Numbers 9 ORDER ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS There is not a chronological order in these first chapters of Numbers. There is more of a moral order as we learn the value of orderly service in the things of God. In chapter nine there are two areas of teaching regarding order. The first is order in the keeping of the Passover and then order in making changes as in moving forward. Neither of these are daily events in which we need to know God's will, but are important events we can anticipate will happen according to God's already revealed will. These are special occasions that affect our whole life and we dare not approach them with indifference or thinking we can adapt them to meet our preference. The Passover was a once-a-year event that was associated with a week long festival of the nation. It could be counted on to happen every year on the same day of the year. The command to move meant everyone had to be ready to act on a moment's notice without any advance warning.
The Passover was kept in Egypt the first time as the blood of the lamb placed on the door posts and lintel of Israeli homes testified to the redemption of God's providing as the foundation of everything they had. The blood of the lamb applied was the basis of the redemption of Israel and the blood of Christ is the basis of our redemption. The Passover kept in the wilderness one year later testified to the fact that deliverance from the difficulties and dangers of wilderness living is on the basis of redemption. When the children of Israel reached the promised land, victory there was by virtue of redemption. In each of these places whenever the Passover was kept, the people were reminded of who they were and how they had been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. The reason for keeping the Passover yearly was so the nation would remember the redemption God provided for them. The time they were to keep it was ordered by God as well. It was to be held on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening by regulation from God. Those who were unable to keep it on that day due to defilement or distance got advice from Moses regarding the claims of God, and Aaron regarding the grace of God. In reply to Moses inquiry, God allowed those legitimate absentees to keep the Passover by themselves one month later.
The feast itself consisted of roast lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs - nothing else. This was the reminder of deliverance from Egypt. Even for those who faced the unexpected events of desert living, or defilement by contact with a dead body, or the distance of travel: they had to partake of the same things one month later after the days of their purification and preparation had taken place. The standard can never be lowered when it comes to the things of God. There are those who want to change what God has made plain to us in His Word, and arrange things to suit themselves for the sake of convenience or personal preference. That is the difference between what is counterfeit and what is real. God never fails in His promises, and never changes His precepts. Any who stayed away from the Passover feast done in God's way, was cut off from His people. Unjudged sin has serious consequences, and willful neglect of what is the command of God or is important to God, is evidence of one who is away from God.
For the Christian today, the Lord's Supper is the time we remember that "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast." To negate or relegate the Lord's Supper to something of little importance leads one to be cut off from fellowship with the Lord's people either by their own choosing or imposed upon them. At the Lord's Supper we remember Him and show His death until He comes. To treat that memorial of our redemption and the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, as something of little importance is to devalue what God says is important. The feast of the Lord's Supper was initiated in the Gospel accounts, celebrated in the book of Acts and expounded for us in 1st Corinthians 11. The remembrance of Christ and the public proclamation of His death begins inwardly and is spiritual. Each participant prepares by reading the scriptures and prayer as the Holy Spirit guides us. There is also the outward and literal expression of our redemption when we come together as a company of redeemed people on "first day of the week to break bread."
Love in the heart of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb is a natural response to the death of Christ and the love of Christ to us. Any who absent themselves from the Lord's Supper for trivial reasons probably have never understood, or at least appreciated, the value God places on the sacrifice Christ made when He suffered for us on the cross. "We are redeemed, not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."
Whenever God in His sovereign will, guides us to make changes in our lives, it is an important event that should never be undertaken in a haphazard manner. Israel remained in their places and didn't move here or there at some whim of their own choosing. There was visible evidence of God's presence in their midst with the sheltering cloud by day and the light of the fire by night. There was visible evidence of God's guidance as to the starts and stops when the cloud rose up and moved, or came to a stop in a certain place. We need the guidance of God now right we here we are, as well as in guiding us as to what is next. Waiting periods in life are not to be empty spaces. We need divine guidance in the unknown situations of everyday life as well as the unknown future. There was time for purification when it was needed and we should never overlook that need in our lives. On the other hand, laziness, negligence and disobedience had serious consequences that affected God's people for the rest of their life.
The brightness of the fire by night revealed God's sovereignty to the people of Israel. He was in control and He was guiding them. The cloud shadowing the Tabernacle concealed God's majesty so no one could approach Him without being aware they were coming to a holy place. We are dependent on the Lord to guide us whether in the place we live or where He leads us to make a move. It is important we submit to His guidance when we buy or sell; whether to engage to marry or not; how much we should give and how much we should save; whether to relocate or stay put. He knows what is right for us and we know He loves us. Therefore, we can trust Him to guide us. Our liberty in life and service depends on us looking up to Him for guidance. He will lead and guide us in every event. When there is no change that comes as an answer to prayer, wait and continue to live by faith.
When the time came for God's people to move, there was no question. The cloud rose and moved, and they obeyed. At the beginning of Israel's dealings with God there was no hesitation. They acted as one in faith and willingly obeyed the directions they had been given. The action they took was to do what God had said without questioning the outcome. We too can rely on God's divine guidance, as the Holy Spirit clarifies each situation we are found in by giving us "the peace of God" to guide us and direct our movements. When there is uncertainty and questioning, we need to be willing to wait and fill the waiting times with useful service where we are. We are to keep "the charge of the Lord" and can rest there until such times as change is unmistakably clear.