Numbers
chapter 10 describes the importance of the silver trumpets and the
obedience of the nation to move according to God’s leading. The
chapter begins, “Make
two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the
community together and for having the camps set out“.
Coming together and moving out together, two things we seem to have
a hard time doing on our own. God explains the various signals for
the entire nation to assemble and for the leaders only. There are
different signals for the groups in the north to move and signals for
the groups in the south to move. God says, “The
sons of Aaron, the priest are to blow the trumpets“.
He also lists some of the times to use the trumpets: “When
you go into battle… blast the trumpet… then you will be
remembered by the Lord your God and you will be rescued from your
enemies. At the times of rejoicing…appointed
feasts…festivals…over your offerings… it will be a memorial for
you before your God“.
It is impossible to miss the importance of the sound of the trumpets
for believers in Christ. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 describes the
return of Christ. Jesus’ second coming will be as a warrior, He will
signal the moving out of the church with “the
trumpet call of God“.
“After
that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will
be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these
words.”
Even when we see ugliness and evil around us, we need to remember to
keep an ear tuned to listen for God’s call. He is faithful.
The
rest of the chapter describes the obedience of the nation to move as
God commanded. “On
the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud
moved from above the tabernacle… then the Israelites set out from
the desert of Sinai“.
And notice, they do not move directly to the Promised Land, “They
came to rest in the desert of Paran. They set out the first time, at
the Lords command“.
Sometimes the first time we set out is the hardest. In my life, it
seems God knows how weak I am. Often He has called me to move in
baby steps. Be still and listen. Is God calling you to set out to
do something?
All
of the tribes of Israel move out under their standard and according
to the place God commanded. Funny how organized and well things work
when they follow God’s plan! We then read something interesting,
Moses said to Hobab, son of Ruel the Midianite (Moses’
brother-in-law)…”We
are setting out to the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give
to you’. Come with us and we will treat you well“.
Hobab answered, “No,
I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people“.
Moses does not hesitate to invite him again, “We
will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us“.
Is there a “Hobab” in your life? Ask again!
Finally
we read, “The
ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three
days to find them a place of rest“.
If you are in need of a place of rest, perhaps it is time to be
obedient to God’s calling?