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Listen To What The Lord Command - Numbers 9
Listen To What The Lord Command - Numbers 9
In Numbers 9, we see Israel observing the Passover as the Lord had commanded that they do. There were some though who were 'unclean' because of being in contact with a dead person. They were thus unable to partake of the Passover. They then ask Moses, the man of God, the prophet of God about not being allowed to partake of it.
It is interesting that Moses does NOT immediately reply; instead he answers: "Wait, and I will listen to what the Lord will command concerning you.”" (Numbers 9:8). Moses the lawgiver did NOT speak on his own authority. Moses, who received, revealed, and wrote down the Law of God, did not presume to speak for God.
This should have set an example for all the people. Later, the Proverb said: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:5–6).
Moses himself would later warn concerning a prophet that would dare to 'speak presumptuously', that is, apart from a revelation from God: "‘But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die" (Deut. 18:20).
When Moses addressed the second generation of Israel, he solemnly warned them: “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2). Then he repeated the warning: “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it." (Deut. 12:32).
Later, the Proverb said: "Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar" (Proverbs 30:5–6).
Even later, Jeremiah would deal with the prophets that spoke when God had NOT spoken to them: "Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who are prophesying in My name, although it was not I who sent them—yet they keep saying, ‘There will be no sword or famine in this land’—by sword and famine those prophets shall meet their end!" (Jer. 14:14–15). And again: "So do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you, saying, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they prophesy a lie to you; for I have not sent them,” declares the Lord, “but they prophesy falsely in My name, in order that I may drive you out and that you may perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you.”" (Jer. 27:14–15).
If Moses would not speak until the Lord had spoken, why do men today speak where God has not spoken? Rather, " Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God" (1Pet. 4:11). If God has NOT spoken, let us not presume to speak for Him.
Hugh DeLong
