Numbers 10:1-10 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… It is the voice of Him who came preaching peace, the proclamation of those of whom the prophet speaks (Isaiah 52:7). For just as the two silver trumpets entered into every part of Israel's life, and their varied notes were always adapted to Israel's wants and position, so it is with the gospel. Its awakening power, its soothing promises, its sanctifying influence, is meant to consecrate every act of our lives, and move every thought of our hearts. Did the sound of the silver trumpets call the slothful or backsliding Israel to the tabernacle of the congregation, either to hear the will of God announced by Moses, or to worship? So does the voice of Jesus in the gospel invite us into the presence of God. It says to the slumbering heart, "Awake, thou that sleepest," &c. It says to the fearful and desponding, "Come boldly unto the throne of grace," &c. It says to the backsliding and to the guilty conscience, "Return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thy iniquity." It says, again, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock," &c. Did the sound of the silver trumpets bid Israel arise and follow the pillar of fire and cloud which went before them? So does the voice of Jesus bid us arise and journey onward. When our hearts are entangled by the secret influences of the world — when we begin to take up our rest in the love of the creature — then there is a still small voice full of warning, "Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest; it is polluted." Whensoever we rest contented with low attainments, losing sight of Him to whose image we ought to be conformed, the silver trumpets sound, bidding us press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. As, too, Israel of old was called to engage in warfare with their enemies and God's, and one use of the silver trumpets was to summon them to preparation and to the field of battle, so has the Israel of God now a great conflict to engage in — a conflict with enemies seen and unseen, and the unseen more powerful than the seen. Yet, how seldom do we realise as we ought the greatness of the conflict, and the power of our spiritual enemies! and, consequently, we are too often off our guard. Hence it is that the silver trumpets are needed to summon us to the conflict. We require to be summoned to "endure hardness," as good soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3), that we may not, like Israel of old, turn back in the day of battle, but may feel and exclaim with David (Psalm 18:32, 34, 35). And, once more, were the silver trumpets needed to consecrate all Israel's offerings, that they might be a memorial before the Lord? Oh, still more is it the gospel of Christ that does and can consecrate all acts of life and of worship! It is the word, too, of the gospel which explains to us the means of approach to God, and, still more, prepares our hearts for that communion. We should listen to the sound or the silver trumpet in every act of life, in every prayer, and over every offering. With this everything will become a memorial before the Lord. (G. Wagner.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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