Intro: It has been two years since the children of Israel had left the slavery of Egypt.
It was commanded for them to remember. The Passover was required of all men. It was to be held in their first month (our April), on the 14th day.
Passover had certain requirements to be followed. Moses had been given specific instructions. These men were in violation of what had been declared. The most joyous time was not allowed for them. They would be left without a chance of grace!
Some believe that grace is only for a few, but grace is available to any that desire it. The Law condemns. Whether we admit to believing the Law of God, or not, we are declared sinners by our own consciences. BUT THANK GOD FOR GRACE!!! These men came to Moses, and he wisely admitted he did not know what to do, and they took their case to God.
I. The Problem of Guilt - vs. 6-8
Le 7:20 "But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people. 21 Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people".
A. The Possession of Conscience - In our day, Conscience is a lost attribute.
These men knew they were not in the condition to meet God. They knew of meeting with God, but were unable and unworthy! We need to be sensitive once again to our condition, and desire to meet with God
B. The Problem of their Condition - They had been dwelling among the dead and were unclean. They were not to approach God.
1. They were Defiled - Le 21:11
2. They were Excluded - they could not keep the Passover.
C. The Passionate Concern -Excluded from their opportunity to approach God.
1. They were Desiring - They wanted to approach God!
2. They were Desperate - They appealed to Moses.
II. The Provision of Grace - Now let’s look at vs. 9-14
Moses becomes the Advocate! A picture of the Saviour! 1Jo 2:1 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" And Moses sought an answer on their behalf.
A. The Answer - Heaven stepped forward and declared GRACE.
You were unable to meet me in the first condition, so I will give you a second!
Vs. 10 - You have been defiled, but you can still keep the passover. Rom 8:3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit".
B. The Allowance - You have fallen short, so there is a space of GRACE.
Ezr 9:8 "And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage".
C. The Acceptance - The foreigner can now approach - GRACE.
Ex 12:43 "And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44 But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof".
1. The Unworthy Guests - Strangers of the land, not a part of the family!
The nation of Israel possessed the only access to the true God. Naturally after time, foreigners, or proselytes, lived among them desiring the true God.
2. The Unavailable Provision - strangers and foreigners were banned.
III. The Presence of Glory - vs. 15-17 God first revealed His grace, and then His glory! You will never know His presence until you know His grace!
A. The Cloud - They knew God was there by the Cloud!
My greatest desire is to dwell in the Presence of God - I am not capable of bring down the cloud -I want to see God do what only he can do. Are we tired of the status quo, tired of what this world has to offer.
In Isaiah we see what His presence will do to us:
1. It will give us the right Perception Isa 6:5 "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts".
2. It will give us Provision Isa 25:4 "For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall".
3. It will give us Promises Isa 43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee".
4. It will give us Power Isa 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness".
B. The Camping - Wherever the cloud was, that is where God’s people camped!
Oh that we would camp out in cloudy days of grace. John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture".
Concl. Law was confronted with Grace. God made a second chance for man to approach Him. In the midst of defilement - A space of Grace was provided!
Do you know the Lord - If you will come to Him, He will not reject you.
If you really know the Lord, are you enjoying, camped out in His presence?
