Numbers Chapter 9
God had done something extraordinary in the rescue of the Israelite people from Egypt. It was an event that would forever mark the people as God’s own redeemed people. During God’s rescue the people were literally snatched from the jaws of death when God passed over the land of Egypt and killed the firstborn of every Egyptian family but spared the Israelites because they had obeyed the command of the Lord to paint the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a sacrificed lamb. God had given specific instructions that this event should be celebrated and remembered annually going forward. See Leviticus 23.
Exodus 12:14 So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.
The Israelites are now at the beginning of a new year. Their calendar year now began with the month Abib, which was the month they commemorated the Passover. It was time for all of Israel to celebrate their first Passover since leaving Egypt.
Let's Reflect
1. What day of the month of Abib did the people celebrate Passover?
2. Keeping this first Passover in the wilderness of Sinai would have been so meaningful since it had been such a short time since God had rescued them from Egypt. It was still fresh in their minds all that God had done. All of Israel participated in this event except for two men who knew that they could not because they were unclean. This would have been very upsetting for them. Why were they unclean and unable to participate?
3. Being upset that they were excluded, they asked Moses if there was any way they could participate in Passover. Did Moses know the answer?
4. What was the solution for these two men?
5. God also instructed for future reference that if someone was away, travelling that when they returned, they could also celebrate Passover at the later time. What was the later time?
6. God had told the Israelites from the time that He asked them to prepare to leave Egypt that He would be with them. It was clear that His presence was the reason the Tabernacle was constructed. What does verse 15 tell us about God’s presence?
7. Verse 23 tells us, “At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out.” How did God make this command evident to the people?
8. What evidence do you see in your own life that God is directing your life?
