Numbers 10 ORDER IN COMMUNICATION Uncertain sounds of information lead to misunderstanding and chaos among the Lord's people. God had a designated way to communicate to His people in the camp of Israel so there would be clarity and no confusion. He had two trumpets of silver made that would give a clear, sharp sound rather than the muted sounds that came from the ram’s horns. Two trumpets sounding across the camp would call everyone together. One trumpet sound would call the leaders together at the Tabernacle. An alarm sound would mean those on the east would go forward and the second alarm would be the signal for those on the south to fall in line for the march - and so on. A clear trumpet sound was essential for giving directions either in warnings, instructions or for festive reasons.
The written word of God for us is for the same reasons the trumpets were used by Aaron's family for the children of Israel. The testimony of God is unmistakable when the Holy Spirit of God uses those "clear sounds of guidance" for us today through the truths taught in the scriptures. Those who herald out the Gospel and those who teach the Word of God to His people must be sure that what they say comes from God, not from their personal ideas or opinions. When the word of God is followed, the work of God is coordinated in such a way as to have things done orderly.
For the tribes of Israel to move ahead on their own initiative without the trumpet sound was wrong and it would only generate confusion. On the other hand, if the trumpet sounded and some refused to move, that also would be wrong and hinder the movement of all of God's people. To act in haste because we are tired of waiting for divine guidance, affects far more people than myself. And to procrastinate because of fear or a comfortable situation, or for any other reason for that matter, hinders the progress of many others.
We are to be submissive to divine testimony in all of our movements. There are times of waiting that may frustrate our ambitions, but are for our good. Paul, the apostle, was many years in preparation before he was moved out to fulfill the work to which he had been called. We need to wait for God's signal to move ahead. That will come when the Spirit and the Word of God give us positive assurance as to the action we must take. Those actions are not decided by us as to what we want or think, but of simply obeying God.
Many today resist divine authority and act without waiting on God's communication and seek to do the work of God in the energy of the flesh. Others do not act when they should go ahead because they are afraid of making a mistake. We are to walk with God and live for Him by faith. When we do this, we can expect unmistakable guidance even though we don't know the outcome of a matter or where it will lead us.
Christians often wonder what to do because they see a lot of activity going on around us that seems to be successful and a lot of people are involved in what seems like a joyful work. The trumpets did sound to call Israel to enjoy the festivals of the Lord and they came together with anticipation of a good time together. Those same silver trumpets sounded when there was an attack against God's people. They also sounded at unexpected times when God wanted them to leave what they were doing and move ahead to a different place to do a different work. When one is willing to do God's will, there will be no question as to waiting, nor will there be when it is time to make a change.
The time for Israel to move forward came on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year. There was no guessing as to what to do. Instructions had been clearly given previously. Now they had to act on what they had been taught. When the cloud lifted off the Tabernacle, all the tents in the camp were dropped and everything was packed up for the move. Of special interest this first time was the conversation Moses had with his brother-in-law, Hobab. For some reason Moses wanted Hobab's guidance in the wilderness. True Hobab lived there and would have known each valley where there was pasture for the animals. But Israel was being guided by God. It is not stated whether Moses doubted God's guidance or whether he was just showing family interest toward Hobab. In this march from Sinai the ark was carried out in front of the whole nation. The place where it would normally have been was in the middle of the moving tribes each in their own order and place. In grace, on this occasion God moved in front as the ark led the way. It is possible for us to know what is right and still look to men for further assurance beyond what God has already told us.
Order in the forward movement of the nation of Israel followed the set pattern as God had intended. Judah, Issachar and Zebulun went first at the sound of the trumpet. Following them came the families of Gershon and Merari carrying the Tabernacle that had been dismantled. When the cloud stopped, those families would quickly erect the Tabernacle so that after Reuben, Simeon and Gad swung off to the south, the Kohathites could immediately place the furniture of the service of God in place in the Tabernacle. Then the three following tribes turned to the north and the other three stopped on the west side of the Tabernacle in an orderly fashion. God's things done in God's way is a wonder to behold.
On this first march it was a wonderful act of God's grace that He went before them. The ark of the covenant was used on that occasion to search out a resting place of the nation. It wasn't Hobab who was used to the wilderness who found the right place for God's people. It was God Himself. God's ways and thoughts are not ours. We need to wait for the guidance of God's communication to us lest we act in haste and make a serious mistake by relying on the flesh or on the guidance of men only. Each movement God intends from us needs to have divine guidance from "the silver trumpets" of His Word guided by the wisdom and teaching of the Holy Spirit. "Cursed is man who trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm..."
What God may allow in His grace on one occasion because of our immaturity or lack of experience, may not be allowed on another occasion. The plans and purposes of God are given to us in His Word. It is not our prerogative to adapt them to what we feel is expedient. That first move of the camp of Israel after being in one place for eleven months would have stood out as a very special event, because now they had the Tabernacle in their midst. The things that happen at the beginning of a work leaves lasting impressions that stay with God's people for generations. We must commit ourselves to acting on the order of "the silver trumpets" of God's Word lest we step out of the path of God's will that leads to a "resting place" for God's people.