Here in Numbers 10:1-10 we see various signals used. There are different calls for assembling the congregation, or for assembling the rulers. There were different calls to be used to move camp. It was used in a certain way in battle, and it was used in the feasts and thanksgivings, to mark the months and the different sacrifices and offerings. The priests were given the duty of blowing the trumpets. Here are the verses:
"The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting. But if they blow only one, then the chiefs, the heads of the tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. When you blow an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. And when you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations. And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the LORD your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.'" (Numbers 10:1-10 ESV)The Bible also mentions using trumpets when the Israelites marched around Jericho (Joshua 6:20), when Gideon fought against the Midianite invaders (Judges 7), when Jehoiada the priest resisted the usurper Athaliah by placing the rightful king, King Joash, on the throne (2 Kings 11:13-14, that's a great story by the way), and in several other places. In 1 Corinthians 14:8 it uses the illustration, "And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?"
It's really amazing how similar this is to the way the fife and drum have been used. What we do when we play our music is not a recent invention, nor is it something that has been regarded as extra. To play the fife and drum, like playing the silver trumpets, is to move the hearts and actions of man and to send a cry to God. This had been something reserved to the descendants of Aaron, but now we have the honor to carry on this tradition.
-Peter Bringe
Memor!
Indeed, the privilege to play martial instruments and proclaim his majesty is a peculiar honor, and an awesome one. (I say awesome in the old sense, as this privilege is given to us by God, Who's judgments are awesome, terrible, and wondrous). Because I play the great highland bagpipes, I have clung to this verse: "Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!" (Psalm 150:4) The bagpipes possess not only a high peel, like the cry of many birds in flight, but also the thunderous clamor of the drones, as the sound of lightning above many waters. The instrument points me to the Sabaoth nature of the Trinity, and the victory of His heavenly host.
ReplyDelete"...His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters." (Rev. 1:15)
"Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning." (Ez. 1:11-14)
"Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, 'Glory!'
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!" (Psalm 29)