GOD makes His will known to His people in different ways. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night speaks of divine light and guidance for the eye, that is, spiritual guidance for those who have eyes to see. But God also makes additional provision for guidance for those that have “ears to hear.”
When Samuel was but a child and ministered unto the Lord at Shiloh, in the days of Eli the old priest whose eyes had grown dim with age, the Lord spoke to Samuel and he hearkened to what He had to say. May we be like him as expressed in the lines of the little hymn:
Oh, give me Samuel’s ear—
The open ear, O Lord!
Alive and quick to hear
Each whisper of Thy word;
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.
Oh, give me Samuel’s heart!—
A lowly heart, that waits
When in Thy house Thou art;
Or watches at Thy gates
By day and night—a heart that still
Moves at the breathing of Thy will.
Moses was instructed to make “two trumpets of silver,” that is, of the atonement money. In this we are reminded that redemption underlies all God’s ways and dealings with His people. These silver trumpets were of “beaten work"; and whenever they were used they bring before us the great cost—the sufferings, and the smitings — our blessed Saviour bore in order to redeem us.
These trumpets served three main purposes: (1) For the calling of the assembly; (2) For the journeying of the camps; (3) For war when in the land.
None but the sons of Aaron, the priests, were to blow these trumpets. A priest speaks of nearness to God, so one must be walking with the Lord and in communion with Him to be qualified to blow the trumpet or sound an alarm.
In the first case the blowing of the trumpets was to bring the people to the door of the tabernacle. God delights to have His people gather around Himself, in the enjoyment of His presence. “And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ... that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:3,43That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:3‑4).
In such cases there was not the need to “sound an alarm,” but it was the simple calling of the people together. And there are times when the Lord would have us to come together around Himself, when there is no need for an “alarm.” There are those regular meetings during the week — those precious seasons around Himself: the remembrance of Himself in death, the gatherings for prayer and the reading the Word, the Sunday school and the Bible class. We need not fear but rather rejoice as these occasions roll around every week. May each of us hear the call to assemble and make every effort to be present!
On such occasions the Lord not only gathers us to the joy of counion but also that He might build us up by communicating His mind to us through His Word.
ML-07/01/1973