‏ Numbers 10

* The silver trumpets. (1-10) The Israelites remove from Sinai

to Paran. (11-28) Hobab entreated by Moses to continue. (29-32)

The blessing pronounced by Moses. (33-36)

1-10 Here are directions concerning the public notices to be

given the people by sound of trumpet. Their laws in every case

were to be Divine, therefore, even in this matter Moses is

directed. These trumpets typify the preached gospel. It sounds

an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to

the captives and slaves of Satan, and collects the worshippers

of God. It directs and encourages their heavenly journey; stirs

them up to combat against the world and sin, encouraging them

with the assurance of victory. It leads their attention to the

sacrifice of Christ, and shows the Lord's presence for their

protection. It is also necessary that the gospel trumpet give a

distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the end

proposed; whether to convince, humble, console, exhort, reprove,

or teach. The sounding of the trumpet of the gospel is God's

ordinance, and demands the attention of all to whom it is sent. 11-28 After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount

Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they

began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the

knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but

we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ

and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and

assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their

journey according to the commandment of the Lord, #De 1:6-8|,

and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the

direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even

when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose

their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They

went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the

wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from

one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the

better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never

at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there. 29-32 Moses invites his kindred to go to Canaan. Those that are

bound for the heavenly Canaan, should ask and encourage their

friends to go with them: we shall have none the less of the joys

of heaven, for others coming to share with us. It is good having

fellowship with those who have fellowship with God. But the

things of this world, which are seen, draw strongly from the

pursuit of the things of the other world, which are not seen.

Moses urges that Hobab might be serviceable to them. Not to show

where they must encamp, nor what way they must march, the cloud

was to direct that; but to show the conveniences of the place

they marched through, and encamped in. It well consists with our

trust in God's providence, to use the help of our friends. 33-36 Their going out and coming in, gives an example to us to

begin and end every day's journey and every day's work with

prayer. Here is Moses's prayer when the ark set forward, "Rise

up, and let thine enemies be scattered." There are those in the

world who are enemies to God and haters of him; secret and open

enemies; enemies to his truths, his laws, his ordinances, his

people. But for the scattering and defeating of God's enemies,

there needs no more than God's arising. Observe also the prayer

of Moses when the ark rested, that God would cause his people to

rest. The welfare and happiness of the Israel of God, consist in

the continual presence of God among them. Their safety is not in

their numbers, but in the favour of God, and his gracious return

to them, and resting with them. Upon this account, Happy art

thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people! God will go

before them, to find them resting-places by the way. His promise

is, and their prayers are, that he will never leave them nor

forsake them.