Numbers 10:1-10 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… We have here directions concerning the public notices that were to be given to the people upon several occasions — by sound of trumpet. In a thing of this nature one would think Moses needed not to have been taught of God, his own reason might teach him the convenience of trumpets; but their constitution was to be in everything Divine, and therefore even in this matter, as small as it seems. Moses is here directed — I. About THE MAKING OF THEM They must be made of silver; not cast, but of beaten work (as some read it); the matter and shape no doubt very fit for the purpose. He was now ordered to make but two, because there were but two priests to use them; but in Solomon's time we read of an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets (2 Chronicles 5:12). The form of these trumpets is supposed to be much like ours of this day. II. WHO WERE TO MAKE USE OF THEM. Not any inferior person; but the priests themselves, the sons of Aaron (ver. 8). As great as they were, they must not think it a disparagement to them to be trumpeters in the house of God; the meanest office there was honour. able. This signified that the Lord's ministers should lift up their voice like a trumpet, to show people their sins (Isaiah 58:1), and to call them to Christ (Isaiah 27:13). III. Upon WHAT OCCASIONS THE TRUMPETS WERE TO BE SOUNDED. 1. For the calling of assemblies (ver. 2). Thus they are bid to blow the trumpet in Zion, for the calling of a solemn assembly together, to sanctify a fast (Joel 2:13). Public notice ought to be given of the time and place of religious assemblies, for the invitation to the benefit of ordinances in general. "Whoever will, let him come." Wisdom cries in the chief places of concourse. But that the trumpet might not; give an uncertain sound, they are directed, if only the princes and elders were to meet, to blow only one of the trumpets; less should serve to call them together who ought to be examples of forwardness in anything that is good. But if the body of the people were to be called together, both the trumpets must be sounded, that they might be the farther heard. In allusion to this, they are said to be blessed that hear the joyful sound (Psalm 89:15), i.e., that are invited and called upon to wait upon God in public ordinances (Psalm 122:1). And the general assembly at the great day will be summoned by the sound of the archangel's trumpet (Matthew 24:34). 2. For the journeying of the camps; to give notice when each squadron must move, for no man's voice could reach to give the word of command. Soldiers with us, that are well disciplined, may be exercised by beat of drum. When the trumpets were blown for this purpose they must sound an alarm (ver. 5), a broken, quavering, interrupted sound, which was proper to excite and encourage the minds of people in the marches against their enemies; whereas a continued equal sound was more proper for the calling of the assembly together (ver. 7). Yet when the people were called together to deprecate God's judgments we find an alarm sounded (Joel 2:3). At the first sounding, Judah's squadron marched; at the second, Reuben's; at the third, Ephraim's; at the fourth, Dan's (vers. 5, 6). And some think this was intended to sanctify their marches; for this was proclaimed by the priests, who were God's mouth to the people, not only the Divine orders given them to move, but the Divine blessing upon them in all their motions. He that hath ears let him hear that God is with them of a truth. 3. For the animating and encouraging of their armies when they went out to battle (ver. 9). "If ye go to war blow with the trumpets"; signifying thereby your appeal to Heaven, for the decision of the controversy, and your prayer to God to give you victory; and God will own this His own institution, and you shall be remembered before the Lord your God. God will take notice of this sound of the trumpet, and be engaged to fight their battles; and let all the people take notice of it, and be encouraged to fight His; as David, when he heard a sound of a going upon the tops of the mulberry-trees. Not that God needed to be awaked by sound of trumpet, no more than Christ needed to be awaked by His disciples in the storm (Matthew 8:25), but where He intends mercy it is His will that we should solicit for it. Ministers must stir up the good soldiers of Jesus Christ to fight manfully against sin, the world, and the devil, by assuring them that Christ is the Captain of their salvation, and will tread Satan under their feet. 4. For the solemnising of their sacred feasts (ver. 10). One of their feasts was called the feast of trumpets (Leviticus 23:23, 24). And it should seem they were thus to grace the solemnity of all their feasts (Psalm 81:3), and their sacrifices (2 Chronicles 29:27), to intimate with what joy and delight they performed their duty to God, and to raise the minds of those that attend the services to a holy triumph in the God they worshipped. And then their performances were for a memorial before God; for then He takes pleasure in our religious exercises when we take pleasure in them. Holy work should be done with holy joy. ( Matthew Henry, D. D..) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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