Num 9:1-14 | KingComments | STEP | Here we have another time indication that heralds a historical part. On 1-1 of the second year after the exodus, the tabernacle was erected. Next we find what is described in Numbers 7. That then runs until 13-1. The following day, the fourteenth day, the Passover is observed. The first Passover was observed in Egypt. So here we read about the second Passover. Only in Joshua 5 do we read about the observance of the Passover for the third time ( ). Wouldn’t it have been observed in the wilderness? God has prescribed its observance as an eternal ordinance for the generations to come ( ). Yet we read in the Bible only seven times in total about an actual observance of the Passover ( ; ; ; ; ; ). It is reminiscent of the sparse times that the Lord’s memorial meal is observed in Christianity. There is a connection between the Passover in Exodus, Numbers and Joshua. 1. In Exodus, its observance is unique. It refers to the moment a person comes to conversion, is redeemed and enters the wilderness, all on the basis of the blood. Israel could not leave Egypt without Passover. For man there is no way out of the world without the death of Christ. 2. Also after that God wants us not to forget the Passover lamb. During our wilderness trip (Numbers) we observe it every first day of the week. 3. God also wants us to be aware that we owe all our heavenly blessings (Joshua) to that Lamb. Thus we see the Passover Lamb at the beginning of the journey, during the journey and after the journey has ended. The Passover is a reminder of their salvation and a symbol of their unity as a people. The Lord’s Supper has the same thought. It reminds the members of the church of Him Who redeemed them – “do this in remembrance of Me” ( ) – and expresses the fact that the members of the church are “one bread, … one body” ( ). God gives these symbols – the Passover for Israel and the Supper for the church – to prevent the thought of unity and redemption from being lost. The Passover is observed here for the first time as a memorial . Salvation is still fresh in the memory. They have experienced salvation. Every child of God has that experience of salvation, but as an experience of faith. By celebrating the Supper, the salvation experienced back then comes to us again and again with power, we are always reminded of it.

‏ Numbers 9:1-14

Observing the Second Passover

Here we have another time indication that heralds a historical part. On 1-1 of the second year after the exodus, the tabernacle was erected. Next we find what is described in Numbers 7. That then runs until 13-1. The following day, the fourteenth day, the Passover is observed.

The first Passover was observed in Egypt. So here we read about the second Passover. Only in Joshua 5 do we read about the observance of the Passover for the third time (Jos 5:10). Wouldn’t it have been observed in the wilderness? God has prescribed its observance as an eternal ordinance for the generations to come (Exo 12:14). Yet we read in the Bible only seven times in total about an actual observance of the Passover (Exo 12:11; Num 9:5; Jos 5:10; 2Chr 30:15 ; 2Chr 35:1; Ezra 6:19; Lk 22:15). It is reminiscent of the sparse times that the Lord’s memorial meal is observed in Christianity.

There is a connection between the Passover in Exodus, Numbers and Joshua.

1. In Exodus, its observance is unique. It refers to the moment a person comes to conversion, is redeemed and enters the wilderness, all on the basis of the blood. Israel could not leave Egypt without Passover. For man there is no way out of the world without the death of Christ.

2. Also after that God wants us not to forget the Passover lamb. During our wilderness trip (Numbers) we observe it every first day of the week.

3. God also wants us to be aware that we owe all our heavenly blessings (Joshua) to that Lamb.

Thus we see the Passover Lamb at the beginning of the journey, during the journey and after the journey has ended.

The Passover is a reminder of their salvation and a symbol of their unity as a people. The Lord’s Supper has the same thought. It reminds the members of the church of Him Who redeemed them – “do this in remembrance of Me” (1Cor 11:24-25) – and expresses the fact that the members of the church are “one bread, … one body” (1Cor 10:17). God gives these symbols – the Passover for Israel and the Supper for the church – to prevent the thought of unity and redemption from being lost.

The Passover is observed here for the first time as a memorial. Salvation is still fresh in the memory. They have experienced salvation. Every child of God has that experience of salvation, but as an experience of faith. By celebrating the Supper, the salvation experienced back then comes to us again and again with power, we are always reminded of it.

Passover Observance in the Second Month

Wilderness conditions sometimes cause hindrances to the observance of the Passover. That may be in case of defilement. It is not about someone being unworthy as a believer. By nature, every believer is unworthy, but he has been qualified by the Lord Jesus. However, our walk can make us unqualified and this without wanting it ourselves. This is not about a conscious sin. This is about the touch of a corpse, perhaps accidentally, perhaps necessary because someone had to be buried. It is not impurity that has come forth from himself.

That it is not a conscious sin, is also shown by the fact that these men are going to Moses. The men show sensitivity toward the Passover by indicating that their touch with death prevents them from observing it now. They are also not satisfied that they will only skip it once. They go to Moses with their problem. We see their good mind and desire in two directions: they are not indifferent to their defilement, nor are they indifferent to the Passover.

Moses does not pretend to know the answer to their question. It is true greatness to say that you don’t know something and go to God with it in the confidence that He will answer. Moses approaches God on behalf of these men to ask Him and presents this case to Him. God answers. We always see that in Numbers. Ask Him and He tells you what to do. God provides for every circumstance where the people do not know what to do. God always maintains His holiness. Impurity makes unqualified, but He does give a solution. He provides circumstances in which such a person can observe the Passover.

In His answer He gives a way out. He also adds another case that someone was unable to celebrate the Passover. That is in case someone is not able to observe it because of a distant journey. By being on a distant journey someone has removed himself from the place where the LORD is. That is a choice of its own. Application: if we do not see someone in the meeting for a number of weeks, it may indicate that such a person is on a distant journey, i.e. spiritually far astray. We have to take care of that. We can’t miss anyone. God also values the observance of the Passover. It is not a matter of indifference to Him if anyone does not observe the Lord’s Supper, the remembrance of the Lord.

Guilty Negligence

The way out which the LORD gives is that the Passover may be observed in the second month. In this He provides in His grace. But if the person concerned does not make use of it again this time, he must be cut off. Then there is intention. One application could be to say to someone who repeatedly for no reason does not observe the Lord’s Supper, that he cannot observe it until he realizes that he wrongs the Lord Jesus.

In a spiritual sense, we are all in “second month’s circumstances”. Some have come from church systems where death has gained access; others have come home from a ”distant journey”. In many local churches only a small part of the entire church meets in that place. Many are still in a place of Christianity where death reigns; many are also still on a distant journey.

God still gives this opportunity, as in the days of Hezekiah (2Chronicles 30-31). We read of those days: “For a multitude of the people, … had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than prescribed. For Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD pardon everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though not according to the purification [rules] of the sanctuary.” So the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people” (2Chr 30:18-20).

This regulation does not mean that God lowers or loosens His standards. He never does. We must not become more flexible in our assessment of who can and cannot take part in the Lord’s Supper. What applies to the first month also applies to the second month. Never should weakness in the testimony change the standards. But God does take the circumstances into account and we must do so too.

The Passover for the Alien

The alien who sojourns with the Israelites is also obliged to observe the Passover to the LORD. It is an alien who, by being circumcised, has become part of the people of God: “But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you” (Exo 12:48-49; cf. Ezra 6:19-21).