When you sound short blasts, the camps that lie on the east side are to set out. When you sound short blastsThe phrase "When you sound short blasts" refers to the use of trumpets, specifically silver trumpets, as described earlier in Numbers 10. The Hebrew root for "sound" is "תָּקַע" (taqa), which means to blow or thrust. This action was a significant part of Israelite culture, serving as a means of communication. The short blasts, or "teruah," were distinct from other trumpet sounds, such as the long blast or "tekiah." Historically, the use of trumpets was crucial for signaling different events, such as assembling the congregation or preparing for battle. The short blasts specifically signaled the movement of the camps, indicating a readiness to follow God's guidance. This highlights the importance of obedience and attentiveness to God's instructions, as the Israelites were to move only at His command. the camps that lie on the east side
The phrase "the camps that lie on the east side" refers to the specific arrangement of the Israelite tribes around the Tabernacle. The tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun were positioned on the east side, as detailed in Numbers 2. The east side was significant because it was the direction of the sunrise, symbolizing new beginnings and hope. In the broader biblical narrative, the east often represents the direction from which God's glory appears, as seen in Ezekiel 43:2. The positioning of these tribes on the east side underscores their role as leaders in the march, with Judah, in particular, being the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would come. This arrangement reflects God's sovereign plan and order, emphasizing that each tribe had a specific role and place within the community, just as each believer has a unique role within the body of Christ. are to set out
The phrase "are to set out" indicates the action of breaking camp and beginning a journey. The Hebrew root "נָסַע" (nasa) means to pull up, as in pulling up tent pegs, and by extension, to set out or journey. This action was not merely a physical movement but a spiritual act of faith and trust in God's leading. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness was a test of their obedience and reliance on God. Setting out required readiness and willingness to follow God's presence, represented by the cloud over the Tabernacle. In a broader spiritual sense, this phrase encourages believers to be prepared to move and act according to God's direction, trusting in His timing and provision. It serves as a reminder that the Christian life is a journey of faith, requiring continual dependence on God's guidance and a readiness to follow His call, wherever it may lead. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who received instructions from God on how to organize the camp and the journey. 2. IsraelitesThe people of God, who were journeying from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. 3. The Camps on the East SideRefers to the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, who were camped on the east side of the tabernacle. 4. TrumpetsSilver trumpets were used for signaling the movement of the camps and for other ceremonial purposes. 5. Mount SinaiThe location where the Israelites received the Law and instructions for their journey. Teaching Points Order and ObedienceGod is a God of order, and He provides clear instructions for His people. Just as the Israelites were to respond to the trumpet blasts, we are called to listen and respond to God's guidance in our lives. Communication and ClarityThe use of trumpets highlights the importance of clear communication. In our spiritual lives, we should strive for clarity in our communication with God and others. Preparedness for MovementThe Israelites had to be ready to move at the sound of the trumpet. Similarly, we should be prepared to act when God calls us to move or change direction in our lives. Community and UnityThe coordinated movement of the tribes emphasizes the importance of unity and working together as a community of believers. Symbolism of TrumpetsTrumpets in the Bible often symbolize God's presence and action. We should be attentive to the ways God signals His presence and direction in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the use of trumpets in Numbers 10:5 reflect God's desire for order and communication among His people? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are listening for God's "trumpet calls" in our own lives today? 3. How does the concept of being ready to move at God's command challenge our current lifestyle or mindset? 4. What parallels can we draw between the unity required among the Israelite tribes and the unity needed within the church today? 5. How do other biblical references to trumpets (such as in Revelation) enhance our understanding of their significance in Numbers 10:5? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19The use of trumpets is also seen at Mount Sinai, where the sound of a trumpet signaled the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 14Paul discusses the importance of clear communication, using the metaphor of a trumpet giving a distinct sound. Revelation 8Trumpets are used as a symbol of divine intervention and judgment in the end times. People Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Hobab, Issachar, Kohathites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Raguel, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, ZurishaddaiPlaces Paran, SinaiTopics Alarm, Blast, Blow, Blown, Camping, Camps, East, Eastward, Encamping, Forward, Journey, Journeyed, Lie, Loud, Note, Pitched, Placed, Shout, Sounded, Tents, TribesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 10:1-7 5213 assembly Library November 17. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Went Before Them" (Num. x. 33).
"The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them" (Num. x. 33). God does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. How beautifully we read, in the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth, but Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying …
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 10:5 NIVNumbers 10:5 NLTNumbers 10:5 ESVNumbers 10:5 NASBNumbers 10:5 KJV
Numbers 10:5 Commentaries
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