Numeri 9

1 IL Signore parlò ancora a Mosè, nel deserto di Sinai, nel primo mese dell’anno secondo dacchè i figliuoli d’Israele furono usciti del paese di Egitto, dicendo:

2 Facciano i figliuoli d’Israele la Pasqua, nella sua stagione.

3 Fatela nella sua stagione, nel quartodecimo giorno di questo mese, fra’ due vespri; fatela secondo tutti i suoi statuti, e secondo tutti i suoi ordini.

4 E Mosè parlò a’ figliuoli d’Israele, acciocchè facessero la Pasqua.

5 Ed essi fecero la Pasqua nel quartodecimo giorno del primo mese, fra’ due vespri, nel deserto di Sinai. I figliuoli d’Israele fecero interamente come il Signore avea comandato a Mosè.

6 Or vi furono alcuni uomini, i quali, essendo immondi per una persona morta, non poterono far la Pasqua in quel giorno; laonde si presentarono davanti a Mosè e davanti ad Aaronne, in quel giorno stesso.

7 E dissero loro: Noi siamo immondi per una persona morta; perchè saremmo noi divietati di offerir l’offerta al Signore nella sua stagione, fra’ figliuoli d’Israele?

8 E Mosè disse loro: Statevene; e io udirò ciò che il Signore comanderà intorno a voi.

9 E il Signore parlò a Mosè, dicendo:

10 Parla a’ figliuoli d’Israele, dicendo: Quando alcun di voi, o delle vostre generazioni, sarà immondo per una persona morta, ovvero sarà in viaggio lontano, non lasci però di far la Pasqua al Signore.

11 Faccianla nel quartodecimo giorno del secondo mese, fra’ due vespri; manginla con azzimi e con lattughe salvatiche.

12 Non lascinne nulla di resto fino alla mattina; e non ne rompano osso alcuno; faccianla secondo tutti gli statuti della Pasqua.

13 Ma, se alcuno è netto, e non è in viaggio, e pur si rimane di far la Pasqua; sia una tal persona ricisa da’ suoi popoli; porti quell’uomo il suo peccato; perciocchè non ha offerta nella sua stagione l’offerta del Signore.

14 E quando alcuno straniere, dimorando con voi, farà la Pasqua del Signore, facciala secondo gli statuti e gli ordini di essa; siavi un medesimo statuto fra voi; così per lo forestiere, come per colui che è natio del paese.

15 OR nel giorno che il Tabernacolo fu rizzato, la nuvola coperse il Tabernacolo, di sopra il Padiglione della Testimonianza; e in su la sera era sopra il Tabernacolo in apparenza di fuoco, fino alla mattina.

16 Così era del continuo; la nuvola lo copriva di giorno; e di notte vi era un’apparenza di fuoco.

17 E, secondo che la nuvola si alzava d’in sul Tabernacolo, i figliuoli d’Israele camminavano appresso; e dove la nuvola stanziava, quivi si accampavano i figliuoli d’Israele.

18 Al comandamento del Signore i figliuoli d’Israele si movevano, e altresì al comandamento del Signore si accampavano; e stavano accampati tutto il tempo che la nuvola stanziava sopra il Tabernacolo.

19 E quando la nuvola continuava a star per molti giorni in sul Tabernacolo, allora i figliuoli d’Israele attendevano alle fazioni del servigio del Signore, e non si partivano.

20 O fosse che la nuvola stesse pochi dì in sul Tabernacolo, al comandamento del Signore si accampavano, e altresì al comandamento del Signore si movevano.

21 O fosse che la nuvola vi stesse dalla sera fino alla mattina, e poi si alzasse in su la mattina, essi si movevano; o fosse che, statavi un giorno ed una notte, poi si alzasse, essi parimente si movevano.

22 Per quanto tempo la nuvola continuava a stanziare in sul Tabernacolo, o fossero due dì, o un mese, o un anno, tanto se ne stavano i figliuoli d’Israele accampati, e non si movevano; poi, quando la nuvola si alzava, si movevano.

