numbers 9-10

Today’s reading forms a chiastic structure:

Num 9:15-10:34
1A: Num 9:15-16, The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire covered the tabernacle;
1B: Num 9:17-23, Israel journeyed and encamped at the command of YHVH;
CENTRAL AXIS: Num 10:1-10, The two silver trumpets;
2B: Num 10:11-33, Israel set out on their journey by their encampments;
2A: Num 10:34, The pillar of cloud was above them by day.

Yesterday’s central axis was about the seven lamps of a golden lampstand, and today’s central axis is about two silver trumpets! The golden lampstand sheds light to see, and silver trumpets produce sound to hear. These are not insignificant or accidental details!

So far in Scripture, trumpets:

1) Have announced the coming of the LORD, Exo 19-20;
2) Are blown as a memorial (pay attention to the repetition) on the Feast of Trumpets, Lev 23:23-25;
3) Are blown to announce the Jubilee year on the Day of Atonement, Lev 25:9.

To this list we add today’s reading, where the silver trumpets are blown:

1) To call together the congregation or the leaders;
2) To sound the advance of the journeying of Israel;
3) As an alarm when going out to war, for remembrance before God;
4) As a joyful sound in days of gladness, feast days, and new moons, for a memorial before God.

Begin a page of references, one for the seven lamps of the golden lampstand, and one for the two silver trumpets, and add to them as we progress through the Scripture, for God is revealing something significant that we want to see!

For further study: The chiastic structure posted with yesterday’s reading does continue through today’s. The full structure is from Num 1:1-10:36, and yesterday’s structure is the central part of it. Can you finish it? Do the pairs added today reveal anything significant?

Finding Messiah:

So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. Num 10:33

There is one of the signs of the Messiah, three, showing up again! The ark of the covenant of the LORD contained the tablets of stone, the Law of God, is covered by the mercy seat. It is Messiah who is the Word of God made flesh (Joh 1:1, 14). Yes, even the Law of God is Messiah, as His Law is also His Word! But His Law, His Word, is always covered by mercy – is that not the gospel?

Notice that it is the ark of the covenant that goes on a three days’ journey, to search out a place of rest for Israel!

On the third day, Messiah was raised to life in triumph over hell, death, and all the power of the devil, and the place of rest His covenant provides for Israel, is returning Israel to the tree of life (rest) and delivering Israel from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (works)!

For further reading:
Yom Teruah and the Two Silver Trumpets – Batya Wootten

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