Bible Discussion Thread

NUMBERS CHAPTER 10

In this chapter, YHWH gives Moses instructions for how to use the two trumpets He tells Moses to have crafted.

They are used to:

-Call the whole congregation to appear before YHWH before the tabernacle entrance

-Call the chiefs/prince of each tribe to meet with Moses before the tabernacle entrance

-Sound the alarm in times of danger or war

-Announce the morning and evening sacrifices, and other religious feasts, new moons, and rites

-Announce it is time to pack up and move with YHWH in the cloud/pillar going before them

-Announce when it is time to stop and make camp and rest

The priests are to be the ones to blow the trumpets. It is their duty alone. The blowing of the trumpets was to be an important aspect of their religious life as well as corporate life as a nation.

I love how Matthew Henry relates the blowing of the trumpets with the speaking forth of the Gospel, that people may hear and believe; that believers will be gathered together by the Gospel to worship and fellowship.

The Chapter then speaks about how the camp is to break up and follow YHWH in the pillar/cloud. There is a specified order for the tribes to align behind the presence of God to set out towards the promised land. The ark of the covenant goes first carried by the designated Levites for that task. Then, four tribes, with Judah heading up the ranks. Following these comes the group of Levites assigned to carrying all the curtains and boards, and such for the tabernacle. Next, four more tribes come behind the tabernacle. Then comes the Holy of Holies and all of its furnishings carried by the High Priest and designated Levites. Then the rear is taken up by four more tribes. This order was to used every time they broke camp and began to go forward at the command of Moses.

Moses knew that it was time to move one because the glory of the Lord would rise up above from the tent of meeting and then take the first place in the procession in the pillar of fire and cloud.