What lessons can we learn from God's command in Numbers 28:16? The Verse at the Heart of Our Study “On the fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover.” (Numbers 28:16) The Historical Context • God had already instituted Passover in Exodus 12:1-14. • Numbers 28 revisits Israel’s worship calendar as the people prepare to enter the Promised Land. • Placing Passover first among the yearly festivals underscores its foundational role in Israel’s story of redemption. Lesson 1: Worship on God’s Schedule, Not Ours • The exact date—“the fourteenth day of the first month”—shows that God sets the agenda for worship (Leviticus 23:4-5). • Obedience means adjusting our lives to His timetable rather than squeezing Him into ours (Ecclesiastes 3:1). • Ordered worship guards against drifting into forgetfulness or casual treatment of holy things. Lesson 2: Never Forget the Night of Deliverance • Passover commemorated the night the Lord spared Israel and judged Egypt (Exodus 12:12-13). • Remembering past salvation fuels present faith (Deuteronomy 16:1-3). • Regular memorials keep God’s mighty acts central, turning history into hope. Lesson 3: Redemption Requires a Substitute • A lamb without defect died so Israel’s firstborn could live (Exodus 12:5-7). • This principle runs through Scripture, culminating in Christ: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). • God’s command in Numbers points forward to the perfect, once-for-all Substitute (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Lesson 4: Holiness and Community Go Hand in Hand • Passover was observed as a nation, fostering unity around shared redemption (Numbers 9:1-14). • Corporate worship shapes a holy people, not isolated individuals (Hebrews 10:24-25). • God invites His people to celebrate together; isolation dilutes remembrance. Lesson 5: Freedom Leads to Faithful Living • Passover marked freedom from bondage; the festival cycle then moved to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing a sin-free walk (Exodus 12:15-20). • Salvation is never the finish line; it launches a life of purity (Galatians 5:1, 13). • We celebrate redemption by casting out the “old leaven” of sin from daily choices (1 Corinthians 5:8). Lesson 6: Anticipation of Final Fulfillment • Jesus chose Passover for the Last Supper, transforming it into the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:7-20). • Every Passover command points ahead to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). • Obeying God’s appointed feasts nurtured Israel’s expectation; our obedience nurtures ours. Personal Application Today • Schedule regular times to recall God’s saving work—let them shape your calendar. • Anchor family and church life in corporate remembrance of Christ, our Passover Lamb. • Celebrate freedom from sin by walking in holiness, removing any “leaven” the Lord reveals. • Look forward with confidence: the God who delivered once will finish His redemption plan. |
    |