“And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the Lord.”
Context:The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and is primarily concerned with the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. In this particular chapter, Numbers 28, God provides instructions to Moses regarding the offerings and sacrifices that the Israelites were to present to Him at specified times and seasons.
The Passover:The verse begins by mentioning the "passover of the Lord." The Passover is a significant event in Jewish history that commemorates God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Passover was instituted during the time of Moses, and it is observed on the fourteenth day of the first month (Nisan) of the Jewish calendar.
The Fourteenth Day:The specific mention of the fourteenth day highlights the importance of this date in relation to the Passover. According to the instructions given in Exodus 12, on the evening of the fourteenth day, the Israelites were to slaughter a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. This act of obedience served as a sign for God to pass over their households and spare them from the final plague of the death of the firstborn.
The First Month:The first month mentioned in this verse is the month of Nisan, which corresponds roughly to our March-April. This month holds great significance in the Jewish calendar as it marks the beginning of the religious year and is associated with various important events and festivals, including the Passover.
Spiritual Significance:The Passover holds deep spiritual symbolism for Christians as well. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the "Passover Lamb" (1 Corinthians 5:7), whose blood brings salvation and deliverance from sin and spiritual death. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the typology of the Passover lamb, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
Application:
- Commemoration and Celebration:The verse reminds us of the importance of commemorating and celebrating significant events in our spiritual journey. The Passover is a reminder of God’s faithfulness, deliverance, and redemption. As believers, we can celebrate and remember the work of Christ in our lives through communion, which is often referred to as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist.
- Obedience and Faith:Just as the Israelites were required to obey God’s instructions regarding the Passover, we are called to live in obedience to God’s commands. The Passover lamb had to be without blemish, signifying the perfection of Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God. It is through faith in His finished work on the cross that we are saved and can experience the deliverance and forgiveness of sins.
- Recognizing Jesus as the Passover Lamb:The verse also points us to the fulfillment of the Passover in Jesus Christ. As believers, we can reflect on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and the redemption we have through His blood. It is through Him that we find forgiveness, freedom from bondage to sin, and the assurance of eternal life.
In conclusion, Numbers 28:16 highlights the observance of the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The verse reminds us of the historical event in Israel’s journey and also points forward to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Passover Lamb. It serves as a reminder for believers to commemorate and celebrate God’s deliverance and to live in obedience to His commands.
