A Desire To Observe

A desire to observe.  In part of our reading today, we have a dilemma.  There were some that had become unclean because of a human corpse, and because of that, they would be considered ceremonially unclean and unable to observe the Passover (Numbers 9:6). So, they ask Moses, “Why should we be excluded from presenting the lord’s offering at is appointed time with the other Israelites?” (v.7).  Now, according to Scripture, the Passover was to be held on the first month of the year, on the fourteenth day (Exodus 12:2-11, Numbers 9:1-5, Deuteronomy 16:1-8).  Moses brings the matter before the Lord and God responds to Moses: “When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a corpse or is on a distant journey, he may still observe the Passover to the Lord.  Such people are to observe it in the second month, on the fourteenth day at twilight” (v.10-11).  We learn a couple of things from this account.  First, God’s holiness matters.  God did not say that the Passover celebration trumps the need for holiness and righteousness, and, therefore, not to worry about being defiled, which represents sin.  No! The people were unclean because of the corpse and had to abide by the commands of God in order not to defile the Lord.  However, we also see a desire of the people to observe this holy day.  So, in essence, a second Passover, a make-up day if you will, was instituted specifically for those who met the conditions specified.  Anyone who was ceremonially clean, but failed to observe the Passover, the “main” one or the first one, was to be cut off from the people (v.13).