Numbers 10:1-7: a reflection

1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps. 3When they blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 4If they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. 5When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall go forward. 6When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall go forward. They shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 7But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.

God directs Moses to make two silver trumpets, to be used for calling the congregation and for signaling the camps to set out. Different signals meant different things: a certain blast to gather the whole assembly, another to gather only the leaders, an alarm to signal the camps to move out. The people were to listen for these signals and respond rightly to each, gathering when called to gather, moving when signaled to move, attentive to what each call meant and responding accordingly.

Notice what the trumpets required of the people: attentive listening and right response to each call. The signals were distinct, each meaning something different; and the people had to listen attentively, distinguishing the calls, and respond rightly to each, gathering or moving as the signal directed. They could not respond carelessly, or the same way to every signal; they had to attend to what each call meant and respond accordingly. God gave clear signals, and the people were to listen and respond rightly, attentive to his call.

That attentive responsiveness is worth taking to heart, for God still gives us clear calls, and we are to listen and respond rightly. God calls us, directs us, signals to us in various ways, through his word, his Spirit, his providences; and we are to be attentive to his calls, distinguishing them, and responding rightly to each, as Israel responded to the trumpets. We can be inattentive, missing or confusing God's calls, or responding carelessly; but the people were to listen and respond rightly to each signal. Be attentive to God's calls, listening for his direction and responding rightly to it, rather than being inattentive or careless; when God calls you to gather, to move, to act, listen and respond rightly, as Israel attended to the trumpets and responded to each call, gathering or moving as God directed. Cultivate an attentive responsiveness to God's calls, ready to hear and to respond rightly, as the people listened for the trumpets and responded to each signal accordingly.

Lord, you direct Moses to make two silver trumpets, to be used for calling the congregation and for signaling the camps to set out. Different signals meant different things: a certain blast to gather the whole assembly, another to gather only the leaders, an alarm to signal the camps to move out. The people were to listen for these signals and respond rightly to each, attentive to what each call meant. Show me what the trumpets required of the people: attentive listening and right response to each call. The signals were distinct, each meaning something different; and the people had to listen attentively, distinguishing the calls, and respond rightly to each. They could not respond carelessly, or the same way to every signal. You gave clear signals, and the people were to listen and respond rightly. Take that attentive responsiveness to my heart, for you still give me clear calls, and I am to listen and respond rightly. You call me, direct me, signal to me in various ways, through your word, your Spirit, your providences; and I am to be attentive to your calls, responding rightly to each. I can be inattentive, missing or confusing your calls, or responding carelessly; but the people were to listen and respond rightly. Help me be attentive to your calls, listening for your direction and responding rightly to it, Lord, rather than being inattentive or careless. Help me cultivate an attentive responsiveness to your calls, ready to hear and to respond rightly.