The Second Passover & Guidance by Cloud

INTRO

God continues to speak to us in multiple ways.

TEACHING

Numbers 8:1–26: These were instructions on how Aaron was to set up of the lamps, build the lampstands, and keep the light in the holy place. Instructions were given for dedication and consecration of the Levite firstborn. Also, age parameters for Levites to serve as priests were set.

Numbers 9:1–3: The second Passover: This was the beginning of the second year after departure from Egypt. It was the Israelites’ second time to commemorate the time in Egypt when the spirit of death passed over them (Exodus 12:1–32). They were to celebratethrough the generations. It was a joyous occasion. The appointed time was in the first month, on the fourteenth day (Day of Unleavened Bread), at twilight. John MacArthur identified twilight as “the time between the day and the beginning of the next.”¹Twilight was a peaceful time when the day’s duties were over.

Numbers 9:4–5: Israel did all that the Lord commanded Moses. They had a party in the wilderness of Sinai, in a dusty, lifeless place. The generations continued to observe the Passover. Note that Passover always points to the coming Messiah. In fact, Matthew 26:17 says, “On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do You want us to prepare the Passover so You may eat it?’”

Jesus celebrated the Passover. John the Baptist was paving the way (John 1:29). Jesus was celebrating the Jewish Passover at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13). Jesus still celebrated the Passover at the end of His life (Luke 22:15). 1 Corinthians 5:7 seems to bring it altogether.

Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb. He shed His blood as the atonement (substitution, imputation, death) for our sins. Christ died, and the Passover took place so that we could have life. Israel was commanded to keep observing the Passover every single year because Christ was going to come and “pass over” for us. God wanted there to be a natural transition.

Numbers 9:6–8: Some men, because of a human corpse, could not celebrate the Passover. Those in that situation, with a proper heart attitude, went to Moses and asked if it was possible to be included in the festivities. In humility, Moses went to the Lord with their request. Moses didn’t try to make the decision himself. In leadership and in our own lives, how much better would it be if we always went to the Lord first before a decision is made?

Numbers 9:9–12: The Lord answered Moses that one may go ahead and observe the Passover if unclean because of a corpse or on a distant journey but not with the people. They were to keep all the statutes commanded. But they were to celebrate the Passover in the secondmonth (not the first), on the fourteenth day, at twilight. They were also to eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and nothing was to be left until morning. Finally, they were not to break any of the lamb’s bones.

The command to not break any of the lamb’s bones foreshadows the coming of the Messiah:

• 1 Corinthians 5:7: Paul talked of Jesus being our Passover.
• John 1:29: We also know Jesus is the Lamb.
• Exodus 12:46: Israel was not to break any of the bones of the sacrificial lamb.
• Psalm 34:20: “He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.”
• John 19:31–36: The care of the body of Jesus:
• Verse 31: The Jews were in a hurry for the bodies to be taken down before the Sabbath and requested Pilate have the three men’s legs broken before being taken away.
• Verse 32: The two men on either side of Jesus were still alive; their legs were broken.

Verse 33: Jesus was dead, so they saw no point in breaking His legs. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, would have no broken bones.

Verses 34–35: The soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, and declared Him dead. All that saw knew He was dead.

Verse 36: And “Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of His bones will be broken.”

Moses wrote of this. The Psalmist wrote of this. John wrote this. All point to the fact the original Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus’ role as the Passover Lamb. That is why Israel was instructed to celebrate every year, so they would not forget.

Numbers 9:13–14: A man was to observe the Passover if he was eligible. If he chose not to, he would be cut off and would bear the consequence of his sin. Foreigners residing with Israelites could participate, and the same statutes and ordinances would apply.

Numbers 9:15–23: The tabernacle was set up and starting that day, a cloud covered the tent of testimony. The cloud would appear like fire shown at night. It remained this way continuously. Whenever the cloud lifted, the Israelites were to pull up camp and follow the cloud until it stopped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle they stayed, but when it moved, they moved as the Lord commanded. Whether it was one night, two days, a month or longer, they camped at the Lord’s requirement in His command to Moses, moving when the cloud moved, and stopping when and where the cloud stopped.

CLOSING

Over and over, God was establishing trust. Here are a couple of examples:

Exodus 13:21–22: The Lord had established trust with the Israelites with the presence of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

Exodus 16:1: Trust was established in going from one place to the next. The Israelites, over and over again, were sensing, seeing, and living out God’s presence.

Exodus 33:9: Moses, not just the Israelites, had to depend on the Lord speaking to him and over and over, God showed up. He will always be with us wherever we go.

Psalm 18:9: God showing up in the clouds is an incredible sign that God’s presence is wherever we go.

Matthew 17:5: Even in the New Testament, the people experienced God speaking on behalf of the Messiah in a cloud, preparing people for His message.

Matthew 24:30: A sign in the clouds will happen for us as well! In Numbers 9, the Israelites were told to live day and night by following the cloud of God’s presence. Now, we are watching for the Son of Man to come “on the clouds!”

All of this points back to Christ. As Jesus went in the clouds, He is coming back in the clouds (Acts 1:9–11)! We need to be ready and waiting for the Messiah (Revelation 1:7). Every eye of both those who are alive and those who have died is going to see him. Every eye . . . not just a couple or a chosen group but every eye! Church, all over the world, be ready! We have to watch and wait for His return. We have to hold the things we have (cars, houses, families, etc.) loosely. We have to be ready to move. We have to be ready to listen to the Spirit of God and have the mentality to always be watching (Matthew 24:42).

Like those in Numbers 9, as followers of Yeshua (Jesus), we are filled with the Spirit and need to be ready, moving when the cloud moves. We need to be watchmen because we do not know when our Lord is coming back! Get ready to follow His presence!