Numbers 9 (v15-23), Looking Back, Looking Ahead

First, we should note the timing of events in Numbers.  According to 9:1 the second Passover was to be in the first month of the second year.  The census taken back in Num. 1 took place after this, on the first day of the second month of the second year (1:1).  Overall, there is a chronological order in Numbers, covering the time they leave Mt. Sinai until they come to the Plains of Moab across from Jericho. Up till now (Num. 1-8) Moses has dealt with what could be called organizational matters (census, organizing the Levites, and so forth).  But with the second Passover, Israel now is ready to leave Mt. Sinai.  The journey resumes here from where it had ended in Exodus 19:1.

There are a couple of wonderful things about the account of the second Passover.

·       First, room was made at the table for those who were unclean because of coming in contact with a corpse or for those who were on a journey and were not home at the time of Passover.  These are not overt sins, such as that committed by the man who is not on a journey but fails to keep the Passover (v13).  It shows God’s recognition of legitimate obstacles.  The law can be adjusted in particular, legitimate situations.

·       Second, there is one law concerning Passover for both the people of Israel and for foreigners (v14).  Remember that a “mixed multitude” left Egypt: the people of Israel along with Egyptians who wanted to be numbered with them (Ex. 12:38).  This certainly fits the typology of Passover.  There is only one cross of Christ, only one sacrifice for sin, and it is available to all. 

In 9:15-23 we are reminded of God’s leadership of Israel, using a cloud by day and fire by night.  This was how He led them from Egypt to Sinai (Ex. 13:21-22); these now return to provide direction for Israel for the next nearly 39 years.  Just a reminder!  What this means is that every time Israel complains about the latest campsite (no water, no food, no this and that, we should have never left Egypt, etc.) their complaint was not against Moses but God who leads.  He leads us in a similar path: not the easiest path but the best path by which we can glorify Him as God!

Num. 10:1-10 have a related topic: the two silver trumpets.  These were used for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps (10:2).  Blowing both of them was a call to the congregation to meet around the tabernacle.  Blowing one was a call to the leaders to meet.  Then there were calls that sounded when it was time for each part of the camp to move out.  If you wondered how two and a half million people could travel through the desert, wonder no more.  It was quite orderly.  Whatever your thoughts about the wilderness days, remember that Israel was a nation, one people.  They would not be nomadic wanderers forever.  God was forming a nation, His treasure, who would occupy the land God had for them.