Numbers 10

It is almost time for God’s people to set out from Sinai, but before doing so, God gives them instructions regarding two silver trumpets that were to be used to signal necessary, urgent responses of those within the camp. Specifically, there was one command given for when all the congregation was to be gathered, another for when God was calling just the chief leaders to assemble, a specific alarm that signaled it was time for the people to set out, still another to seek God’s protection from their enemies, and lastly, the people of Israel were to blow the trumpets on occasions in which they offered burnt and peace offerings to the LORD (vv. 3-10). In other words, the specific manner in which the trumpet(s) were blown symbolized what God desired for His people. 

“Like the Old Testament people of God, the children of God today are awaiting ‘the sound of the trumpet’ that signals our gathering together to Jesus as well as God’s declaration of war against a wicked world ready for judgment (1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-57). Until that hour, we remain a pilgrim people in this wilderness world, following His directions and serving Him faithfully.”[i] While you wait for that trumpet blast, are you listening for and faithfully responding to His call in your life? 

For the Israelites, it had been thirteen months since God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt, and eleven months since they settled at Sinai. At long last, “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” (vv. 11-12). They did so just as God had previously commanded them, with the ark of the covenant leading the way (v. 33). Brothers and sisters, be reminded that God goes before us to lead the way, granting us safe (not often easy) passage into the Promised Land.  

In verses 29-32, we read of an interesting discourse between Moses and Hobab, who was the son of Moses’s father-in-law. Moses invites Hobab to join the Israelites on the way to Canaan, for Hobab was familiar with the area. Therefore, Moses concluded that he knew where the nation of Israel should camp along the way and could “serve as eyes for” them (v. 31). After initially declining the offer, we are left to assume Hobab joined the Israelites on their journey, as Judges 4:11 speaks of Hobab’s descendants living among the Israelites. Two quick thoughts on this conversation between these two men:

·       It wasn’t that Moses didn’t trust God to provide them with all the wisdom needed to successfully make their way into the Promised Land. Rather, it appears that he looked at Hobab as a provision from God to help the Israelites. Friends, we most certainly should look to God first when seeking guidance on a matter, but let us not neglect wise, biblical companions who God has brought into our lives to complement our perceived shortcomings (even if it is innocent ignorance of a foreign land, as was the case with Moses). 

·       I have to think Moses wanted all within his sphere of influence, even distant relatives, to enjoy the blessings of the land that God had promised to the Israelites. Even after an initial rejection, Moses persisted with his invitation. Similarly, Christians today are making their way toward an indescribable land that awaits those who faithfully endure on the narrow path. Why wouldn’t we want to try to bring as many people with us as we can? (Understanding it is God, not us, who saves souls.) 

Numbers 10 closes with the following statement about Moses: “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” (vv. 35-36). Moses continually prayed to God for His protection and presence, and he was steadfast in his petitions. God’s chosen servant realized that Israel’s success on the way to the Promised Land was contingent upon these two things. I wonder whether the corporate body of Christ shares that same perspective here and now, or are we more apt to think our certain victory is somehow contingent upon our own strength and abilities? 

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       While you wait for that trumpet blast, are you listening for and faithfully responding to His call in your life? 

·       What stops you from trying to bring as many people to heaven with you as you can? 

[i] ibid