The Book Of Numbers | A Journey Toward Human Freedom Under God's AuthorityExemplo

"The Passover Meal"

In this chapter, God institutes a rhythm of remembrance into his people. This chapter reveals more about how God structures his people under his guidance. He orders them around a regular observance of a “meal” and a daily rhythm of “waiting and going.”

The people were already well acquainted with all that was included in the Passover. It was a time to remember the dreadfully joyful night of God’s deliverance. God had defeated the so called “gods” of the Egyptian people in smiting them through nine horrific plagues of pestilence, until finally, God, at the end of his patience, ignited in anger toward a bitter and rebellious Pharaoh, and promised the 10th and final plague—to kill the firstborn male of each family. That night, as the angel of death took the lives of the innocent due to Pharaoh’s sinful disobedience, all children living in the homes whose doorposts were smeared with the blood of the Lamb were “passed over.” That night was to be remembered as both bitter and as sweet, as both a great victory of joy, and as a great defeat of sadness with much mourning—a night of judgment and of blessing.

The Passover, as stated in Numbers 9, was for both the native and the sojourner and culminates in the life of Jesus—the bread of life. His life is a festival that causes every human being to remember that either “they shall bear their sin” (vs. 13), and incur all consequences as a result of the lies waiting in the shadows of their slavery, or that in following the Lord, they will receive all the freedom that comes in living in the light of God’s sacrifice on their behalf.

In the following passage, Numbers 9:15-23, an additive rhythm to that of the Passover appeared as yet another tool for training. The pillar of fire and the billowing cloud of God’s leading and protective presence served as another helpful reminder to them of God’s gentle hand of Lordship. The leading of the cloud and fire trained the people in a rhythm all its own. The method God instituted in how to lead his people teaches us how all of reality is to be walked out in the day-to-day journey of waiting on the Lord, and going when he says to obey.