But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD’s offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native. Numbers 9:13-14
I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, Numbers 9:1-14, we see the Lord give instructions to Moses to celebrate the Passover. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: Passover was first celebrated in Egypt on the night Israel fled bondage - see Exodus 12. In Exodus 12:14, God commands Israel to mark the day as "a memorial day, and [to] shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast." In the text today in Numbers, we see God instructing Moses, while Israel has been in the wilderness for a year, to keep the Passover "at the appointed time." The text also shares how all should celebrate the Passover, including whether you are clean or unclean due to ceremonial law (e.g. touching a dead body, etc.) or whether you are part of Israel or simply a "sojourner." Gratitude and remembrance of what God has done for you is a critical part of a believer's daily journey. First and foremost, we should remember that God loved us first, knowing everything about our sin, etc. as Paul and John share He loved us first while still an enemy and hostile to Him - see also Romans 5:8-10, 1 John 4:19. Of course there are many blessings that God pours out for us - God is faithful 2 Corinthians 1:20 and working in all circumstances for good 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:28.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: We (see Isaiah 55:8) often look at what is going wrong or not according to our expectations and gratitude to God is key to focus our heart on God.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeing your circumstances and thinking that God is not at work in your life. Claim the promise that God is always at work for good and all of His promises find there yes in Him. Follow the example of Paul and John who see God's goodness in how He loved us first while we are still an enemy and hostile to Him. Be thankful in all circumstances.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves. You are always at work for good. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You love and save. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
