Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 8-10.
When the time came for the Israelites to observe the Passover, a few of them were unable to observe it. They questioned Moses as to what they could do:
“But there were some men who were unclean because of the dead person, so that they could not observe Passover on that day; so they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. Those men said to him, ‘Though we are unclean because of the dead person, why are we restrained from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the sons of Israel?’ Moses therefore said to them, ‘Wait, and I will listen to what the Lord will command concerning you’” (Numbers 9:6-8).
The Lord then revealed to Moses a provision for those who were unable to observe the Passover at the appointed time (Numbers 9:9-12). This was not to be used as a loophole for those were able to observe but neglected it (Numbers 9:13). But God made an exception for those who were unclean or away on a journey.
What I want us to notice here is not the exception, but Moses’ reply to these men when they questioned him about what they could do in this situation.
Moses did not have an answer for them when they asked. But he did not ignore their question, nor did he rebuke them for asking. He did not try to use his best judgment to come up with a good answer. He also did not consult Aaron, the Levites, or popular opinion. Instead, he said: “Wait, and I will listen to what the Lord will command concerning you.”
When questions arise for us today that we cannot answer, we must immediately do as Moses did: find out what the Lord has said first. Turn to the Bible and see what teachings are contained in it that would help answer any question that might arise.
Tomorrow’s reading: Numbers 11-13
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
