Numbers 9: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Numbers 9 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. He instructed the children of Israel to keep the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at evening. Moses told them to follow all the statutes and ordinances of the Passover.

Key verse

“‘If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep the Passover to Yahweh; according to the statute of the Passover, and according to its ordinance, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.’”
Numbers 9:14 (WEB)

Outline

Numbers 9:1–5 Instructions for Passover Observance
Numbers 9:6–14 Provision for the Unclean and Foreigners
Numbers 9:15–23 The Divine Presence and Guidance

Discussion questions

In v5, what actions do the children of Israel take regarding the Passover?
What does Yahweh command in v10 for those who are 'unclean'?
In vv. 13-14, what tension exists regarding who must keep the Passover?
The cloud's role in vv. 17-22 raises questions about what aspect of Israel's journey?
When have you felt 'unclean' or unprepared to participate in a communal event?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 9: Exodus 12, Exodus 40, John 19.

Before next time: read Numbers 10.