The Old Testament is crucial for all of God’s people.
A walk through Numbers chapter 10 for an understanding of Jesus through the Scripture
“in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:52
Here’s the thing. If we only focus on Christian worship and not in-person church worship, we’re missing instruction and connection with the Church of Christ. Similarly, if we are only focused on church attendance and not reading His Word daily on our own, we are missing instruction and connection with Christ Himself. And also, if we only focus on the New Testament teachings and ignore the Old Testament for fear of legalism or considering that it only applies to a certain group of people, then we are missing the foundations of the promises God has established for us with His Son in His plans to create one people of God. There should be no Old Testament and New Testament separations in the Word of God. He doesn’t change His mind and decide to start again. He is the same from everlasting to everlasting, faithful to the core in all of His promises and decrees. We are missing the heart of God of we do not take the “Old Testament” seriously.
That being said, yesterday I read Numbers chapter 10 and it was so exciting to me that I just had to share! If you haven’t read it already, I encourage you to read through It quickly on your own before continuing, since I am only pulling certain verses to share notes in this post.
When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting.”Numbers 10:3
Right away in the chapter, in verse 3, we see the foreshadowing of 1 Corinthians 15:52, which foreshadows His final day of deliverance to come. On the last sound of the trumpet, “the whole community” will assemble at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Most readers will ignore this and think “well, this is due to ancient ritual, not applicable to us today.” Well, let me ask you then, why would God include it and leave it there for thousands of years if it was not significant? And “the whole community” is not just ancient Israel or for Jewish people today to be able to continue their rituals.... the One Who is in control would not have left this Scripture in this text if it were not for His people. Are you one of God’s people? Then He considers you part of the community that will assemble, too. There are many books removed from the Bible when it was rewritten and revised.... but this is not one of them. Why? Because the One Who is in all control is talking to you, to me, to us. You cannot call yourself a Christian and not a child of God, right? So, as children of God, adopted into the family through the blood of Christ, we are now part of His people - His community. He’s explaining to us how we will be gathered at the gate on His day!
““The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come.” Numbers 10:8
Before Jesus, Aaron and his sons were the priests of Israel. However, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, He is now our High Priest, presenting us to the Lord as His living sacrifice continually so that we might find favor with God despite our sin. When the priests are mentioned in the “Old Testament,” the Lord is foreshadowing our eventual perfect Priest, our Lord. From this verse, He is explaining to us that it will be our Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will blow the trumpets to assemble the community.
“Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.”” Numbers 10:10
The trumpets are sounded at His appointed feats throughout the year. We know by this verse when God will sound His trumpet. Remember, He does not change from everlasting to everlasting. He is God, not human with changes ideas and spontaneity. What He plans, He will fulfill in a way that our human minds could never understand, but by His grace, He has given us a timeline. He gave the people of Israel an outline of the coming of Jesus for hundreds of years, too, and they failed to listen to His plans. Let’s stop ignoring what He’s blessing us to understand!
“They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.”Numbers 10:13
This first time, was through Moses. The time to come will be at the Father’s command through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord has given us all a down payment of His inheritance through the Holy Spirit. Listen to the Spirit and He will tell you when to go. “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt”
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20
“Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for 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 to Israel.”” Numbers 10:29
Once assembled, we will set out for the Holy Land. We should be mindful on our walk with Jesus to encourage everyone we can to come with us.
“He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.”” Numbers 10:30
Many people will refuse. Don’t let it discourage you. It’s important to remind them not to count their home or their friends or family as more important than God’s will for them. We shouldn’t ever get too comfortable.
“But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.” Numbers 10:31
When others refuse the call, don’t let it derail you from your mission. Some non-believers may need continual pleading to join. Don’t let them return to their old lives so easily.
“If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.”” Numbers 10:32
The Lord is gracious! Not only to the people of Israel, but He has graciously extended His covenant to all foreigners in the land - to the Gentiles! All who were created by Him can serve Him and be a part of this community that will one day be assembled forevermore if they are willing!