The trumpet blast is startling to those who are asleep, but the music of the harp helps to soothe us to sleep. The importance of clear teaching in the assembly in order that all may be edified is compared with the differences in sounds of musical instruments, specifically the trumpet and the harp. “Even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Cor. 14:7-8).
In Israel’s journey through the wilderness, trumpets were an important means of communication. It was imperative that there be a distinction between an assembling call and an alarm. Chaos and disorder would have marked Israel’s movements if the trumpets had not been properly sounded (Num. 10:1-10).
The trumpets were made of silver, typifying the Lord’s rights over us by redemption. Silver was used as atonement money (Ex. 30:12,15; 38:25; 1 Peter 1:18). The hymnwriter expressed this truth nicely when he wrote:
I love to own, Lord Jesus,
Thy claims o’er me divine;
Bought with Thy blood most precious,
Whose can I be but Thine.
The Various Trumpet Blasts
The children of Israel were to blow the trumpet on various occasions. Likewise, the believer is responsible to declare the Lord’s claims over him in all seasons, whether they be days of happiness or days of trouble.
Ministry that would exercise us to own the Lord’s authority practically in our lives may be likened to the blowing of the trumpet. The trumpet blast is startling to those who are sleeping and most needful when there is spiritual lethargy and slothfulness. The trumpet sound is also exhilarating. How good to hear ministry that gives us guidance, refreshes our spirits, quickens our steps and encourages us to press on.
In Scripture, the trumpet blast is often connected with victory (Josh. 6:20; Judg. 7:20; 1 Thess. 4:16). It is a grand testimony when souls publicly stand for Christ and confess His name amid scorn and ridicule.
Misuse of the Trumpet
There is a danger, however, of misuse of the trumpet. A trumpet blown at a wrong time can be very jarring and rude. It is also important that a distinction is made in how it is sounded. Sometimes a trumpet is sounded in hopes of energizing the people of God to make spiritual progress and unite in the interests of God. Instead, an alarm has sounded and the people of God mistake the noise as a call to battle. Misunderstandings and friction result. We are earnestly to contend for the faith, but with what caution should the trumpet be used lest a wrong message is sent!
The prophets’ ministry of old bore the character of the trumpet. Their mission was to call the people of God to repentance by ministry that dealt faithfully with their spiritual state. The people’s attitude was one of indifference to the claims of God as they continued in a willful course of lust, arrogance and impudence. Yet, these same prophets brought messages of cheer and hope. It is time well spent to peruse the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Haggai, Malachi, as well as the other prophets to find these words of comfort. This line of ministry would answer to the harp.
The Sound of the Harp
While a trumpet would rouse one from sleep, a harp would help put one to sleep. The Lord delights for us to be at rest and peace in His presence. David used the harp to relieve Saul of the troubling evil spirit. What a calming influence is brought in by one walking in communion with the Lord! How rare is the ministry of the harp!
For the harp to give its beautiful sound, the strings must be taut. The Lord often tightens the strings in our lives in order that we may give a true and beautiful sound. It may be by means of trial, ill health, financial hardships, domestic sorrows, assembly troubles, secular demands, social pressures, loss of loved ones, rejection, isolation or misunderstanding. The Lord works in us so that we may feel a need of Him and draw near to Him.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:4 of the comfort that he received from God, and it fitted him to be a comfort to others. If one were to speak only in theory of the comfort of God without some practical firsthand experience, it would sound as discordant as a loosely tuned harp. God insists upon reality. We need both the ministry of the trumpet to stir us and the ministry of the harp to calm us. Care is needed not to strum the harp when the trumpet ought to be sounded nor to blow the trumpet when the soothing sound of the harp is required. May we seek the Lord’s mind to know how and when to use them both. “He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation [the trumpet], and comfort [the harp]” (1 Cor. 14:3).
W. Brockmeier