This Sunday we will celebrate what the bible calls: “Second Passover” (in Hebrew: Pesach Sheni). It’s an important date that many aren’t aware is actually mentioned in the Bible, it is in Numbers 9:6-12.
In ancient times, When the Israelites were wandering through the desert after their exodus from Egypt, they naturally experienced loss, with many having to bury their loved ones by themselves right there in the desert. That would entail having to deal with dead bodies, which was considered an unclean activity according to Law (requiring them to be cleansed afterward), and they were forbidden from celebrating Passover while in an unclean state.
But the desire to serve the Lord and celebrate his appointed feast was so great, that people were conflicted and brought this issue before Moses:
Some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean on account of a dead body. So they came to Moses and Aaron that same day and said to Moses, “We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the Lord’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”
Numbers 9:6-7
The desire to honor and serve God must be so great, that you’re not willing to settle! You push through until God makes a way for you to serve Him even when circumstances don’t allow it.
And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”
Notice Moses didn’t say he would consult the elders, he didn’t search for a solution within himself or around himself — he went directly to God for the solution, but not before asking people to “stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command…”
When things are unclear, we are called to stand still and hear how the Lord will direct us.
Moses went to intercede on behalf of the people of Israel, and brought back an answer from the Lord:
Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight.”
Numbers 9:9-11
What was God’s message through the “Second Passover”?
The message is that our God is the God of second chances! He gave the Israelites that couldn’t serve Him on an appointed time another opportunity to bring their offerings the second time around. You can serve God, you can rejoice and celebrate what you couldn’t the first time around.
If you feel like you missed out on something that God tried to do in your life, your church, or your family – God will always give you another opportunity to do things right. With Him it is never too late.
What is truly amazing about this feast is that it wasn’t actually initiated by God, it was the people who approached God looking for that second chance to celebrate, to worship, to serve Him.
God honored that! He gave people that second chance called: Pesach Sheni — Second Passover.
How powerful is it to know we serve the God of second chances, that even when we think we missed the boat, God will honor our desire to make things right and give us another chance, a new beginning!
May the God of second chances bless your life with a “Second Passover”!