Two Ages of Redemption

“The LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season” (Numbers 9:1-3).

This account in Numbers refers to the second Passover that Israel would observe. The first one was at the time of the Exodus, this second one was a year later. Recall that in Exodus 12, when the Passover was instituted, verse 14 says, “ye shall keep it a feast … throughout your generations.” Thus, it was to be an annual observance.

Therefore, on this second occasion, “They kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai … so did the children of Israel” (Numbers 9:5).

However, there was a problem. “There were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: And … said … We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering … in his appointed season?” (Numbers 9:6, 7).

Nephesh

One point of interest in this text is that the word “body,” in verses 6 and 7, is the word nephesh, which is the ordinary word for “soul” in the Old Testament. It would be helpful if this were rendered “soul” so that it would be apparent to the reader that souls do die. Smith’s Literal Translation does do this, saying “unclean by the soul of a man,” also the Douay-Rheims Bible. Unfortunately, these are the only two versions that so render it, among the numerous ones listed on “Bible Hub.” The RVIC also clarifies the word with two footnotes, expressing “soul … nephesh, soul.”

It is helpful to remember these cases, as they affirm that souls do die. These are in addition to the well known text Ezekiel 18:4, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

What To Do?

The men who had been defiled by contact with someone who had died asked Moses for a resolution of the problem. “Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you” (Numbers 9:8). God’s answer follows in verses 9 and forward. The solution was that those unclean would wait for the next month. “The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs” (verse 11).

Verse 12 adds, “nor break any bone of it,” a stipulation also expressed in Exodus 12:46 for the normal observance of Passover. This provision is meaningful respecting Jesus. He also had no bones broken, though he suffered so many other ways in his death. Bones represent one’s hopes for the future, as for example the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. In the case of Jesus, despite the brutality visited on him, not one of his prospects for the future was in the least damaged. The record of John the apostle notes about the crucifixion that Jesus died before the close of the day, so that the soldiers did not venture to break his legs to hasten his death. John 19:36, “These things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.” The cross reference to that text includes Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12, the two texts mentioned above.

The Answer

Thus, the answer God gave to Moses was for those unclean to observe Passover a month later. This suggests, prophetically, that mankind, unclean with the sin of this world, will have a second opportunity for the cleansing of their sin. That will be in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, when mankind will collectively partake.

Notice that God’s reply was not that they could pass by the occasion. Nor can mankind avoid receiving the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice. Everyone needs to receive the ransom offering of Jesus, either in this age or in the coming Kingdom.

The day would remain the same in either case, namely, day 14. The 14th day of a lunar month when the lamb was slain, lapping after sunset into the 15th day, when the lamb was consumed, is the time of full moon. When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross, that evening as the moon arose, it was at full moon. As the moon is a reflection of the light of the sun, brethren often consider the moon symbolic of Israel and its laws, a reflection of the greater truth of the Gospel that followed the Jewish Age.

The full moon at the time of Jesus’ death represents that Israel, having Messiah present, was at the fulness of their favor. As the nation rejected their savior, their favor began to wane, just as the full moon began to wane. The first Christians were still from Israel, but subsequently Gentiles would come in, beginning with Cornelius and his family and associates. Ultimately, Gentiles would become the majority of the Bride class. Israel lost their opportunities, represented by the waning of the moon following the crucifixion.

Today Israel is being restored to favor. They still do not have the breath of faith. That will come when the Ancient Worthies are raised and point Israel to their Messiah (Micah 5:5, 6, Zechariah 12:9, 10). Then their blessings will progressively increase to a new “full moon.” Then Israel will enter into faith in Messiah and keep the Passover. The remainder of the world will gradually appreciate the blessings available, and they also will turn to Christ as their redeemer.

Thus, those who were defiled and instructed to observe Passover at the next full moon, are a fitting picture of the world thankfully entering into faith in Christ, when Israel’s favor blossoms again.