Then comes in Numbers 9 a special provision in case of any impurity by passing through the wilderness which might hinder the Passover to be taken at the right season. It is the resource of grace, and is only found here. It might be acted on, as in fact it was at a later day. The principle of it may be seen in the historical books, but it was a province growing out of the condition by the way.
We see Jehovah would not lower His end or His ways. On the one hand the Passover must be kept – the remembrance of the death of Christ is necessary everywhere. There is no pathway out of the world without the death of Christ which was kept in Egypt. Nor could they have left Egypt without the Passover. They could not have been delivered across the Red Sea without the blood of the Lamb first. The death of Christ is the necessary and only possible foundation for any blessing from God; but besides, when they are in the wilderness, the death of Christ is just as necessary. Where indeed is it not necessary? When we enter Canaan, there we find the Passover meets us in the foreground (Josh. 5). Everywhere the death of Christ is essential – as for God’s glory, so for man’s blessing. On the other hand, supposing they were not in a fit condition through defilement, Jehovah here makes a special provision for it. He would not lower the Passover by dispensing with its absolute obligation; but at the same time He would pitifully consider the circumstances of the way which might hinder its practicability.
The end of the chapter brings before us another provision of goodness – the people’s call to unlimited
dependence on the Lord’s guidance. This was represented first of all by the cloud, their guide by day, as
the pillar of fire was by night. And mark this: no circumstances, no times, no difficulties, lessen the necessity for Jehovah’s guidance.
Supposing night comes with its darkness: what then? The guidance of God is only so much the more conspicuous. Can we doubt that the light was rather brighter by night than by day? I speak not of it intrinsically, but in the eyes of man.
Whatever may be the trial, the Lord will be with us, if we really look to Him; and the greater the need, so much the more manifest will be His guidance. All we want is that the heart be really simple in dependence on Him. At His command therefore they rest; at His command they journey. If it stopped but for a little while, so did they; if it abode longer, so they rested; but they were ever to be at Jehovah’s commandment. They were privileged to expect His bidding continually. Blessed dependence! May it be ours!