at Mount Sinai, the fourteenth day of the first month, was prior to the date of the opening words of the book of Numbers, the first day of the second month. Why, then, was the recording of this Passover delayed until this point in Numbers? The answer is to be found in the circumstances around the “little Passover” described in Nu 9:6–14. The main Passover was the great annual feast. Because it was the people’s old covenant gospel of the grace of God speaking to them, through the main symbol of the shed blood, of the Lord’s gracious deliverance, it was a fitting national celebration on the eve of departure on the journey from Sinai to Canaan. But God wanted all His people eligible to partake to join in the soul-searching events of the feast. For most of the people, there were no major hindrances. To be sure, the task of administering all the parts of the feast to such a multitude was a staggering one, but one can now see why God directed such order and efficiency and participation by so many servants in the services of the tabernacle. It is possible that at least fifty thousand lambs were required for this feast for its approximately two million participants. It was the priests’ task to sprinkle the blood (probably on the altar of burnt offering), assisted in this service by the Levites. This was a task of Herculean proportion, but nonetheless very possible (cf. the sprinkling of the blood of 256,500 lambs upon the altars of the temples in Emperor Nero’s time). Whatever the staggering tasks facing the servants of God, His inviolable commandment was, “Let the children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed season” (Nu 9:2). And no commandment of God regarding the journey was impossible, even if miraculous help was necessary. With sincere and holy simplicity the record answers, “And they kept the passover … according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel” (Nu 9:5). But some men found themselves, at the time of the Passover, victims of an unfortunate circumstance. They had defiled themselves by contact with human corpses (see Lev. 19:28 for the violation). The desire of their hearts was to join with their brethren in this great and happy, though solemn, celebration. Their own words reveal this intense desire to participate: “Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season among the children of Israel?” (Nu 9:7). Moses wisely sought an answer from the Lord, and received one. And in that answer is reflected again the intention of the Lord to let all His people join in this happy occasion. Though such a man was ceremonially unclean, said the Lord, “yet he shall keep the passover” (Nu 9:10)—but one month later (Nu 9:11). The same provision of postponed celebration would also apply to one who was on a distant journey at the regular date of the Passover. But the shirkers among the Israelites (and every society has them) could not postpone their keeping the Passover if they were eligible at the time; in fact, for them not to keep the Passover meant being cut off from the people (Nu 9:13). Finally, God would also include the foreigner sojourning among the Israelites who wanted to keep the Passover, as long as he fulfilled the same requirements of the feast. For there was not to be a double standard; rather, “one statute, both for the sojourner, and for him that is born in the land” (Nu 9:14). It is in the provision for a one-month delay that we can understand the placement of the Passover section here in the account of Numbers. The majority of the Israelites had already participated; now the special cases were brought up; now it could be said that all the people were ready for the journey. (EvBC-Nu) James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - THIRTY DAYS OF GRACE Numbers 9:6–14 In this chapter we see grace upon grace. The Passover was to be kept on the fourteenth day of the first month, but the question here is raised: If a man was not in a condition to observe that feast on the day appointed, was he to be debarred for a whole year? Some men found in this position were heard saying, “Wherefore are we kept back?” (v. 7). This was a new difficulty, and Moses deals with it as we should deal with all such when they suddenly spring up before us. He took it to the Lord. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all liberally. The answer was plainly given. A special Passover feast was to be held on the fourteenth day of the second month. It was a special provision to meet a special case. Such is the riches of His grace, grace sufficient for every need. Here the way of salvation is clearly taught. 1. Unfitness. “Certain men were defiled that they could not keep the Passover on that day” (v. 6). The cause of their unfitness to profit by the provision made by God on the fourteenth day of the first month was their uncleanness. They were not in a state to receive it. Such was man’s condition at the giving of the law—God’s first provision. Being already sinners, the law could not save them, but only help to show their sinfulness. By the law is the knowledge of sin. Unbelief unfits a man from receiving the benefits of Christ’s redeeming death. The defilement was of their own making. 