TEXT: Numbers 9:1-5; 10:33; 2 KINGS 23:21 Numbers 9:1-5
1And 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,
2 Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.
3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
4 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
5 And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
Numbers 10:33
And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.
2 Kings 23:21
And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.
OPENING REMARK
I welcome you to our second Covenant sermon in Jesus name. I pray that the blessing of God will be upon you, your family, and everyone connected with you and our church in Jesus name. Everyone reading this message on hardcopy and online, this new year will be a great year of covenant with the Lord and blessings from Him in Jesus name.
INTRODUCTION
We are coming to Numbers 9:1-5. We are looking at the remembrance and commemoration of the Passover that was instituted for the children of Israel who had been in captivity for a long time and it was time for God to bring them out according to the promise He made to Abraham. Many miracles happened after God spoke to Pharaoh through Moses to let His people go. He did not allow them to go because he wanted them to remain captives and slaves until that final night. The Lord instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel to take lambs and apply their blood to their lintels, and they will be spared by the Angel of death when he passed by. That night was to be the night of Passover because they would go out of captivity and be free forever. The firstborns of all Egyptians died, but nothing happened to the families of the children of Israel. It was to be a Covenant between God and the people, and every year, they were to remember what God did for them. That is why we are looking at the message titled
KEEPING THE PASSOVER UNTO THE COVENANT-KEEPING GOD.
Ch 10:33. The ark of the Covenant of the Lord and pillars of cloud and fire went before the people in a three-day’s journey to seek a resting place for them. This is what happens after we give our lives to Christ and His blood is applied to our hearts. He leads and guides us by His Spirit and word as we come to Him and find rest for our souls after passing through the wilderness into the perfect and pleasant land.
2 Kings 23:21. Many years have passed and the people are being reminded not to forget how they came out of captivity and slavery, they were settled and the king told them to still keep the passover to commemorate their leaving the land of captivity. Same for us, after leaving the bondage of sin, we must remember between our salvation and heaven – how God delivered us from the bondage of sin and ensure that we do everything as it is written in the Book of the Covenant.
- DIVINE PRECEPT AND PROVISION IN THE PASSOVER (Numbers 9:2-5)
Divine precepts are laws and commandments of God and they are not to be joked with.
- The Precept from the Lord of the Covenant (Exodus 12:21-23,50; Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Matthew 28:20; Acts 10:33)
We need to understand the principle behind this. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
A substitute was needed and it was the lamb who will be sacrificed in their stead. And they must stay inside the house, and not be outside so that they will be spared when the Angel of destruction comes. Staying inside the house is also staying under the protection of the blood. Only the blood of the has the power to save us from all sin.
You need to repent and turn away from the corrupt lifestyle.
Matthew 28:20. As instructed by the Lord, we must teach the people to repent and believe on the gospel and on the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they will be saved.
Acts 10:33. It was in the house of Cornelius. God instructed him to send for Peter to come and preach the gospel to him and his household. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, so, Cornelius needed to be saved and come under the covering of the blood.
- The Purging of the Leaven of Corruption (Numbers 9:11; Exodus 12:15,19-20; Luke 12:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8,11)
Leaven symbolizes sin, corruption and transgressions. We were commanded to purge out every corruption and evil in our lives and in our midst. If there is evil and corruption in our lives, knowing that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, we must purge out the old life and take up a new life and attitude and character. We must never boast in anything because
Therefore, we majt keep our feast, not with the old, but the new leaven of righteousness, after all, we have come from darkness to light, and from the control of the devil to that of our Lord and Saviour. Thus, we are loyal, honest, faithful and true.
vs 11. We are commanded not to keep company with anyone who remains in sin and indulges in all kinds of evil acts.
- The Provision for Lives Under His Covering (Exodus 12:28-30; Psalm 91:1-4; Hebrews 6:17-18; 1 John 2:24,28-29)
In this New year, there will be provision in your life and family in Jesus name. It is not right to be a child of God, and still live like an Egyptian.
Because Moses obeyed the word of God, and passed it to the people, that was what spared them from death. As we hear the word of God, all who need to repent must repent. It takes obedience to the word for salvation to come.
After the people of God had obeyed Him, applied the blood and stayed indoor, the Angel of destruction came and s’more all the firstborns of Egypt, but all firstborns of Israel were spared. If you are in the church and not saved, and you are not sure of a particular day you were saved, you will not be spared from the coming destruction.
Psalm 91:1-4. Only those who abide in Christ, not those going from place to place, gathering information from here and there will be saved and spared. Only those who believe Jesus and trust His salvation plan will be saved from danger and destruction. They will be spared from the diseases and sicknesses of the Egyptians. Only the truth can save and shield us from perishing. When you say where the Lord keeps you, the arrow of the Lord will not get to, or pierce you. The Lord will shield and protect you, but you must remain in the Lord, abide where He is, do only those things He would do, and you are safe.
vs 16. With long life will the Lord satisfy you. If Jesus tarries, you will see the end of this year.
- DIVINE PRESENCE AND PROTECTION THROUGH TO THE PROMISE LAND (Numbers 9:15-23)
During the day, the pillar of cloud protected them from the scorching sun. In the night, the pillar of fire gave them light and also protected them from dangerous animals.
- The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire (Exodus 13:21-22; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 31:15; Nehemiah 9:19-21)
With the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night the Lord led and protected the children of Israel in their journey to the Promise Land. God will protect and shield you from every form of danger in the day, and in the night.
At that time, there were no road maps, or any sign, but the pillars were all that they needed to lead them. In any decision you make, you must ensure that
This year, you will lack nothing. Every need in your life, family and spiritual life the Lord will meet. Every swelling in your body is taken away.
- The Presence of Christ and the Purging by Fire (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12)
In your life, He will be with you,…
Some people say that the power of Christ ended with the last Apostles, but the Lord said He will be with us till the end of the world. Whether our Pastors are there or not, He will never leave or forsake us… This year, we will see the provision of the Lord.
The Lord is our Helper and we will not fear whatever men can do to us.
Malachi 3:2. His fire will purge away every chaf, every useless and everything that has no meaning in our lives.
- The Purity of Christians and their Protection by Fire (Acts 11:26; 15:9; 1 Peter 4:12-16; Zechariah 2:5,7-8)
God will be a wall of fire round about you.
This year, you are God’s property and He will make a wall of fire around you. You and all yours are protected. You will keep yourself away from the defilement of the daughters of Babylon.
For years, some people have threatened us to bend to them…
Show that you believe and they will not be able to touch you.
- DIVINE PLAN AND PRESERVATION OF HIS PECULIAR PEOPLE (Numbers 10:29-36)
Everyone who comes with me shall receive all the blessing the Lord has promised and provided for me.
- Replenishing for the Journey to the Pleasant Land (Numbers 10:29,32; Deuteronomy 8:3-19; Nehemiah 9:11-15,19-25; Jeremiah 3:19-22)
We are going together on a journey to the pleasant land.
- Repentance for the Journey to the Promise Land (Numbers 10:29-31; Judges 1:16; 1 Chronicles 2:55; Jeremiah 35:1-8,14,16,19)
The sons of Rechabites are descendants of Hobab, the father in law of Moses.
- Recommitment for our Journey to Paradise, the Perfect Land (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 2:7,25-29)
