Chapters 9 and 10 of Numbers record rare incidents of full obedience of the Israelites. Some people were longing to participate in worshiping God. The entire Israelites followed the LORD’s direction in camping and setting out. We also see a “continuous” presence of God, which reflects His faithfulness and steadfastness. 

Summary

In the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses to command the Israelites to observe the Passover. 

The sons of Israel observed their first Passover since they had come out of the land of Egypt. Those that were clean observed the Passover at the appointed time on the fourteenth day of the first month. About a month later, those who were unclean because of the dead person observed the Passover in the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight. However, those who were clean but deliberately neglected to observe the Passover shall be cut off from the people, the LORD commanded. 

Since the day the tabernacle was erected, the LORD led the Israelites by the cloud and the pillar of fire.The Israelites kept the LORD’s charge, according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

Proactive Participation

How much do we yearn to participate in the fellowship with and worship of the LORD? I believe there is an important lesson for us from these men who were initially not allowed to participate in the Passover because of their previous contact with a dead body. 

The initial rule on the Passover was that those who were unclean (i.e. through touching a dead body) were not allowed to participate in the Passover. However, this initial rule would not deter certain men who were unclean from raising their honest voice and expressing their desire to participate in the Passover, a great event associated with God’s miraculous deliverance of His people. 

Note their proactiveness and desire to participate in the Passover. For those who despised the Passover, they could have taken this excuse not to participate in the Passover. However, they showed proactiveness and their uncleanness would not deter them from participating in the Passover (Numbers 9:6-7). These men came to Moses and Aaron and politely raised their voice that their exclusion from the Passover was unfair – a fair point because they could have experienced death within their extended family, which was outside of their control.

Moses, being a humble leader, asked (Numbers 9:8) the LORD for His guidance. God the LORD, who listens to our every prayer and request, responded in a fair manner (Numbers 9:9-14). God provided a solution and clarified the Passover. God told them to keep the Passover a month later. Then, God clarified that the Passover participation encompassed both the native and sojourners.  

Because of their proactiveness to participate in the LORD’s Passover, the LORD God gave them a solution and also clarified the scope of the Passover.

Let’s be proactive in participating in the fellowship with and the worship of our God!

Majestic Scene and Intricate Care: Cloud and Fire

After the Passover was kept by the Israelites in their full obedience, God manifested Himself through the cloud on the day and the appearance of fire in the evening (Numbers 9:15)

Source: https://tcf-spain.org/sermons/the-pillar-of-cloud-and-the-pillar-of-fire/

Imagine this majestic scene of fire as if you were a young child with your family at night. This was not just the majestic scene. In the wilderness, it was dry on the day and on the night the temperature dropped precipitously. The cloud on the day surrounded God’s people with coolness and moisture in the dry and weary land of wilderness. Pillars of fire at night provided warmer temperatures to dampen the effect of a plummeting temperature. In the majestic scene of God was the intricate care for His people. He provided a cozy climate for His people as if an eagle carried its young (Exodus 19:14).

Continuously

So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night

Numbers 9:16

The word “continuously” stood out. This term rhymes well with one of the key characteristics of God: His steadfastness. 

God led His people steadfastly and continuously with protection whether the Israelites were aware of or not. Even when they were not aware of God’s presence, God continuously protected and led His people. 

Likewise, God has led and protected you continuously even if you were unaware of it. Let this sink in. 

Father Heart of God

There seems to be a lot of redundancies from Numbers 9:18 to 9:23, which can be summarized into a single sentence: At the command of the LORD they camped and set out. Then, why was the main point repeated multiple times, although these verses were saying essentially explaining the same action by the Israelites?

I believe this was the reflection of the Father Heart of God on His beloved children, the Israelites. Moses was pleased to see the Israelites fully obeying the direction of God provided by the cloud and fire in camping and setting out. God also was pleased (perhaps, overwhelmed with joy) when they fully obeyed. It is like a father recording all the actions of his children whom he deeply loves. God wanted this to be vividly, repeatedly expressed to be imprinted in His heart, and also to let everyone know this.