As we can imagine, moving a vast number of people was never going to be easy, and so, God instructs Moses to make two silver trumpets, Numbers 10:1-2, which, when blown, would certainly get everyone’s attention. These trumpets were different from the ram’s horn trumpets, which were used in reference to worship.
Cook, in his commentary, says the following concerning why there were only two trumpets.
‘It was because, at that time, Aaron had only two sons, and when the number of priests greatly increased at a later date, the number of trumpets was increased; there were seven in the times of Joshua and 120 in the times of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 5:12.’
When trumpets sound, the whole community is to assemble before Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, Numbers 10:3. If only one is sounded, the leaders, that is, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to assemble before Moses, Numbers 10:4.
When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out, Numbers 10:5. At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out.
The blast will be the signal for setting out, Numbers 10:6. To gather the assembly, they are to blow the trumpets, but not with the signal for setting out, Numbers 10:7.
The sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar, Exodus 6:23, have the responsibility for blowing the trumpets, and this is to be a lasting ordinance for Israel and the generations to come, Numbers 10:8.
At this time, there were only two ‘sons of Aaron’, but in later times, when the number of priests was greater, more trumpets were used. We read of seven trumpets, that is ram horns, in the days of Joshua, Joshua 6:4, and of a hundred and twenty in the days of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 5:12.
When Israel goes into battle in their own land against an enemy who is oppressing them, sound a blast on the trumpets, Numbers 10:9. Then they will be remembered by God and rescued from their enemies, Numbers 10:9.
We know when the Lord returns, the trumpet will be blown, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. In times of rejoicing and appointed festivals and New Moon feasts, they are to sound the trumpets over their burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for them before God, Numbers 10:10.
Budd, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The cloud in Numbers 9:15-23 represents the divine initiative in leadership, the trumpets constitute the response of the human leadership as it summons the congregation to gather at the tent and signals the moment of advance for each tribal group.’
After being at Mount Sinai for a year now, Exodus 19:1, notice that the ‘cloud lifted up’, Numbers 10:11 / Numbers 9:15-16, which meant it was time to move. Israel set out from the Desert of Sinai and travelled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran, Numbers 10:12. They set out, this first time, at the LORD’s command through Moses, Numbers 10:13 / Numbers 9:17-23.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This was three days’ journey from the wilderness of Sinai, Numbers 10:33, and the people had three stations; the first at Kibroth-Hattaavah, the second at Hazeroth, Numbers 11:35, and the third in the wilderness of Paran, Numbers 12:16.’
The listing of the tribes by their leaders was to set the order of their march throughout the wilderness, Numbers 2:1-31. The camp of Judah went first, under their standard and Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command, Numbers 10:14.
Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar, and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun, Numbers 10:15-16. Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out, Numbers 10:17.
The camp of Reuben went next, under their standard and Elizur son of Shedeur was in command, Numbers 10:18. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad, Numbers 10:19-20.
As we have mentioned in previous chapters, some commentators suggest that the name Deuel, Numbers 10:20 / Numbers 2:14, should actually be the name Reuel.
Jethro, that is, Reuel, Moses’ father-in-law, eventually returned to Midian. Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things, and the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived, Numbers 10:21.
The camp of Ephraim went next, under their standard, and Elishama son of Ammihud was in command, Numbers 10:22. Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh, and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin, Numbers 10:23-24. Finally, as the rear guard for all the units, the camp of Dan set out under their standard, and Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command, Numbers 10:25.
Pagiel son of Okran was over the division of the tribe of Asher, and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali, Numbers 10:26-27. This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out, Numbers 10:28.
Hobab, Numbers 10:29, one of Jethro’s sons, however, stayed with the Israelites while they were at Mount Sinai. But when the Israelites were moving on, Hobab also decided to return to his father’s house in Midian.
Notice that Moses wants Hobab to go with Israel, Numbers 10:29, but Hobab refuses as he wants to return to his own land and people, Numbers 10:30. Moses pleads with him not to leave because of his knowledge of the wilderness, Numbers 10:31. Moses promises him if he goes with them, then Israel will share with him whatever good things the LORD gives them, Numbers 10:32.
Moses’ perseverance convinced him to stay with Israel, and the proof of this is seen that his descendants are mentioned to be living in Canaan many years later, Judges 1:16 / 1 Samuel 15:6.
Thompson, in his commentary, says the following concerning Hobab.
1. Hobab is here called a Midianite, but in Judges 4:11, he is said to be a Kenite.
‘Hobab was the leader of a group known as the Kenites, a Midianite clan, Judges 1:16 / Judges 4:11. What is wrong with calling a man a ‘Texan’ on one occasion, and an ‘American’ on another?’
2. Moses’ father-in-law is called ‘Reuel’, Exodus 2:18, ‘Jethro’ in Exodus 3:1 and ‘Hobab’ here.
Due to missing information, this problem is insoluble. The word here rendered father-in-law, in Hebrew, actually may mean father-in-law, brother-in-law, or some other close family relationship. There is also the question (unknown) as to whether any one, any two, or even all three of these names may have referred to one individual. Also, it is not clear whether the name Reuel, for example, might not have been a title held by Jethro, or whether Jethro might have been a title held by Reuel. It is a careless scholar indeed who can bring himself to allege a ‘contradiction’ in any area where such a profound lack of information exists.
3. Did Hobab actually go with Moses? ‘From Judges 1:16, it appears likely that Hobab acceded to Moses’ request.’
After travelling for three days, the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest, Numbers 10:33. The ark of the covenant was carried before the people, Numbers 10:21 / Joshua 3:6, which meant that God was taking the lead.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘From Numbers 10:21 / Numbers 2:17, it would appear that the usual place of the ark during the march was in the midst of the host. It was evidently an exceptional case when, in Joshua 3:3 / Joshua 3:6, the ark preceded the people into the bed of the Jordan. Hence, the words ‘went before them’ do not here imply local precedence. The phrase, or its equivalent, is used of a leader going out in command of his troops, Numbers 27:17 / Deuteronomy 31:3 / 1 Samuel 18:16 / 2 Chronicles 1:10, and similarly, the ark may well be said to have gone at the head of the Israelites, when it was borne solemnly in the midst of them as the outward embodiment of the presence whose sovereign word was their law.’
The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp, Numbers 10:34.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Israelites apparently carried the ark in front of the whole nation as they marched, Numbers 10:33. The cloud was evidently over it but not necessarily over the whole nation, Numbers 10:34. The cloud stood over the ark and led those carrying it and the nation as the Israelites moved forward.’
Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Rise up, LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you,’ Numbers 10:35. When Moses asks the Lord to rise up, Numbers 10:35, he’s praying that God would scatter Israel’s enemies even before they begin their march.
Whenever the ark came to rest, he said, ‘Return, LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel, Numbers 10:36. When the ark of the covenant settled in a specific place, the prayer was that God remain among His people. As long as Israel was obedient to the will of God, this prayer was answered.