The Blowing of Trumpets, 1-10
10:1 The LORD spoke to Moses: 10:2 “Make two trumpets of silver; you are to make them from a single hammered piece. You will use them for assembling the community and for directing the traveling of the camps. 10:3 When they blow them both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
10:4 “But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you. 10:5 When you blow an alarm, then the camps that are located on the east side must begin to travel. 10:6 And when you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that are located on the south side must begin to travel. An alarm must be sounded for their journeys. 10:7 But when you assemble the community, you must blow, but you must not sound an alarm. 10:8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout your generations. 10:9 If you go to war in your land against an adversary who opposes you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
10:10 “Also in the time when you rejoice, such as on your appointed festivals or at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with your trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings, so that they may become a memorial for you before your God: I am the LORD your God.”
The Journey From Sinai to Kadesh, 11-12
10:11 On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle of the testimony. 10:12 So the Israelites set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran.
Judah Begins the Journey, 13-17
10:13 This was the first time they set out on their journey according to the commandment of the LORD, by the authority of Moses.
10:14 The standard of the camp of the Judahites set out first according to their companies, and over his company was Nahshon son of Amminadab.
10:15 Over the company of the tribe of Issacharites was Nathanel son of Zuar, 10:16 and over the company of the tribe of the Zebulunites was Elion son of Helon. 10:17 Then the tabernacle was dismantled, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.
Journey Arrangements for the Tribes, 18-28
10:18 The standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their companies; over his company was Elizur son of Shedeur. 10:19 Over the company of the tribe of the Simeonites was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 10:20 and over the company of the tribe of the Gadites was Eliasaph son of Deuel. 10:21 And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary; the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived. 10:22 And the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out according to their companies; over his company was Elishama son of Ammihud. 10:23 Over the company of the tribe of the Manassehites was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 10:24 and over the company of the tribe of Benjaminites was Abidan son of Gideoni.
10:25 The standard of the camp of the Danites set out, which was the rear guard of all the camps by their companies; over his company was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 10:26 Over the company of the tribe of the Asherites was Pagiel son of Ocran, 10:27 and over the company of the tribe of the Naphtalites was Ahira son of Enan. 10:28 These were the traveling arrangements of the Israelites according to their companies when they traveled.
The Appeal to Hobab, 29-36
10:29 Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place about which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things for Israel.” 10:30 But Hobab said to him, “I will not go, but I will go instead to my own land and to my kindred.” 10:31 Moses said, “Do not leave us, because you know places for us to camp in the wilderness, and you could be our guide. 10:32 And if you come with us, it is certain that whatever good things the LORD will favor us with, we will share with you as well.”
Hobab son of Reuel – the latter was also known as Jethro.
‘Who is really leading the people at this point? God? Yes: we are told in verse 33 that the Ark of the Covenant, representing the very presence of God, is going before them as they move, and the cloud of God’s presence is seen by day and the pillar of fire by night. God is in charge. What about Moses? He was appointed by God, and in verse 35 we see that he has the authority to say when they are going to leave and where they will stop and camp. So what about Hobab? In verse 31, Moses says to him, ‘You will be our eyes. You know where the water is, you know where the oasis is; you have the local expertise. Moses has God’s authority, God’s presence and God’s guidance, yet he asks for Hobab’s eyes. He is confident in God but doesn’t despise human expertise and wisdom.’ (McQuoid, Elizabeth. Food for the Journey. IVP. Kindle Edition.)
God has given each of us a work to do for him. Perhaps, like the Israelites, he is calling you to begin a new venture. Spend time in God’s presence; seek his guidance. But remember, God has strategically placed mature believers in your life so you can learn from their wisdom and experience. Be humble, be ready to learn from others, recognize that ‘You are Christ’s body – that’s who you are! . . . Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything’ (1 Corinthians 12:27, msg).
McQuoid, Elizabeth. Food for the Journey. IVP. Kindle Edition.