The Second Passover
The Book of Numbers is better understood in terms of its name in Hebrew: Bemidbar, “in the wilderness,” for it described Israel’s preparations to depart from Mount Horeb/Sinai and their wanderings in the wilderness afterward. The events described therein would have taken place sometime around either 1450-1410 or 1250 BCE, depending on one’s view of the Exodus; Moses would have written the original text while in the land of Moab across the Jordan River from Jericho.
In Numbers 1:1-10:10, Moses set forth the preparations necessary for Israel to travel. The Israelites and the Levites were numbered and organized (Numbers 1:1-4:49). Commandments had been given regarding purity and dedication to YHWH (Numbers 5:1-6:27). Gifts had been offered for the use in the Tabernacle, and the Levites were all consecrated and purified for their service (Numbers 7:1-8:26). Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites had proven obedient to all which YHWH had commanded them.
It was now the first month of the second year since YHWH delivered the Israelites out of Egypt; YHWH thus spoke to Moses, reminding the Israelites to observe the Passover on the fourteenth day of that month along with all of its appropriate customs (Numbers 9:1-3). Moses thus commanded Israel, and Israel observed the Passover faithfully (Numbers 9:4-5).
The Israelites had reached Mount Sinai exactly three months after departing Egypt according to Exodus 19:1; therefore, Israel’s sojourn at Mount Sinai lasted approximately nine months. Perhaps we should see a kind of birthing metaphor at work: what had been a mixed multitude had now become a nation, organized around the covenant and service of YHWH their God.
Some men had become ritually impure because they had come into contact with a dead body, and thus were not able to observe the Passover as decreed (Numbers 9:6-7). They asked Moses what they should do, and Moses inquired of YHWH (Numbers 9:8). In His response, YHWH made provision for those who might be ritually unclean or on a journey during the regular time of the Passover: they should observe the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month (Numbers 9:9-11). YHWH specified they should not break the bones of the Passover lamb or leave any of it for the morning, and they should eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and then exhorted the Israelites to satisfy every aspect of the Passover observance, just a month later (Numbers 9:11-12). Above all YHWH wanted to emphasize the importance of observing the Passover: those who could observe but did not do so had sinned and should be cut off from the people, and resident foreigners who wish to observe the Passover should be encouraged to do so, and they would be expected to observe it in the exact same way as native Israelites (Numbers 9:13-14).
From this case law experience we can understand just how important and significant God intended the Passover observance to remain among the Israelites. For no other observance do we see a similar precedent and expectation of observation a month later if one is unclean or traveling. Yet no other observance was like the Passover in commemorating YHWH’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery. Not for nothing did YHWH begin His giving of the Law by identifying Himself as YHWH who delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 20:2): such was God’s great act of salvation, His demonstration of covenant loyalty, and the basis on which God expected Israel to remain faithful to the covenant which He had made with them. But Israel did not faithfully observe the Passover; its observance in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah are notable, and the Chronicler confessed the Passover had not been appropriately observed in the days of the kings (2 Chronicles 30:5, 35:18). Whether Israel’s lack of faithfulness to YHWH in the days of the kings was caused by or a symptom of the lack of appropriate Passover observance cannot be fully ascertained.
We also do well to note how John specifically quoted Numbers 9:12 in John 19:36 in reference to Jesus’ legs not being broken, fully identifying Jesus with the Passover lamb. As God delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery during the Passover, so Jesus delivered all mankind from enslavement to sin and death as our Passover lamb (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7).
Moses then provided greater detail regarding the cloud of the Presence of YHWH in Numbers 9:15-23. The basic story had already been set forth in Exodus 40:34-38: the cloud would be on the Tabernacle during the day, and fire at night; if the cloud was lifted up, Israel would travel. Moses reiterated these matters and emphasized how the Israelites would travel according to the commandment of YHWH: they would not go anywhere if the cloud remained over the Tabernacle, whether for one or many days; they would travel, either day or night, when the cloud was taken up. Moses frequently highlighted Israel’s obedience in these matters: they meticulously observed the cloud and moved, or did not move, according to YHWH’s manifested commands and will (Numbers 9:18-20, 23).
YHWH then commanded Moses to make trumpets of silver and made provision for their use in Numbers 10:1-10. Two trumpets should be made to assemble the Israelites and make provision for travel (Numbers 10:2). If one trumpet would blow, the leaders should assemble before Moses; if both blew, all Israel should thus assemble (Numbers 10:3-4, 7). Blowing one alarm would signal the eastern camp to travel; two alarms, the southern camp (Numbers 10:5-6). The sons of Aaron would be the ones responsible for blowing the trumpets (Numbers 10:8). YHWH also made provision for the use of trumpets once Israel entered their land: they should sound the alarm with trumpets when fighting their enemies so they would be remembered before YHWH and be delivered, and they should blow the trumpets with joy during their appointed festivals and at the beginning of each month over their offerings as part of their memorial before God (Numbers 10:9-10).
In describing the cloud of the Presence and the trumpets, Moses prepared the reader for the resumption of the journey through the wilderness beginning in Numbers 10:11. The formulaic date of Numbers 10:11 strongly parallels Exodus 19:1, forming an inclusio of Israel’s Sinai experience. The cloud would lift; the trumpets would sound; Israel would again be on the march.
Moses thus concluded his description of Israel’s sojourn at Mount Horeb/Sinai and his detailing of the preparations made for the Israelites in resuming their journey. The Sinai experience overall featured moments of great relational connection with YHWH, the reception of the covenant and the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the building and consecration of the Tabernacle, and the dedication of the Levites for YHWH’s service; but also devastating moments of rebellion with long-term consequences, as in the incident of the golden calf. Nevertheless, Israel has proven conspicuously faithful and obedient to YHWH’s commands and provisions throughout Numbers 1:1-10:11. At this moment, Israel is prepared to confidently journey forth from Horeb/Sinai toward Canaan, organized for war, seemingly ready to observe YHWH’s commandments and enter the Promised Land.
We are aware of the disobedience and rebellion to come and its devastating consequences for that generation of Israelites, and Moses will narrate that experience soon enough. Yet it is not the fault of YHWH who had well provided for Israel and had made appropriate and sufficient preparations, as Numbers 1:1-10:11 attested. We do well to learn from Israel’s example and seek to faithfully glorify and honor God in Christ through the Spirit so we might obtain the resurrection of life!
Ethan R. Longhenry
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