Israel’s departure from Sinai
March 28, 2019
Commentary
It has been two years since Israel left Egypt. Having received God’s travel instructions through Moses, Israel set out from Mount Sinai into the wilderness on their way toward the promised land. The people of Israel had camped at Mount Sinai about eleven months. They had become very comfortable living in the same place for nearly a year and not having to face the daily rigors of marching. During this time, God’s Law had been announced and the tabernacle had been constructed and dedicated. However, Israel’s history for the next 38 years (Num. 10:11- 22:1) is for the most part a record of unbelief and failure. These were years during which the people opposed Moses and rebelled against God’s will. Because of their disobedience, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 38 years, leaving behind a trail of graves as the older generation died off. Of that generation, only Joshua and Caleb survived to enter the promised land.
Just like Israel, the more comfortable we become, the less we welcome change. Yet there is usually very little or no growth without challenge and there is no challenge without change. Comfort usually leads to complacency, and complacency is the enemy of character building and spiritual growth. In each new experience of life, one of two things happens: either we trust God and He brings out the best in us, or we disobey God and Satan brings out the worst in us.
Two silver trumpets were used to keep the tribes together as they moved through the wilderness (v. 2). To keep people in right formation required clear communication and control. Trumpet blasts reminded Israel of God’s protection over them. The people of Israel weren’t on a pleasure trip, looking at scenery. They were an army invading enemy territory and commanded by the Lord of Hosts. Each tribe was a division in the Lord’s army (Num. 28) and each division had to be in its proper place. By complimenting Hobab’s wilderness skills (vv. 29-32), Moses let him know he was needed. People cannot know you appreciate them if you do not tell them, they are important to you.
Application
Life is full of changes and few things remain stable. For me, stability should not mean lack of change, but I need to be ready to move with and for God in every circumstance.
Numbers 10:1– 36 (NET)
1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 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. 3 When they blow them both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
4 “But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you. 5 When you blow an alarm, then the camps that are located on the east side must begin to travel. 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. 7 But when you assemble the community, you must blow the trumpets, but you must not sound an alarm. 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets, and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout your generations. 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.
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.”
11 On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle of the testimony. 12 So the Israelites set out on their journeys from the desert of Sinai; and the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran.
13 This was the first time they set out on their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, by the authority of Moses.
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.
15 Over the company of the tribe of Issacharites was Nathanel son of Zuar, 16 and over the company of the tribe of the Zebulunites was Eliab son of Helon. 17 Then the tabernacle was dismantled, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.
18 The standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their companies; over his company was Elizur son of Shedeur. 19 Over the company of the tribe of the Simeonites was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 20 and over the company of the tribe of the Gadites was Eliasaph son of Deuel. 21 And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary; the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived. 22 And the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out according to their companies; over his company was Elishama son of Ammihud. 23 Over the company of the tribe of the Manassehites was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 24 and over the company of the tribe of Benjaminites was Abidan son of Gideoni.
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. 26 Over the company of the tribe of the Asherites was Pagiel son of Ocran, 27 and over the company of the tribe of the Naphtalites was Ahira son of Enan. 28 These were the traveling arrangements of the Israelites according to their companies when they traveled.
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.” 30 But Hobab said to him, “I will not go, but I will go instead to my own land and to my kindred.” 31 Moses said, “Do not leave us, because you know places for us to camp in the wilderness, and you could be our guide. 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.”
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. 34 And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, when they traveled from the camp. 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!” 36 And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!”
Illustration: How our freedom is being destroyed
Our freedom is not being destroyed by terrorists, but by ignorance, apathy and complacency. Our dumbing down is not accidental but a very well organized plan. (Source Unknown).