The Passover
1 The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, 2 “Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 3 Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations.”
4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5 and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.
This celebration of the Passover, which takes place in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt, actually precedes the events of Numbers 1, the taking of the census, which took place on the first day of the second month of the second year.
The Lord speaks to Moses while still in the desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt to have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time -with all its rules and regulations. The Passover celebrations to take place at twilight on the fourteenth day of first month.(all of these instructions with the rules and regulations, were given to Moses back in Exodus Chapter 12)
6 But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean on account of a dead body. So they came to Moses and Aaron that same day 7 and said to Moses, “We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the Lord’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”
8 Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”
There were “certain men”, as the King James puts it, that were ceremonially unclean by being defiled by a dead body. Scripture is unclear as to how many men were unclean, and as to how they came across a dead body. Scripture also does not offer any information as to who the dead body was. However, these men wanted to partake in the celebration of the Passover, so they questioned Moses and Aaron as to why they should be kept from celebrating along with the other Israelites. Moses tells them to wait until he finds out what the Lords commands are on this matter and then he will get back to them.
9 Then the Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, 11 but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. 13 But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people for not presenting the Lord’s offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.
14 “‘A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the Lord’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’”
So to recap, these men, who became ceremonially unclean due to a dead body, and the laws concerning that (Lev 7:20), really wanted to partake in the Passovers celebration, also as required by law, inquired to Moses and Aaron as to whether or not they can partake. Moses being the mighty man of God forsaking his own thinking and understanding, inquires of the will of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
The Lord tells Moses to tell the Israelites,’When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight, normally the Passover celebrations took place on the fourteen day of first month at twilight.
The Lord then gives Moses further instructions on the Passover rules and regulations concerning foreigners and native born citizens. Often as with any Law, there needs to be several by-laws ; additions or amendments to the original laws because of different situations surrounding the original law.
The Cloud Above the Tabernacle
15 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
On the day that the tabernacle was set up , the Glory of the Lord came down as a cloud and covered the tent of meeting. From evening till morning whenever the cloud was there it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out, wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. Sometimes the cloud would stay for days, however long the cloud stayed whether two days, a month or a year, the Israelites stayed encamped, when the cloud lifted they packed up and moved. This cloud was appointed as the visible sign and symbol of God’s presence with Israel. Thus they were taught to see God always near us, both night and day! (See 1 Corin 10)
Romans 8:14 (NIV)
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Psalm 48:14 (NIV)
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
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