Bible Talks

From: Messages of God's Love: 1951

If the enemies of the children of Israel came to oppress them in their land, then they were to blow the silver trumpets, and the Lord would give them victory in their battles. Truly, there are many “battles” in our Christian life, as we all know, but when we cry to the Lord how wonderfully He comes in and delivers us. We cannot trust in ourselves, however, for if we do, we will be like the Israelites at Ai (Joshua 7:1-5¹But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. ²And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. ³And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few. ⁴So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. ⁵And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. (Joshua 7:1‑5)), or Peter in the high priest’s palace (Matt. 26:69-75⁶⁹Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. ⁷⁰But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. ⁷¹And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. ⁷²And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. ⁷³And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. ⁷⁴Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. ⁷⁵And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:69‑75)), and there will be certain defeat every time. May we always remember the words of the little hymn,

Ask the Saviour to help you, Comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

These trumpets were also to be blown in Israel’s days of gladness and in their solemn days. Do we not often find that in our days of gladness there is a danger of forgetting the One who sends the blessings? And so we need to be reminded over and over again of the One who is the Giver of every good gift. Let us cultivate the spirit of thankfulness for our food, for any measure of success at school or work, or for any special joy in life—indeed for every blessing! for this is what is meant by blowing the silver trumpets on a day of gladness.

We have noticed also that these trumpets were to be blown on Israel’s solemn days, and so even in our days of trial and sorrow we can think of the love that redeemed us, and is ever toward us. The Christian is told to “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.” Phil. 4:4⁴Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4). He can blow his “silver trumpets” even in sorrow!

Last of all we are told that these trumpets were to be blown in the beginning of their months, and over their burnt offerings and peace offerings. As we gather around the Lord Jesus to remember Him in His death, surely we delight to sound the trumpet of joy, or when a sinner learns of the true “beginning of months” by accepting the Lord Jesus as his own personal Saviour, what rejoicing there is both on earth and in heaven!

Here the children of Israel prepared for their first journey after the tabernacle had been pitched. The camps of the different tribes moved into their appointed places, with the Levites going on before, carrying the tabernacle which had been taken down for the journey. Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, was with them, and he was well acquainted with the wilderness, so Moses asked him if he would go with them. Moses told Hobab of the blessing God had in store for His people, and that if he would go, this blessing would be his too. But Moses’ father-in-law said, “I will not go.” It was a sad decision indeed, and he never had another opportunity, as far as we know, to come with the people of God. If the one who reads these lines is unsaved, may we ask you now if you will decide to go with the people of God—to accept Christ as your own personal Saviour, and come with us to that better home above. If you refuse, as Hobab did, it may be your last opportunity; and then, how solemn, to be lost forever. We are living in the last of “the last days” and God’s Word says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2²(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).

ML 09/02/1951

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