Focus Chapters:
- Numbers 8
- Numbers 9:1-14
- Leviticus 1-3
Standout Verse(s):
THE ACTION
Number 9: 4-7 NLT
So Moses told the people to celebrate the Passover in the wilderness of Sinai as twilight fell on the fourteenth day of the month. And they celebrated the festival there, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. But some of the men had been ceremonially defiled by touching a dead body, so they could not celebrate the Passover that day. They came to Moses and Aaron that day and said, “We have become ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body. But why should we be prevented from presenting the Lord’s offering at the proper time with the rest of the Israelites?”
THE REACTION
Numbers 9:8 NLT
Moses answered, “Wait here until I have received instructions for you from the Lord.”
Observation (s):
- God has already given specific instructions on how to handle the general situation of having the Passover. The men who were unclean found an exception case and demonstrated a willingness to ask questions.
And they celebrated the festival there, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. But some of the men had been ceremonially defiled by touching a dead body, so they could not celebrate the Passover that day. They came to Moses and Aaron that day and said, “We have become ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body. But why should we be prevented from presenting the Lord’s offering at the proper time with the rest of the Israelites?”
- Moses was unsure how to treat the situation raised. He chose to enquire further to ensure his response would be aligned with what God expected and wanted.
Moses answered, “Wait here until I have received instructions for you from the Lord.”
Application:
Early in my career, I acted as a substitute secretary for the organization’s top manager. Soon the regular secretary returned. One day, the secretary approached me to ask about the completion status of an important letter. She used a term that I was not familiar with and so, without consideration, I told her that I had not been tasked with completing the letter. Later, after searching and finding the letter completed, she gave me the following advice: “If you are not sure, enquire further.“
Moses and the ceremonially unclean men demonstrated this wisdom! God gave Moses a standard rule of how to handle the Passover, however the people presented him with an exception that needed to be considered. Moses was unsure of the answer! Instead of giving an immediate response based on what he thought he knew/understood, Moses told them to wait while he enquired of the Lord. In doing so, he ensured that his public response would be aligned to God’s expectations and wishes. And guess what! God was more than willing to give him an answer!
The ceremonially unclean men also enquired about a situation that was not clear. Instead of accepting the specifications given for the general situation, they raised their hand and challenged the status quo, for a circumstance that was beyond their control. Think about it. The Israelites had specific rules about the dead. The dead had to be treated. The men were only doing what was expected of them, hence their situation which prevented them taking the Passover had to be considered. I can just imagine that when they asked the question, a few conformers snickered loudly, thinking that the obvious answer would be “they celebrated next year.”
Have you received instructions from the Lord or your church but have an exception case or further questions? How about your regular life? Are there situations you are not sure how to handle? Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and enquire further like the unclean Israelite men. As a leader, don’t be afraid to stop and say you don’t know and request time to enquire further.
