Daily Thought

Moses had come down from the mountain armed with the law of God for the guidance of His people. It was evident that he was God’s man as his face still shone from being in the intimate presence of God. There is in Moses’ words a remembrance of the instructions for keeping the Passover, and specifically that all were to celebrate it on the fourteenth day of the first month. All the rites and ceremonies were to be observed in detail.

However, there were ‘certain men’ who on that day were defiled, through no fault of their own, as they had come in contact with ‘the dead body of a man’. These men were concerned because of their exclusion from the day of celebration and petitioned Moses and Aaron about it. There was apparently no precedent for this case. The exclusion, made by God Himself, must stand, though it seemed unreasonable that those with desire to worship should, because of an accident, be unable to do so. Moses was not able to decide what to do and wisely took the problem to the Lord. This is the best thing to do with all problems - through prayer ask God to grant us the ability to interpret correctly, and properly apply, what scripture has to say on any particular matter that concerns us.

God’s response was a great relief to all. Certainly, on the appointed day they could not participate, but such should have an opportunity to ‘offer an offering’ on the fourteenth day of the second month, provided that all the ceremonies of the occasion were observed in detail. While they would miss out on fellowship on the original day, opportunity was provided to offer to the Lord so that He, and they, should have their portion.

Not only was the specific request answered for this group for this year, but direction was given that this would hold good every year. Also to be included in such arrangements when the people had settled in the land were those who were ‘in a journey afar off’. The request had brought a much fuller answer than had been expected. We will also discover that when we take a simple question to the Lord, we receive rather more than we ask or think. So, when circumstances seem unreasonable, we may find that there is a way that the Lord will show us. Even when His word seems clear, let us check with Him that we understand it aright.