Thanks for the ongoing inspirations!!!
Numbers chapter 9.
The Passover was to be celebrated by the Israelites and was what they did as reminder of what God did during their bondage under Egypt. When God passed over Egypt, all the firstborn were killed if they did not have the blood of a lamb on the sides and top of their door frames. This was God's judgement against the gods of Egypt. This Passover event was a symbol of an even greater Passover event that would happen. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would one day be sacrificed and would shed his blood for the forgiveness of all sins. Then one day God's judgment will come up on all of humankind because of their sins. If anyone has a relationship with Jesus, then they are covered with his blood and are forgiven of all sins and will escape God's judgement upon them. Their reward will be eternal life with God in heaven. But if they don't have a relationship with Jesus then their sins are not forgiven and will face God's judgement and God's judgement will be death, eternal death in hell.
The Israelites were commanded to celebrate the Passover and if they didn't they were to be removed from the people because it was sin not to celebrate. To not celebrate is to soon forget. God never wanted them to forget what he did for them. Once they forget they become self-reliant. They quit putting their trust in God and they put trust in themselves. It's the same with Jesus. The moment we forget what he did for us, we live life without him. We become self-reliant and put trust in ourselves for our lives rather than put our trust in Jesus.
chapter 9 also talked about the cloud which was God's leading of the Israelites. Just as God loved the Israelites, so God wants to lead our lives. We must be obedient to his leading and he will make the way clear. It may not seem clear because of all the confusing circumstances around us, but God will give us peace in our hearts for the right direction. He'll open and shut doors for us. If we pursue a way that's not his will, he'll shut the door. We need to trust him. Jeremiah 29: 11-13 are good verses because it says God has a plan for our lives and if we call upon him and pray to him and seek him with all our hearts then we will find him and know the way.
Let us remember what Jesus did for us so that we stay focused on him and live solely for him and his purpose and will. As we pursue this walk with Christ we will encounter times when we are uncertain as to the direction he wants us to go. During these times let us turn to Jeremiah 29:11-13 and put it into practice and trust God.
I went to Luke 22:15 after today’s reading.
“And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”
I was thinking about how Jesus knew everything that was about to happen and yet we read that He earnestly desired to have this Last Supper with His disciples. He knew that they would desert Him and that He would be nailed to a cross to take the sin of the world, but He followed the plan because of His love for them and for us. He desires that relationship and that rescue where lives can be saved. The blood of the Lamb was shed so another would live. He doesn’t want anyone to be excluded.
We see this in 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Amen! The Israelites traveled and camped as God guided. He led them to physical places. Instead of asking “God, what do you want me to do next” … what if we asked “God, what do you want me to do while I’m right here?” He has a purpose in placing you and me where we are right now.
I was thinking about Moses in verse 8 – how he didn’t give his opinion when the men asked him how they could celebrate Passover when they were unclean, but rather said let me ask the Lord. I want to be like that. I want to be led by the Spirit as He writes His will upon my heart.
The Cloud Above the Tabernacle….
What a great way to move all the Israelites,
could you imagine if people of today were to follow the cloud …
There would be rumors flying around, (“ I heard we are moving today” )
group text would be sent out “which would make people lazy, and Facebook ….all those thumbs ups and likes.
We society lacks discipline
So very true!
What stands out to me, is the Lord giving a way for those who are unclean to celebrate the Passover. It may not be the same as if they were clean, but He makes a way for all. We are all unclean before the Lord, but He is merciful and will always provide us a way back to Him if we are willing to ask and be open to it, just like we saw with the men and Moses. Our days are marked with Grace we don’t deserve. God wants us to celebrate our life in Him, and the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for our sins.