Numbers 10:1-10

The average American probably uses an alarm clock to wake up with in the morning. This may be a ringing, or buzzing sound or even pleasant music. For our brothers and sisters in the armed forces, this wakeup call can be a lot more jarring, as Reveille calls the camp to life with a trumpet blast. There is no hesitation, when the call is sounded; it’s time to wake up!

I am beginning to understand and appreciate the scope of Moses' job. We aren't talking about rescuing a few dozen people from pharaoh's land, not even a few hundred, but thousands upon thousands of men, women, children, animals and their possessions. What an undertaking, and no wonder Moses was so hesitant when God first called him, no wonder he questioned his ability to take on this assignment.

The prospect of taking a family vacation is daunting at times. The idea of packing enough provisions for the trip, rounding everyone up and taking care to ensure all arrangements have been made before hitting the road can be exhausting. Contrast this with the duty Moses had been given and it seems like a walk in the park. But there is one thing that is necessary in both situations: law and order.

Someone has to be in command and someone has to lay out the rules for order to exist. This holds true on a family holiday and on a much larger scale it was true for the journey Moses was preparing to take. Life is filled with rules to obey, laws to observe to maintain order in our lives. The scripture today tells of the command for Moses to have two silver trumpets made. These trumpets were to be used to coordinate the tribes as they moved through the wilderness. These trumpets also reminded the people of God’s protection over them.

The LORD said to Moses: “Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. (Numbers 10:1-2)

These trumpets make various sounds and using different pitches and tones the people learned what was required of their next move. If we read the paragraph before these verses today we learn God would tell them when to journey further and when to stay put for a season. But when he gave the signal to move on, the trumpets were to be used to call everyone to readiness. The trumpets gave the order to pack up and prepare to move out.

Is there a trumpet sounding in the distance for you this day? Is God trying to get your attention or call you back in line with the rest of His people? Is this a wakeup call?
Read the Numbers 10:1-10 text here.  Listen to an audio version here.