Numbers 10 … Consider His Miraculous Mobilization

Originally posted: 06/02/2019

It’s been over a year now. A year in the wilderness; a year waiting; and now, it’s time.

After a year His people are fitted for His Mobilization by His statutes, ordinances, and laws; now it is time to rally at His command.

It was to be His call that would organize and propel His people into motion, whether moving, settling, or engaging in war; it was His Miraculous Mobilization that would assemble and make His people ready to move out in obedience and claim His promise.

Consider His Miraculous Mobilization

Now in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, the cloud was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony; ¹² and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. ¹³ So they moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the Lord through Moses, (10:11-13).

Nothing was neglected in the preparation of His people. Though the LORD would utilize some natural means, this was His supernatural work, His doing, His Miraculous Mobilization; and He would receive the glory.

• The trumpets would call His people to His Miraculous Mobilization, either for movement or war; there would be no confusion in His timing and purpose.
  • The Lord spoke further to Moses, saying, ² “Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out… ⁵ But when you blow an alarm, the camps that are pitched on the east side shall set out. ⁶ When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are pitched on the south side shall set out; an alarm is to be blown for them to set out. ⁷ When convening the assembly, however, you shall blow without sounding an alarm… ¹⁰ …I am the Lord your God,” (10:1-2, 5-7, 10).

• The systematic formation and plan of departure would ensure order as His people set out by His Miraculously Mobilization.
  • The standard of the camp of the sons of Judah, according to their armies, set out first… and Issachar… and Zebulun, (10:14-16).
  • Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who were carrying the tabernacle, set out, (10:17).
  • Next the standard of the camp of Reuben… and Simeon… and Gad, (10:18-20).
  • Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects, (10:21).
  • Next the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim… and Manasseh… and Benjamin, (10:22-24).
  • Then the standard of the camp of the sons of Dan, according to their armies, which formed the rear guard for all the camps, set out… and Asher… and Naphtali, (10:25-27).
  • This was the order of march of the sons of Israel by their armies as they set out, (10:28).

• His Miraculous Mobilization would safeguard the Tabernacle, to be carried and set up in advance and made ready for the holy objects.
  • Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival, (10:21).

• The cloud of the LORD would faithfully guide; there would be no human guesswork regarding the route or timetable of His Miraculous Mobilization.
  • Thus they set out from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord journeying in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them. ³⁴ The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp, (10:33-34).

• His Miraculous Mobilization would impart an emboldened faith to proclaim His victory and His glory.
  • Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord!
    And let Your enemies be scattered,
    And let those who hate You flee before You.” ³⁶ When it came to rest, he said, “Return, O Lord,
    To the myriad thousands of Israel,” (10:35-36).

How do we respond to His Miraculous Mobilization?

Jesus gave us His Great Commission, calling us to His Miraculous Mobilization.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28:18-20).

His Great Commission is daunting, if and when we attempt to mobilize in our own strength. Thankfully, the LORD has Miraculously provided for us, that we would move “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts, (Zechariah 4:6).

• Let us answer the call to His Miraculous Mobilization, that we would live ready to mobilize in His timing and purpose, whenever He signals us to move.
  • Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of your time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is, (Ephesians 5:15-17).

• Let us trust the plan of His Miraculous Mobilization, that we would pursue His formation in our going forth, so as not to get ahead or lag behind.
  • Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    And do not lean on your own understanding.
    ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
    And He will make your paths straight, (Proverbs 3:5-6).

• Let us cooperate with His Miraculous Mobilization, that we would safeguard our lives as His tabernacle, made ready as His vessel of holiness.
  • As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

• Let us listen well for His Miraculous Mobilization, that we would carefully tune our hearts to hear and discern His guidance provided in His Word by His Holy Spirit.
  • Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left, (Isaiah 30:21).

• Let us commit to follow His Miraculous Mobilization, that we would boldly move in faith and thanksgiving, proclaiming His victory and glory wherever He leads.
  • But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place, (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Let’s Grow Together!