In Numbers 8 the Lord commands Moses to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites. They are the Israelites that belong to Him. From the age of 25 until they are 50 they are to serve the Lord. I know that Julie has a little more insight on the relevance of the Levites. I'm not sure yet...but I will stay tuned :)
In Numbers 9 the celebration of Passover is discussed. Due to the Lord's previous commands, a few individuals approach Moses because they were ceremonially unclean and unsure if they were able to celebrate Passover. The Lord gave the okay for the ceremonially unclean to celebrate Passover but they would have to wait an additional month. If someone is ceremonially clean but chooses not to Celebrate passover they are to be cut off from their people. All those crossing into the Promise Land must remember God's deliverance. This was the celebration of the one year mark from when they were freed from slavery and headed towards the Promise Land.
Chapter 9 also discusses the cloud that signaled to the Israelites when and when not to proceed. If the cloud is over the tabernacle the Israelites are to stay put and wait to proceed. Somedays this was just an overnight wait, and sometimes it was much, much longer. The Israelites followed God's commands and only proceeded when they were told to do so.
Can you imagine having a visual cue that the Lord has sent to tell you when to proceed and when to wait on things in your life. Wouldn't that be wonderful! There were many days months that the Israelites had to be patient and wait for the Lord. We are still asked in our lives today to be patient and wait on the Lord. I have been challenged with that a lot lately. I want to leap up and take control instead of letting God lead the way. I'm sure the Israelites felt much the same!
Chapter 10 describes the continued travel to the Promise Land. Trumpets blast as the now organized Israelites set off on the next part of their journey. They began as mobs of people fleeing the slavery of Egypt. They are now leaving the desert of Sinai in organized groupings.
Here is something I copied from: http://www.enduringword.com/
One would be tempted to think that after such extensive preparation-
a virtual transformation from slave people to Promised Land people-
the actual entering into the Promised Land would be easy.
This was not the case. The preparation was exactly that - preparation.
Ahead of them are the greatest challenges, challenges that can only be met by faith.
A soldier might think boot camp finishes something - but it doesn’t.
It only prepares for a greater challenge: The actual battle itself.
-nic
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