Num 9:1-5 | 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 9:1-5

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.