23 Al comandamento del Signore si accampavano, e al comandamento del Signore si movevano; e al comandamento del Signore, dato per Mosè, attendevano alle fazioni del servigio del Signore.

Numeri 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

Of the Passover. (1-14) The removals of the Israelites. (15-23)

Verses 1-14 God gave particular orders for the keeping of this passover, and, for aught that appears, after this, they kept no passover till they came to Canaan, ( Joshua 5:10 ) . It early showed that the ceremonial institutions were not to continue always, as so soon after they were appointed, some were suffered to sleep for many years. But the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was not thus set aside in the first days of the Christian church, although those were days of greater difficulty and distress than Israel knew in the wilderness; nay, in the times of persecution, the Lord's Supper was celebrated more frequently than afterward. Israelites in the wilderness could not forget the deliverance out of Egypt. There was danger of this when they came to Canaan. Instructions were given concerning those who were ceremonially unclean, when they were to eat the passover. Those whose minds and consciences are defiled by sin, are unfit for communion with God, and cannot partake with comfort of the gospel passover, till they are cleansed by true repentance and faith. Observe with what trouble and concern these men complained that they were kept back from offering to the Lord. It should be a trouble to us, when by any occasion we are kept back from the solemnities of a sabbath or a sacrament. Observe the deliberation of Moses in resolving this case. Ministers must ask counsel of God's mouth, not determine according to their own fancy or affection, but according to the word of God to the best of their knowledge. And if, in difficult cases, time is taken to spread the matter before God by humble, believing prayer, the Holy Spirit assuredly will direct in the good and right way. God gave directions in this case, and in other similar cases, explanatory of the law of the passover. As those who, against their minds, are forced to absent themselves from God's ordinances, may expect the favours of God's grace under their affliction, so those who, of choice, absent themselves, may expect God's wrath for their sin. Be not deceived: God is not mocked.

Verses 15-23 This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God's presence with Israel. Thus we are taught to see God always near us, both night and day. As long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle, so long they continued in the same place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. When the cloud was taken up, they removed, however comfortably they were encamped. We are kept at uncertainty concerning the time of our putting off the earthly house of this tabernacle, that we may be always ready to remove at the command of the Lord. It is very safe and pleasant going when we see God before us, and resting where he appoints us to rest. The leading of this cloud is spoken of as signifying the guidance of the blessed Spirit. We are not now to expect such tokens of the Divine presence and guidance; but the promise is sure to all God's spiritual Israel, that he will guide them by his counsel. #Ps. 73:24 |, even unto death, ( Psalms 48:14 ) . All the children of God shall be led by the Spirit of God, ( Romans 8:14 ) . He will direct the paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him, ( Proverbs 3:6 ) . At the commandment of the Lord, our hearts should always move and rest, saying, Father, thy will be done; dispose of me and mine as thou pleasest. What thou wilt, and where thou wilt; only let me be thine, and always in the way of my duty. In applying general precepts to particular circumstances, there should be good counsel and fervent prayer. When any undertaking is evidently wrong, or doubtfully right, and yet the mind leans that way, in such a case "the moving of the cloud," as men sometimes miscall it, is generally no more than a temptation Satan is permitted to propose; and men fancy they are following the Lord, when they are following their own wayward inclinations. The record of his mercy will conduct us with unerring truth, through Christ, to everlasting peace. Follow the pillar of the cloud and of fire. Lay the BIBLE to heart, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 9

In this chapter the command for keeping the passover is repeated, and it was accordingly kept, Nu 9:1-5; but some persons being defiled and disqualified for observing it, Moses inquires of the Lord, on their solicitation, what should be done in such a case, Nu 9:6-8; when it was ordered to be kept by such, and those on journeys, on the fourteenth day of the second month, but not by others, who were to observe it according to its first appointment, Nu 9:9-14; and an account is given of the appearance of the cloud by day, and fire by night, upon the tabernacle, which directed the children of Israel when to journey, and when to pitch their tents, Nu 9:15-23.