2. Confession. “Those men said, We are defiled” (v. 7). They confessed their unfitness, and sought not to justify themselves. They presented themselves as ones disqualified because of their defilement, and begged for the mercy and grace that might reach their need and satisfy their souls. The grace of God, like a river, flows down into every open crevice, or like the light of the sun, it never refuses to enter, no matter how dark or dirty the corner may be, if only there is an opening toward it. If any man open the door, I will come in to him. Confession is the opening of the door. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). 3. Provision. “Ye shall keep the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month” (vs. 9–11). Between the first and second Passover there were thirty days. These were days of grace. After that there was no possibility of receiving a Passover blessing for that year. This little Passover, instituted for the benefit of those who were disabled, is a beautiful little picture of the grace of God devising a plan of salvation for helpless sinful man. To help these men Moses was utterly helpless. He could only say, “Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you” (v. 8). Salvation is of the Lord. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. It is suggestive that this provision of special grace was for the defiled, or the man that was “afar off” on a journey, and so could not keep the great feast of Passover. The Gospel of His grace offers cleansing to the defiled, and to bring nigh to God those who were afar off (Eph. 2:12, 13). 4. Warning. “But the man that forbeareth to keep the Passover shall be cut off from among the people” (v. 13). The Passover speaks of redemption: “Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us.” To those who wilfully neglect this there is nothing for them but a fearful looking for of judgment. It is counting the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and doing despite unto the Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:26–31). To despise or neglect grace is to choose death. How shall ye escape if ye neglect so great salvation? 5. Invitation. “If a stranger will keep the Passover, so shall he do” (v. 14). Any stranger sojourning with them may become a participant of the blessing of this memorable feast. As it denotes, redemption by the Blood of the Lamb is offered to all who will come into the camp. How fitting all this is, as typical of the great salvation, through the Blood of the Lamb of God. “Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take” (Rev. 22:17). After you have come and taken your part of this God-offered grace, you will be no more strangers, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God (Eph. 2:17–19). Numbers 9:7 Those men said to him, "Though we are unclean because of the dead person, why are we restrained from presenting the offering of the LORD at its appointed time among the sons of Israel?" we may not offer: Nu 9:2 Ex 12:27 De 16:2 2Ch 30:17-19 1Co 5:7,8 As noted earlier the material in vv. 7–9 is chronologically earlier than vv. 1–6. Those men said to him, "Though we are unclean because of the dead person, why are we restrained from presenting the offering of the LORD at its appointed time among the sons of Israel?" Unclean (02931) see notes on tame Numbers 9:8 Moses therefore said to them, "Wait, and I will listen to what the LORD will command concerning you." Wait,: Ex 14:13 2Ch 20:17 I will: Nu 27:5 Ps 25:14 85:8 Pr 3:5,6 Eze 2:7 3:17 Joh 7:17 17:8 Ac 20:27 1Co 4:4 11:23 Heb 3:5,6 MOSES SEEKS ANSWER FROM THE LORD Moses therefore said to them, "Wait, and I will listen to what the LORD will command concerning you - Moses did not know the answer to the question in Numbers 9:7 and had the proper response -- he went to the LORD. This is a good pattern for all believers to follow when we did not have a clear sense of what we are to do in a particular situation. Today we go to Him in His Word and wait on Him prayer with an open Bible and an open (willing) heart. THOUGHT - Moses' response is described in James 1:5-8+ "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways Numbers 9:9 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Allen remarks "The grace of God is to be seen, not only in the words of his response to Moses, but in that he responded at all. We need to grasp anew the concept of the audacity of faith: by what right, excepting only God’s great grace, dare even Moses go before Yahweh, the Creator of the universe, asking for a provision for exception from his demands? All God’s actions and words to his people are gracious, undeserved, and unmerited. That he speaks at all, even in demands, is a mark of his condescension; that he speaks favorably in response to the request of Moses is a marvel. Throughout we have the sense of the ongoing wonder of grace." (EBC) Numbers 9:10 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If any one of you or of your generations becomes unclean because of a dead person, or is on a distant journey, he may, however, observe the Passover to the LORD. unclean: Nu 9:6,7 Ro 15:8-19 16:25,26 1Co 6:9-11 Eph 2:1,2,12,13 3:6-9 he may, however, observe : Mt 5:24 1Co 11:28 JEHOVAH GRANTS AN EXCEPTION Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If any one of you or of your generations becomes unclean because of a dead person, or is on a distant journey, he may, however, observe the Passover to the LORD - God's mercy and grace are clearly reflected in this passage. Note the phrase 'If any one of you or of your generations indicates that this divine exception applied to following generations, not just the Israelites in the wilderness. Wiersbe applies this "exception" - There are also exceptions to consider (vv. 6–14). The legalist makes no exceptions, and the anarchist makes everything an exception; but the child of God waits on the Lord for His orders. Each problem in life is an opportunity to learn how to wait on God and discover His will. Let’s not fear exceptions. Our job is to be obedient even if what we do does not always appear to be consistent. Unclean (02931) see notes on tame Passover (06453) see notes on pesach/pesah Numbers 9:11 'In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. fourteenth: Nu 9:3 Ex 12:2-14,43-49 2Ch 30:2-15 Joh 19:36 eat it: Ex 12:8 PASSOVER DELAYED BY ONE MONTH In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs - Other than the one month delay, there was no difference in the celebration of the Passover feast for those who had been defiled by a corpse and were now ceremonially clean.. Wiersbe - The Lord permitted these men to observe the feast later, in the second month, which shows that even under the rigid Law of Moses there was freedom when circumstances demanded it (see 2 Chr 30:13–15). Interestingly, when Nicodemus and Joseph took the body of Jesus down from the cross on Passover, they defiled themselves and could not participate in the feast (John 19:38–42). However, they had found salvation in Christ, the true Lamb of God. (WEOOT) NET Note - The delay of four weeks for such people would have permitted enough time for them to return from their journey, or to recover from any short termed defilement such as is mentioned here. Apart from this provision, the Passover was to be kept precisely at the proper time. Numbers 9:12 'They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it. shall leave: Ex 12:10+ = "‘And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire." break a bone: Ex 12:46+ = "nor are you to break any bone of it." according: Nu 9:3 Ex 12:43 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it - This passage is alluded to in the Gospel of John in John's description of the sacrifice of the true Passover Lamb "For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” (John 19:36, cf Ex 12:46+ , Ps 34:20+) Ryrie - None of the Lamb of God's bones was broken (John 19:33, 36). Passover (06453) see notes on pesach/pesah Wenham - The New Testament sees Jesus as the true paschal lamb ‘who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). At his crucifixion none of his bones was broken ‘that the scripture might be fulfilled’ (John 19:36; cf. Num. 9:12). Furthermore, ‘unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’, but those who eat and drink unworthily are ‘guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord … that is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died’ (John 6:53; 1 Cor. 11:27, 30). In this way the New Testament re-asserts the threat of cutting off, both on those who fail to participate in the Christian passover when they can, and on those who do eat it when unclean (Num. 9:7, 13; cf. Lev. 7:20). (Ibid) Numbers 9:13 'But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet neglects to observe the Passover, that person shall then be cut off from his people, for he did not present the offering of the LORD at its appointed time. That man will bear his sin. yet neglects: Nu 15:30,31 19:13 Ge 17:14 Ex 12:15 Lev 17:4,10,14-16 Heb 2:3 Heb 6:6 10:26-29 12:25 for: Nu 9:2,3,7 bear his sin: Nu 5:31 Lev 20:20 22:9 Eze 23:49 Heb 9:28 PENALTY FOR NEGLECT OF PASSOVER But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet neglects to observe the Passover, that person shall then be cut off from his people, for he did not present the offering of the LORD at its appointed time. That man will bear his sin - This teaches that each individual is held responsible for his own sins. It also teaches that sin breaks fellowship with others and of course with God (1 John 1:7). It also teaches that ultimately sin can be very costly, for many think that the verb cut off means that the offending party was killed! This particular stipulation was not given in the original instructions in Exodus 12 for no one would refuse to take the passover meal and forfeit a firstborn son! Wiersbe - What is meant by “cut off” isn’t explained here; it might mean exclusion from the camp, or it could mean death. Just as Passover was a serious matter to the Jews, so the Lord’s Supper must be taken seriously by Christians (1 Cor. 11:28–30). (Be Counted)
Números 9
Wiersbe - WWBC). TSK - There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. It is as acceptable a piece of submission to the will of God, to sit still contentedly when our lot requires it, as to work for him when we are called to it. G Campbell