The Response of the Sanctuary (Numbers 7:89 to Numbers 9:14).
To the dedication of the people in all the respects described from Numbers 5:1 onwards now came the response of Yahweh their King. Firstly in the speaking of His Voice, secondly in the shining of His light, thirdly in the service of the Levites on behalf of the people (having replaced their firstborn sons), and fourthly in the Passover celebration which reminded them of, and renewed to them, the wonder of their deliverance from Egypt and His watch over them ever since.
In the first case it was with respect to Moses, in the second to the priests, in the third to the dedicated ones (the Levites), and in the fourth to the people. This is the exact reversal of the order in the previous three Chapter s.
Thus we have:
d The Voice of Yahweh the King speaking to Moses from the Mercy Seat (Numbers 7:89). This was a response to the dedication of the altar and the tribute of the princes (Numbers 7:2-88), both on behalf of the people, and its original anointing and sanctification (Numbers 7:1).
c The lighting of the lamps in the Sanctuary by Aaron and his sons symbolising the light of Yahweh shining on His people (Numbers 8:1-4). This was a response to the priests' blessing (Numbers 6:22-27).
b The compulsory dedication of the Levites to the service of Yahweh as Yahweh's guarantee of the maintenance of the cult (Numbers 8:5-26). This paralleled the dedication of the Nazirites (Numbers 6:1-21). It was Yahweh's response to the dedication of the people.
a The compulsory keeping of the Passover of deliverance by the people, by all who were clean (Numbers 9:1-14) ensuring their continual deliverance by Yahweh. As their deliverance had begun with the Passover, so would their going forward begin with it, a reminder that Yahweh was continually with them. This was Yahweh's response to their cleansing of the camp (Numbers 5). Because they were clean they could partake in His Passover with all that it signified.
The Voice of Yahweh Their King From Above The Mercy Seat (Numbers 7:89).
‘And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with him, then he heard the Voice speaking to him from above the mercy-seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him (literally ‘he said to him').'
In response to all their efforts came the Voice of Yahweh from the ‘Holy of Holies' (the Most Holy Place). The shout of a king was among them (23:21). He was responding to their dedication and the dedication of their princes. Through Moses He would speak to them personally as His people, and Moses would pass on His words through the princes. Thus the Voice was closely linked with the dedicated princes. Their dedication on behalf of the people resulted in Yahweh's positive revelatory action towards His people.
But it was through Moses that He would speak continually through the days to come as He had in the past, speaking to him as a man speaks with His friend. This was how ‘Yahweh said to Moses'. Through Moses came all of Yahweh's revelation to His people (Exodus 33:11). For this was that voice which had declared His covenant from Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1; Exodus 20:22), that terrible voice from which the people had pleaded to be spared (Exodus 20:19). They had not wanted to hear the Voice, they had only wanted Moses to hear it, and their wish was to be granted. Here was the Voice Who would one day manifest Himself more fully as the Word (John 1:1-18).
It is salutary to realise that while the fire and the cloud only symbolised what Yahweh was, His voice was essentially expressive of Himself. It was personal and real. The cloud and the fire brought home God's glory, the voice brought home the essential nature of what He was. Through that voice came His full revelation of Himself as revealed in His word.
The Voice came from the mercy seat, the propitiatory, which was between the cherubim and above the Ark in which were the covenant tablets. Here was His covenant throne. From here He dispensed mercy. When the people were fully dedicated they could be sure that they would hear His voice through His representatives the prophets, who would stand where Moses stood (Deuteronomy 18:18-19). From now on they would always have His voice if they would hear it.
All knew that there was there no representation of Yahweh. He was the invisible One, the One Who could not be portrayed by any earthly image. But from there He spoke, and it was to there that all their offerings and sacrifices were finally directed, as was brought out on the great Day of Atonement. For there finally was the point at which atonement could be made, forgiveness received, and reconciliation and peace be established.
“He said to him.” We are left to recognise that this refers to whatever Yahweh said to Moses. We have again and again the phrase ‘Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying'. This is here depicted as being spoken by the Voice from the mercy seat.