The Lord is On the Move | Numbers part 10

When the Trumpet of the Lord Shall Sound | Numbers 10:1-10

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting. But if they blow only one, then the chiefs, the heads of the tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. When you blow an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. And when you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations. And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

Numbers 10:1-10

A couple of weeks ago we took a look at the lamps that were made for the tabernacle and saw how lamps and light are a motif throughout Scripture. The lamps that lit the tabernacle represent God’s light and His Holy Spirit who gives that light.

Today, we have another seemingly innocuous element that will become a major theme throughout Scripture—trumpets. The trumpet is used to call Israel to move their camp in Numbers and warn of danger. Later, it will continue to be a tool for calling Israel to worship (either by a silver trumpet or a ram’s horn depending on the time period), and it is a tool for warning of disaster or war. It also is used in corporate worship. Many psalms call the people to worship the Lord with trumpets, lyre, and all manner of other instruments.

Then, in the New Testament, Jesus tells us that at the end of the age, the Lord will sound a trumpet calling the angels to gather up His elect “from the four winds, form one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31). Paul further expands on this end of the age event in his letters, and of course, John’s vision gives even more detail of this time. In whichever part of Scripture we are reading, we see:

The trumpet call is always a call to action from God to His people.

We also can note making the trumpets is the last bit of preparation before Israel sets out towards the Promised Land. Everything that is necessary for Israel has been accomplished, and so Moses is to commission these trumpets as the final call for the people to begin their journey. And yet, the same instrument that will call them to move camp is the same instrument that will be used for warning of war.

Where are the people headed?

This last week, Pastor Bob and I went to the District Conference at E Free, and the keynote speaker offered this question to us, “What did you sign up for?” I wonder if the Israelites knew what they were signing up for. The promise from God was liberation and a Promised Land that flows with milk and honey, but there was also the tiny issue of the land already being inhabited by people that didn’t belong there.

Today, we have a very similar problem. We love the idea of heaven and a Promised Land waiting for us, but how many of us are ready to do battle on our way there?

Do you picture the Christian life as a cruise ship or a battleship? I believe my favorite line the speaker gave was in reference to when we are persecuted and ridiculed in our ministry—“What did you think you were signing up for?”

The Israelites were out of Egypt and headed to a new land to create a new nation—one that would look and act different than anything else in the world. Building a nation takes work! One of the great ironies of Numbers is in the beginning of the book, Moses is told to take a census of who could go to war. Then, in 10-14, the people complain and get scared about the people already inhabiting the land. I can imagine Moses saying, “Why did you think I counted the soldiers???”

We are headed to a new and better life, a new heaven and new earth, can we not expect some work involved in such an endeavor? We are called to overcome the powers of darkness through the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s Resurrection. Why are you surprised when the darkness tries to fight back???

God’s people are promised a blessed ending, not an easy journey.

Who’s coming with us? | Numbers 10:11-36

In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses.

Numbers 10:11-13

It took ten chapters, but finally the people are headed out. Notice the cloud settles ahead of them in the wilderness. Just as was foretold, the cloud moves ahead, and the people follow its path.

It is worth noting their departure is the second year and second month, on the twentieth day. In the last chapter, the Lord gave concession for those who were unclean during Passover they could observe the Passover in the second month on the 14th day. The Lord does not move the cloud until a week after the alternative Passover event.

In just a short bit, disunity will break out in the camp of Israel, but here we see the Lord is patient for every member of the camp to be ready to move. The next section describes how they set out, and it is just as they were instructed. Then, in verse 29, we see Moses extend an invitation.

And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.” But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.” And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you.”

So they set out from the mount of the Lord three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.

And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”

Numbers 10:29-36

Moses tells his brother-in-law to join Israel as they journey. The Lord is going to bless Israel, and Moses invites Hobab to join in that blessing. Hobab declines the offer, though, opting to head back to his homeland. The text is slightly unclear in this, though. Moses makes his case, and then the text just says “they.” It would seem like maybe Moses convinced him, but there is no mention of Hobab later.

Now, there is also the sticky question of who this guy actually is. You may recall from Exodus 2 and following, Moses’ father-in-law is named Jethro. It is Jethro that gives Moses advice and direction. Now, fast forward to Numbers, we have Hobab as another Midianite advisor. Later, in Judges, Hobab is called Moses’ father in law.

There are a number of solutions to resolve the dilemma, and most center on how we render the Hebrew text. It is well worth knowing Hebrew, in its original form, does not have vowels. The consonants are written down, and we are supposed to know how to pronounce the words based on context and teaching. It wouldn’t be until at least 600 AD that Hebrew took on vowel points. The word for “father-in-law” and the word for “brother-in-law” have the same spelling, just different pronunciations. By way of illustration, what is this English word?

“Read”

Next, is this word present tense or past tense? Without me putting it in a sentence, there’s no way to know.

This type of study is known as textual criticism. The goal is to determine (if possible) what the original text was. This phenomenon in biblical studies is why the EFCA adopts this doctrinal stance:

We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.

EFCA Statement of Faith, Article 2

Also, for those who shy away from this type of discussion for fear of what may be found in textual criticism, there’s no need to be afraid. The New Testament alone has about 20,000 lines of text. Only 40 of those have disputes in what the text originally read—none of which put Jesus back in the tomb. One writer said it best with, “These 40 lines represent a quarter of a percent of the entire text and do not affect the teaching or the doctrine of the New Testament in any way.” Now, there are thousands of textual variants. That number gets passed around quite a bit. Those variants, though, are by far spelling and grammar variants. The only thing they prove is people couldn’t spell thousands of years ago any better than they can spell today.

Now, more important to the story at hand is this:

There has always been an invitation for those outside of God’s people to join the camp and reap the benefits of being part of God’s family.

The Lord is doing something wonderful in this world. His Creation was corrupted and taken captive by sin and death. He is currently spreading His Kingdom throughout the world having conquered sin and death through His Son Jesus Christ. We are invited to participate in His Kingdom by putting our faith in Jesus.

Once again, God’s people are on their way to the Promised Land. This land is not some geographic location, though. It is a new era and new Creation that is available to all who call on the Name of the Lord and are saved. You are invited to join with us for the ride. Yes, there will be some bumps in the journey, but the bumps are worth the destination.