Friday, October 2, 2020

Numbers Ten

What does it say?
The Lord command Moses to make two silver trumpets for use in the camp. The sound of one trumpet assembled the leaders but the sound of both trumpets assembled the congregation. The trumpets were also used to sound an alarm for the congregation. These trumpets were to be used differently when the sons of Israel came into their promise land. They were to blow them when an enemy attacks, that they may be remembered before the Lord God and be saved. They were to blow them at their appointed feasts, on the first days of the months and over their offerings, that they may be remembered before the Lord. The sons of Israel departed Egypt and arrived at the mount of the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai. They did not depart the mount of the Lord until one year, two months and twenty days had passed since the exodus. On that day, the cloud lifted from the tabernacle and the sons of Israel set out just as the Lord commanded them. The cloud settled next in the wilderness of Paran. Thus the journey to the promise land had begun.

What does it mean?
Communication among the people of the Lord is very important. The people knew that  a single trumpet meant assembly for the leaders and two trumpets meant assembly for the congregation. The trumpets were also used to warn when the congregation was to take up camp and set out. Later, these trumpets were used as a memorial, honoring the Lord, that they remember him and he remember them. The sons of Israel had received the Lord’s commandments, now it was time to act. They had received right doctrine and it was time for right practice.

What shall I do?
We have different ways to communicate today. There are communications for the church elders and there are communications for the congregation. Our pastor emails our congregation. The elders communicate through a group messaging service. The way of communicating has changed but the purpose has not changed. Every believer should spend time reading or listening to the word of God. Then we are to take action. James, the brother of our Lord wrote in his epistle:
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ~James 1:23-24
It is not enough that we hear the word but we shall do what the word says. I believe that we are saved by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; however, we are to observe all that Jesus commanded his disciples.