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9:1-14 A year after Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the time came for Israel to celebrate their second Passover in the wilderness of Sinai. Those unable to celebrate it on time were given permission to do so a month later.
9:12 The bones of the Passover lamb were not to be broken (see Exod 12:46; Ps 34:20; John 19:32-36; cp. John 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7). The apostle John made reference to this instruction when reporting that Jesus’ legs were not broken on the cross (John 19:36).
9:13 If they ignored the required Passover, they must be cut off from the community. It is not clear whether this refers to the death penalty or banishment (see study note on Lev 7:20-21).
9:14 Foreigners who lived among the Hebrews and wanted to celebrate the Passover could do so by following the same laws, but circumcision was required for males who desired to eat the Passover meal (see also Exod 12:48-49).
exodus 12:6
exodus 12:46
exodus 12:48-49
exodus 13:20-22
exodus 13:21
exodus 13:21-22
exodus 13:22
exodus 14:19-20
The Cloud and Fire
The Cloud and Fire When Israel was in the wilderness, God led the nation with a pillar of cloud and fire. The pillar joined the Israelites right after the first Passover, immediately after Israel left Egypt (Exod 13:20-22). The pillar served a variety of functions. When the Egyptians pursued the Israelites, the cloud moved behind the people of Israel and prevented an Egyptian advance (Exod 14:19-20). Through the rest of Israel’s travels, it was a visible indication that “the Lord went ahead of them” (Exod 13:21). When the pillar settled over the Tabernacle and the camp of Israel, it represented the Lord’s presence and protection. The cloud and fire also provided divine guidance by indicating when the Israelites should move (Exod 40:36-38; Num 9:17-23). When the pillar was stationary, Israel stayed where they were. When it lifted and moved on, the Israelites broke camp and followed. They camped in different places for varying amounts of time, sometimes briefly and sometimes for a longer period. Israel thus “camped or traveled at the Lord’s command” (Num 9:23). The pillar of cloud and fire was like a divine banner flying over the tribes on the march (cp. 10:14, 18, 22, 25)....