“And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day.”
In this verse, we find a specific situation where some men were unable to participate in the Passover feast due to being defiled by a dead body. To understand the significance of this verse, it’s helpful to have some background information.
The Passover:was an important feast in the Old Testament, commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was established in Exodus 12, where God instructed the Israelites to slaughter a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. The blood served as a sign, and when the Lord saw it, He would “pass over” their houses, sparing their firstborn from death. This event marked the beginning of the Exodus from Egypt.
Now, let’s focus on Numbers 9:6. The men mentioned in this verse were ceremonially unclean due to contact with a dead body. The Law of Moses had various regulations regarding ceremonial cleanliness, and coming into contact with a dead body was considered defiling. This defilement would render them ineligible to participate in certain religious observances, including the Passover:
In this particular instance, these men approached Moses and Aaron, seeking guidance and a solution. Let’s continue to explore the passage by looking at the following verses:
Numbers 9:7-8 (KJV) states: “And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the Lord in his appointed season among the children of Israel? And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”
Here we see the men expressing their concern about being excluded from offering their sacrifices to the Lord:during the appointed time. Moses, as the leader and mediator between God and the people, directs them to wait while he seeks divine guidance regarding their situation.
Numbers 9:9-10 (KJV) continues: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the Lord.”
In response to Moses’ inquiry, the Lord:provides a solution. He instructs Moses to convey to the Israelites that if anyone is unable to observe the Passover:due to ceremonial uncleanness from contact with a dead body or being on a distant journey, they can still participate in the feast. They are to keep the Passover:one month later, on the fourteenth day of the second month.
This exception allows individuals who were unable to observe the Passover:during the appointed time to have an opportunity to celebrate and partake in the religious observance. It demonstrates God’s understanding of the various circumstances that may prevent people from participating in certain rituals and His desire to provide a means for them to fulfill their spiritual obligations.
Through this passage, we can learn several lessons:
- God is compassionate and understanding:The provision made for those who were unable to keep the Passover:due to uncleanness or distance shows God’s compassion for His people. He understands our limitations and provides alternatives to ensure that no one is excluded from participating in important religious observances.
- Seeking God’s guidance:The men in this passage approached Moses, seeking guidance when faced with a situation that seemed to hinder their participation. It reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s guidance through prayer and seeking wisdom from spiritual leaders when faced with challenging circumstances.
- Flexibility in religious observances:The passage highlights the flexibility within the Mosaic Law. While adherence to God’s commands was essential, exceptions were made to accommodate specific situations. This teaches us that God is not rigidly bound by rules but considers individual circumstances and provides grace.
