Numbers 10
The Blowing of Trumpets
10:1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 10:2 “Make two trumpets of silver; you are to make them from a single hammered piece. You will use them for assembling the community and for directing the traveling of the camps. 10:3 When they blow them both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tent of meeting. 10:4 “But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you.
Moses was to make two trumpets of silver. When both trumpets were blown, the entire community was to report to Moses. If one trumpet was blown, then only the leaders were to report to Moses.
10:5 When you blow an alarm, then the camps that are located on the east side must begin to travel. 10:6 And when you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that are located on the south side must begin to travel. An alarm must be sounded for their journeys. 10:7 But when you assemble the community, you must blow, but you must not sound an alarm. 10:8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout your generations. 10:9 If you go to war in your land against an adversary who opposes you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
Trumpet alarms were to signal the departure for travel across the wilderness. The alarm would also be used to call Jehovah to battle against the enemies of Israel.
10:10 “Also in the time when you rejoice, such as on your appointed festivals or at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with your trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings, so that they may become a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”
Trumpets were to be blown during the festivals.
The Journey From Sinai to Kadesh
10:11 On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle of the testimony. 10:12 So the Israelites set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran.
The Shekinah Glory left the camp. Israel was on their way to the Promised Land. It was about an eleven day journey from Mount Sinai to Canaan.
Judah Begins the Journey
10:13 This was the first time they set out on their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, by the authority of Moses.10:14 The standard of the camp of the Judahites set out first according to their companies, and over his company was Nahshon son of Amminadab.10:15 Over the company of the tribe of Issacharites was Nathanel son of Zuar, 10:”16 and over the company of the tribe of the Zebulunites was Elion son of Helon. 10:17 Then the tabernacle was dismantled, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.
The departure from the camp was very organized. Judah left first, followed by Issachar and Zebulun. Next, the Merarites marched in line, carrying the Tabernacle.
Journey Arrangements for the Tribes
10:18 The standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their companies; over his company was Elizur son of Shedeur. 10:19 Over the company of the tribe of the Simeonites was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 10:20 and over the company of the tribe of the Gadites was Eliasaph son of Deuel. 10:21 And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary; the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.
Rueben set out of camp next, followed by Simeon and Gad. Then, the Kohathites carried the furniture of the Tabernacle.
10:22 And the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out according to their companies; over his company was Elishama son of Ammihud. 23Over the company of the tribe of the Manassehites was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 24and over the company of the tribe of Benjaminites was Abidan son of Gideoni.
Ephraim marched out of camp next, followed by Manasseh and Benjamin.
10:25 The standard of the camp of the Danites set out, which was the rear guard of all the camps by their companies; over his company was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 10:26 Over the company of the tribe of the Asherites was Pagiel son of Ocran, 10:27 and over the company of the tribe of the Naphtalites was Ahira son of Enan. 10:28 These were the traveling arrangements of the Israelites according to their companies when they traveled.
Dan was the next to march out of camp, followed by Asher and Naphtali.
The Appeal to Hobab
10:29 Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things for Israel.” 10:30 But Hobab said to him, “I will not go, but I will go instead to my own land and to my kindred.” 10:31 Moses said, “Do not leave us, because you know places for us to camp in the wilderness, and you could be our guide. 10:32 And if you come with us, it is certain that whatever good things the Lord will favor us with, we will share with you as well.”
Moses did not need his father-in-law to lead him. The Shekinah Glory was leading Israel.
10:33 So they traveled from the mountain of the Lord three days’ journey; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord was traveling before them during the three days’ journey, to find a resting place for them. 10:34 And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, when they traveled from the camp. 10:35 And when the ark traveled, Moses would say, “Rise up, O Lord! May your enemies be scattered, and may those who hate you flee before you!” 10:36 And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!”
The Shekinah Glory led Israel across the desert toward the Promised Land. The Shekinah Glory was an air-conditioned cloud by day and a heating and lighting system of fire by night.