Numbers 9:8

And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.

And Moses {H4872} said {H559} unto them, Stand still {H5975}, and I will hear {H8085} what the LORD {H3068} will command {H6680} concerning you.

Moshe answered them, "Wait, so that I can hear what ADONAI will order concerning you."

“Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied.

And Moses said unto them, Stay ye, that I may hear what Jehovah will command concerning you.

Commentary

Numbers 9:8 captures a pivotal moment during Israel's wilderness journey, showcasing Moses' role as mediator and God's readiness to provide specific guidance for His people. This verse reveals a crucial principle of seeking divine counsel when faced with unique or challenging circumstances that fall outside established laws.

Context

This verse comes immediately after a group of men approached Moses and Aaron, expressing their dilemma. They were ceremonially unclean due to touching a dead body, which, under the Law, prevented them from observing the Passover at its appointed time (Numbers 9:6). Their concern, voiced in Numbers 9:7, was: "Why are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?" Moses’ response in Numbers 9:8 demonstrates his immediate reliance on God for answers to complex legal and spiritual questions that arose from the practical application of the Law.

Key Themes

  • Seeking Divine Guidance: The primary theme is the necessity and availability of direct divine input when faced with situations not explicitly covered by existing law. God's law was comprehensive, but human circumstances often required specific clarification.
  • Moses' Role as Intercessor: Moses consistently functioned as the primary intermediary between God and Israel. Here, he takes the people's concerns directly to the LORD, embodying the role of a faithful leader who brings his flock's needs before God. This mirrors his intercession on other occasions, such as after the golden calf incident in Exodus 32.
  • Patience and Prudence: Moses' command to "Stand still" is a call to wait, to pause and not act impulsively when faced with uncertainty. It emphasizes the importance of seeking divine counsel before making decisions, especially in spiritual matters.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Stand still" translates the Hebrew word ‘amad (עָמַד), which literally means to stand, remain, or endure. In this context, it carries the connotation of pausing, waiting patiently, and refraining from action until clear divine instruction is received. It's a call for calm, trust, and attentive listening before proceeding.

Related Scriptures

The outcome of Moses' inquiry is significant: God provides specific instructions leading to the institution of the Second Passover (Pesach Sheni), allowing those who were unclean or on a journey to observe it one month later (Numbers 9:9-12). This demonstrates God's grace and flexibility within His covenant, ensuring that all who desired could participate in His appointed feasts.

Practical Application

For believers today, Numbers 9:8 offers a timeless lesson. When faced with spiritual, ethical, or practical dilemmas, or when unsure how to proceed in faith, the best course of action is often to "stand still" – to pause, pray, and seek God's wisdom through His Word and prayer. It reassures us that God is concerned with our specific circumstances and is willing to provide clear direction when we earnestly seek Him. It highlights the value of spiritual leadership and the importance of waiting on the Lord, a principle echoed in passages like Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 27:5 (4 votes)

    And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.

  • Psalms 85:8 (4 votes)

    ¶ I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

  • Proverbs 3:5 (2 votes)

    Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

  • Proverbs 3:6 (2 votes)

    In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

  • Psalms 25:14 (2 votes)

    The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23 (2 votes)

    ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:4 (2 votes)

    For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.