Week 51, Day 4: The Cloud & Fire

Today’s Reading:  Numbers 9:1-23

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

We are told in this chapter that after Moses erected the tabernacle the cloud covered it.  I am often amazed at the thought of this.  Here Israel has a very visual symbol of God’s presence among them.  This was not some cloud that just happened to linger over the tabernacle.  It settle onn the tabernacle and at night it was replaced by fire.  And yet how could Israel later doubt that God would be with them in overtaking the promised land or would provide for them in the wilderness.  I am just amazed by this thought.  A cloud by day and fire by night is over the tabernacle.  When people talk about miracles being linked to people being able to have faith I sometimes think about things like this.  Here is yet again another thing through which God showed Israel that He was with them and yet they were disbelieving.  It was not enough for them.  Those who put so much stock in miracles ought to recognize this.  If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets then neither would they listen even if someone came back from the dead (a miracle). 

This cloud and fire over the tabernacle was a good way for God to tell Israel when they are to travel further or stay put.

Question:  When were people allowed to “make up” for missing the passover feast?  Some will use verses 6-12 in teaching about the second serving of the Lord’s supper.  What is different between permission being given by God for observing the Passover at a later date and a church observing the Lord’s supper at a second time or at a later date?

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