Numbers 9

Numbers 9 begins with the Israelites celebrating the Passover at the precise time God had commanded. However, “there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. And those men said to him, ‘We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the LORD’s offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?’” (vv. 6-7). Note Moses’s reply: “Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you” (v. 8). How often do people in your sphere of influence come to you, looking for answers and expecting immediate remedies to their concerns? It takes a great deal of humility to admit you do not know how to respond in that moment and even more courage to point to the omniscient One who does.

God then tells Moses that these unclean men could still keep the Passover, a gracious reply to those who had previously been precluded from participating (vv. 9-12). He goes on in verse 14 to include strangers sojourning among the Israelites as those who could enjoy this memorial celebration. What rich imagery to remind us that what was true of the blood of the Passover Lamb for the Israelites is also applicable to us Gentiles, as “the power of God for salvation [is for] everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). 

The latter half of today’s reading describes the cloud that covered the tabernacle. We were first introduced to the pillar of cloud and fire in Exodus 13, and you may recall that this phenomenon served as a visual reminder of God’s presence that dwelt among His people. “And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped…Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out” (v. 17, 22; emphasis added).

We would do well to learn a few lessons from the Israelites here:

·       First, how often do we seek God for direction, but after a few minutes, days, weeks, months, or years pass of perceived silence from Him (which is actually a response not to proceed), we take matters into our own hands and move forward? Like the nation of Israel here, let us not “set out” until God gives us the green light to do so. 

·       Because God’s people did not know when the cloud would be lifted, they had to be prepared at all times to depart from their campground and subsequently were not to be attached to a particular location along the way. They recognized their identity as traveling pilgrims in a foreign land, with citizenship in a different, promised inheritance. Similarly, our citizenship is not in this world but in heaven (Philippians 3:20), so let us not love anything (or anyone) here so much that we are not eager to enter the place Jesus has prepared for us (John 14:3).

·       Finally, and again because God did not tell them in advance when they were to set out, the Israelites had to be intently focused on that hovering cloud that signified His presence (and will). They knew that “to walk in darkness means to be out of the will of God,”[i] so their eyes were alert to His every movement. Oh, friends, how often do we miss experiencing God and find ourselves outside of His will because our hearts are fixed on something far less meaningful? 

All of us need God’s direction for our lives, so I pray today that it will be said of all those reading these words (and writing them) that we will patiently anticipate waiting for God to give us our orders. And when He does, that our minds are already determined to do as He commands.      

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       When someone comes to you looking for answers and you don’t yet have the wisdom from God to respond, how do you typically reply? 

·       How long are you willing to wait for God to give you the command to “set out”? 

[i] Wiersbe, W. W. (2001). The Bible exposition commentary: The Pentateuch. David C. Cook. p. 325.