Bible Pathways 2/17/2001
February 17
Numbers 10 -- 11
It was the responsibility of the priests to blow two trumpets of silver; made of a whole piece (of silver) . . . for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps (Numbers 10:2). The trumpets were long, straight tubes of silver with bell-shaped mouths. They could not be made from inferior metal, nor from silver fragments; instead they were to be fashioned from one whole piece of silver. Regardless of how far away one was from the Tabernacle, the clear tones of the silver trumpets would communicate various messages: They shall blow an alarm for their journeys. . . . and if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, then you shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and you shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your Burnt Offerings, and over the sacrifices of your Peace Offerings (10:6-10; Leviticus 23:24; II Chronicles 5:12-14; 7:6; 29:26-29; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:35,43). Whether they worshiped, went to war, or journeyed, every move of the people was to be in obedience to the various sounds of the trumpets. The two silver trumpets represent the truth of God's Word. They remind us of both the Old and the New Testaments -- each a part of the whole Word of God.
God's people are to be fully dependent upon and subject to the will of God as revealed in His Word. If our hearts are accustomed to hearing the True Silver Trumpet, His voice through His Word, we will then be in harmony with the Holy Spirit's prompting as to what we should or should not do. Our Lord assures us: When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). This will keep us from missing the will of God by running to this one or that and asking mere men what we should do next.
Our Creator is the All-Sufficient One; but, some people have an attitude of dissatisfaction, like the children of Israel (who) said, We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, besides this manna, before our eyes (Numbers 11:4-6). And suddenly, in answer to their prayers, numerous quail entered the camp. And the people . . . gathered the quails. . . . And while the flesh was yet between their teeth . . . the Lord smote the people with a very great plague (11:32-33). Having our own way can prove as disastrous for us as it did for the Israelites. God's manna was an amazingly balanced diet and it met the need of everyone.
The Apostle Paul, who gave up all the luxuries of life when he became a Christian, saying: I have suffered the loss of all things . . . that I may know Him (Christ); and then added: I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 3:8; 4:11). He urged Timothy: Having food and raiment let us be . . . content. . . . They that will be (desire to be) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (I Timothy 6:8-9).
Christ Revealed:
The two trumpets were made of silver (Numbers 10:2). Silver in the Bible stands for truth. Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
Word Studies:
10:10 solemn days means appointed feasts, festivals; 10:21 against they came means to be already erected before their arrival; 11:6 our soul is dried away means dissatisfied and discouraged.
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Optional Reading:
Luke 4
Memory Verse for the Week:
Colossians 1:16
