Calling The People Together

Calling the People Together

Q: What did God tell Moses to use in order to call the people together?

• a. a ram’s horn
• b. two silver trumpets
• c. a large drum

How do you know when it’s time for school to start? If you are homeschooled, your mom or dad tells you it’s time to begin. If you go to a public or private school, there’s a bell that signals the start of school. There may be a tardy bell to let you know you didn’t make it in time too.

Moses had a bigger challenge than signaling the start of school. He had to let millions of Israelites know when it was time to gather for an informational meeting or to pack up and move out. One trumpet blast meant only the leaders of the clans of Israel were to assemble at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Two blasts meant everyone should gather.

There was a different signal that meant pack up and move. When the signal blew the first time, the tribes east of the Tabernacle would break camp and move forward. When the signal blew again, the tribes on the south would move. The trumpets were also sounded for war, at festivals, at the beginning of each month, and when offerings were given to God.

The trumpets were an important part of the Israelites’ journey. It would be hard to get the attention of so many people in order to give instructions. This was the way God instructed Moses to do it.

For You

Today God gives us instructions through his Word and through the people in authority in our lives. Maybe sometimes it would be easier to understand what God wants if he’d use trumpet signals, but if you try to do the things you already know God wants you to do and tune in to him, it will be easier to understand the other things he plans for you to do.

Answer: b

The LORD said to Moses, “Make two trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community to assemble and for signaling the breaking of camp.”   Numbers 10:1-2

(The Whole Story: Numbers 10:1-10)