Numbers 9  The first 14 verses of this chapter bring us to the 1st month of the second year after leaving Egypt. The Lord gave the command for Israel to celebrate Passover on the 14th day of this month..So they did all that the Lord had commanded for the Passover celebration. 

There were a few people who were unclean because of the death of someone near to them.  They wanted to celebrate the Passover too, but could not. Moses asked the Lord what they could do and He allowed them to have their own Passover celebration on the 14th day of the 2nd month. 

Verses 15-23 tell about the way the Lord directed the travels of the camp.. When the cloud by day or fire by night lingered over the tabernacle the people would remain camped.  This could be a day, a month, or a year. But, when the cloud was lifted the people would move out.. traveling until the cloud settled down once again. "At the command of the Lord they camped and at the command of the Lord they set out; they kept the Lord's charge, according to the command of the Lord through Moses." (v23) 

Numbers 10:1-10  Here, the Lord adds one more way to communicate with this vast group of people.  He had Moses make 2 trumpets of "hammered work".  These were used in various ways.  Two blasts would gather all the people towards the tabernacle or for them to set out.  One trumpet would gather the "leaders, the heads of the divisions".  The trumpets were also used to sound an alarm.. for moving out or in case of war.  Verse 9 says the the alarm in that case would cause the Lord to "remember" them and that they would be "saved from their enemies." 

The trumpets would also be used for feast days, first days, burnt offerings, peace offerings "and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God." 

The sound of the trumpets must have been constant.. I can imagine the people stopping to listen at each sounding.. as they discerned what their response should be... are we gathering?  Are we moving out? Is there war?  Is there a feast? 

 We are also  listening for a trumpet sound, aren't we?  Matthew 14: 31 says, "and He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." 

What a day that will be!

Father in heaven, we are listening for the sound of the trumpet for we long for the coming of the King!  You have given us ears to hear.. and we desire to walk in Your ways.. moving when You say move and staying when You say stay.  But, like the people of Israel.. we may be uncertain.  Help us Lord to trust completely in You.. knowing that no matter what..we are Yours and You will remember us and save us. Thank You for being so gracious and kind.. So loving and patient.  We give You thanks and praise for You are our God, in heaven above and on the earth below and there is no other! Amen.