Numbers 9 - The Second Passover

In this chapter, God informs Moses to tell the people of Israel to celebrate the Passover at the proper time in early spring, making sure to follow all laws and regulations concerning the celebration. At this time, it had been two years since the Israelites escaped Egypt. The Passover commemorates God’s amazing power in freeing the Israelites from slavery. It is represented in the movie, The Ten Commandments. Pharaoh would not let God’s people go…”Let my people go”, Moses commanded, right? Well, because Pharaoh was so stubborn and would not take heed to God’s miraculous power, God decided to sweep through the land of Egypt and kill all of the first born sons, including Pharaoh’s. God instructed Moses to tell the people to smear lamb’s blood on their door frames. God said, “The blood you have smeared on your doorposts will serve as a sign. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:13). There you have it...The Lord’s Passover!

Something else highlighted in Numbers, chapter 9, is that the Lord spoke to the people of Israel through Moses, regularly. However, He also spoke with signs. Wherever the Israelites set up the Tabernacle, a cloud covered it during the day. At night, the cloud above the Tabernacle appeared to be a pillar of fire. When the cloud moved, the Israelites moved….”When the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel followed it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel camped. In this way, they traveled at the Lord’s command and stopped wherever He told them to.” (Numbers 9:17-18)

The question becomes, “What visible signs is God showing us….how is He speaking to each of us?”

Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us to recognize when you are speaking to each of us. We love you!

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.