Numbers 10:1-10
The Lord instructed Moses to make a couple silver trumpets. These are obviously not the shofar ram's horn we often think of when a horn is blown. These would be used for giving direction to this massive camp. The priests were the ones to blow the trumpet.
- Both were blown to call a meeting at the door of the tabernacle.
- One was blown to gather the leaders to Moses.
- There was a specific way to sound the advance. The tribes to the east would move out first; Judah Issachar and Zebulun.
- The second advance called the troops on the sound to move out; Reuben, Simeon and Gad.
- Another distinct sound was a call to assembly.
- They would also sound the alarm when going to war.
- The trumpet would be blown in times of gladness and feasting.
- They would be blown over burnt offerings, peace offerings.
Numbers 10:11-28
At this point, it had been 13 months since they left Egypt – around May. This next section documents 38 years of travel in the wilderness, from Sinai to the plains of Moab.
The march was orderly and specific. I wonder how long it took to move out. I wonder how long it took to take down the tabernacle.
Numbers 10:29-32
In Ex 2 Moses Father-in-law was Reuel. In Ex 3 his name was Jethro. Here, his name is Hobab. The in-law term is not specific to father-in-law. It could be brother or cousin as well.
Moses apparently thought that Hobab's assistance in guiding them would be important. Moses may be seeking this help because he doesn't understand how the cloud would guide them.
This seems to suggest Moses and Hobab took the ark and journeyed ahead to scout out the land on a three day trip.
The song Moses sang was called The song of the Ark. The first line matches Psalm 68:1.
© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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