Numbers 9

v1-5: “Because the first Passover was celebrated in a hurry, and was the reality rather than the symbol, it was the will of God that at the turn of the year, when they were more rested and more familiar with the divine Law, they should observe it again, so that their children might more clearly understand the ceremony and remember it better in the future.” We do not celebrate the Passover but the Lord’s Supper which took its place. As Moses faithfully passed on these instructions to the people of Israel, so “Paul delivered to the churches what he received” from Christ concerning this meal.

v6-14: Church leaders can learn from the thoughtfulness of Moses about how to decide matters of the conscience. “They must not make quick decisions, but take time to consider… they must ask for advice from God and not decide the matter according to their own personal bias or desires, but impartially, according to the mind of God, and to the best of their knowledge.” In making decision, they “cannot inquire of God in precisely the same way as Moses did,” but they can turn to God’s Word, and they can “take time to spread the matter out before God in humble, believing prayer.” When they do this, they “have reason to hope that the Spirit who is promised to guide us into all truth will enable [them] to direct others in the good and right way.”

v15-23: “The cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God’s presence with Israel” by day, and it appeared as a fire by night. It showed “that he was constantly with them, that he was taking care of them, and that he kept them night and day,” and it expressed His “tender protection of” them as He “led them the right way… at their pace.” While we are not to expect “such visible signs of God’s presence and guidance as this,” we can be sure that God will guide us by His Word and Spirit, and “that he will direct the paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him.”

Numbers 10

v1-10: Trumpets were sounded to call the people of Israel to assemble at the tent of meeting. This simply reminds us that “public notification ought to be given of the time and place” when the church gathers, in order to invite people to come and benefit from this gathering.

v11-28: “We will never be fully at rest, never completely at home, till we have come to heaven, and all will be perfectly well there.” This means that our movements in the world are simply from “one wilderness to another.” As long as we have “the direction of God’s word and Spirit” we do not need to fear losing our way, even though at times we might feel perplexed.

v29-36: Hobab was invited by Moses to go with them to Canaan. “Those who have the heavenly Canaan in their sights should invite and encourage all their friends to go along with them.” A good principle for us to remember is that “it is good to have fellowship with those who have fellowship with God and to go with those whom God is with.”