Sound the Trumpet
Numbers 10 opens with a passage about Silver Trumpets to be made for signaling the way of the camp.
Numbers 10:1–7 (ESV) The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. 3 And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 4 But if they blow only one, then the chiefs, the heads of the tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. 5 When you blow an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. 6 And when you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. 7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound an alarm.
Speaking about the gift of tongues and prophecy, Paul uses the Trumpet as an example for directing the army to war. In 1 Corinthians 14 he's encouraging the church to rather prophesy in the public meeting as it will be a clear word from God to all who hear. In a way, Paul is speaking of preaching in the Church.
The truth is, the preaching of any church drives the ministry. If the preaching does not drive that church's life forward, it is because it is weak and ineffective preaching that tickles ears rather than sounds alarms.
Looking at preaching in this light, we can reference Numbers 10 to see the value of preaching and prophesying in the Church. Preaching should move people forward where God wants them (Numbers 10:2, 7). Pastors should be discerning the Lord's will for the congregation, not just expounding his knowledge of the Bible or Greek words. Preaching should be at times for all people (Numbers 10:3) and a times only to leaders only (Numbers 10:4).
Preaching should bring God's people together as one (Numbers 10:7). Preaching should lead the way in Spiritual warfare accompanied by much prayer. Jesus started His ministry to defeat the devil's hold on people by preaching the Gospel.
Yet, preaching must not only be alarmist. There are times to preach the joy of the Lord into the life of God's people. Nehemiah did this, as did Ezra. Preaching is often dry and boring, or dour and foreboding. It doesn't always have to be like that! Christians have the GOOD NEWS to proclaim, not the bad news.
Finally, preaching is a reminder. It reminds us that before God, our sins are washed away in Christ's blood. Martin Luther said we must preach the Gospel to ourselves everyday. We must constantly remind us before the Lord that we are His by grace. We need not allow the sin of our past to define us. God has conquered for ever. We are his.
Numbers 10:1–7 (ESV) The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. 3 And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 4 But if they blow only one, then the chiefs, the heads of the tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. 5 When you blow an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. 6 And when you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. 7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound an alarm.
The trumpets were the instruments that moved God's people in the right direction. They priests, directed by Moses, would sound them.
Numbers 10:8 (ESV) And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations.
The trumpets were to be blown concerning battle as well as joyful celebration and annual festivals.
Numbers 10:9–10 (ESV) And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the LORD your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. 10 On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.”
The trumpet call was loud and direct. It was sounded at all the seasons and movements of life in the camp of Israel. And you have to think, what do these trumpets represent in the New Testament? I think Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 14.
1 Corinthians 14:8 (ESV) And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
Speaking about the gift of tongues and prophecy, Paul uses the Trumpet as an example for directing the army to war. In 1 Corinthians 14 he's encouraging the church to rather prophesy in the public meeting as it will be a clear word from God to all who hear. In a way, Paul is speaking of preaching in the Church.
The truth is, the preaching of any church drives the ministry. If the preaching does not drive that church's life forward, it is because it is weak and ineffective preaching that tickles ears rather than sounds alarms.
Looking at preaching in this light, we can reference Numbers 10 to see the value of preaching and prophesying in the Church. Preaching should move people forward where God wants them (Numbers 10:2, 7). Pastors should be discerning the Lord's will for the congregation, not just expounding his knowledge of the Bible or Greek words. Preaching should be at times for all people (Numbers 10:3) and a times only to leaders only (Numbers 10:4).
Preaching should bring God's people together as one (Numbers 10:7). Preaching should lead the way in Spiritual warfare accompanied by much prayer. Jesus started His ministry to defeat the devil's hold on people by preaching the Gospel.
Yet, preaching must not only be alarmist. There are times to preach the joy of the Lord into the life of God's people. Nehemiah did this, as did Ezra. Preaching is often dry and boring, or dour and foreboding. It doesn't always have to be like that! Christians have the GOOD NEWS to proclaim, not the bad news.
Finally, preaching is a reminder. It reminds us that before God, our sins are washed away in Christ's blood. Martin Luther said we must preach the Gospel to ourselves everyday. We must constantly remind us before the Lord that we are His by grace. We need not allow the sin of our past to define us. God has conquered for ever. We are his.
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