Numbers 10

Called to listen and move

The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations. ~ Numbers 10:8

Have you ever felt unsure whether it was time to move forward, stay put, or prepare for something new? In a world filled with constant opinions, pressure, and urgency, learning to hear God’s direction is more important than ever. Numbers 10 reminds us that God does not leave His people guessing. He gives signals, guidance, and confirmation for each step.

God gave Israel clear signals for movement, gathering, and rest. The trumpets were not random sounds, they were purposeful calls that told the people when to move forward, when to prepare, and when to wait. God was teaching His people how to listen closely and respond together. That same God still speaks today, guiding His children through the noise of life with direction that brings order, peace, and confidence.

Below are three truths to follow:

1. God gives clear direction when it is time to move

The trumpets signaled when Israel was to break camp and move forward. They did not move on impulse or fear, but on God’s command.

Pause before making major decisions and ask God for clarity, pay attention to repeated confirmations through prayer, scripture, and wise counsel. Resist rushing ahead just because others are moving faster. When you wait for God’s signal, you step forward with peace instead of pressure.

2, God gathers His people before sending them out

Some trumpet sounds called the people together before action was taken. God valued unity, preparation, and shared purpose.

Stay connected to godly community, remember to check in with prayer before stepping into new responsibilities, allow others to speak wisdom into your decisions. God often prepares you through connection before He sends you into a next assignment.

3. God goes before His people in every journey

When the ark set out, Moses declared that the Lord would go before them and scatter every obstacle. Israel never traveled without God leading the way.

Invite God into each day before it begins, trust that He is already present in places you have not yet reached, move forward knowing that obstacles do not intimidate Him. When God leads, you are never walking into the unknown by yourself.

I specifically remember when I finally stepped into a place where I was following the Holy Spirit’s direction instead of going my own way. It began when my husband and I needed to move and were looking for a home to purchase. I kept praying about it, but every place we looked at just was not working out. After some time, I noticed that whenever I prayed, a house we had looked at early on in the search and that was still available kept coming to mind. I did not like the house, and it was not in the area where I thought I wanted to live, so I quickly dismissed the thought and continued to pray.

Finally, when the same house kept coming to mind each time I prayed about what to do, I asked my heavenly Father if it was Him giving me the idea of that place. I still was not sure, so I asked Him to change my heart if this was the place He was leading us to. Wanting to follow His direction, we went and looked at the house again. Almost immediately, I sensed my desire changing, and I began to see potential I had not noticed before.

We began to take steps toward buying the home, and slowly but surely, things started working out. As the process continued, my excitement grew, and peace settled in until I knew this was where the Lord was leading us. It was one of the first times I was certain God had led us to a specific place, and it has been one of the greatest blessings to still be there today. Even though I struggled at first to know when to move and did not have clear answers right away, God patiently showed me how to walk in His timing instead of my emotions. As I learned to wait for His direction, doors opened that I never could have forced on my own. Each step taken with His guidance brought peace, even when the path felt unfamiliar. Looking back, I can clearly see how His leading protected me and positioned our family exactly where we needed to be within His gracious plan.

Today I want to encourage you to listen for God’s voice above every other sound and to trust His timing in your life. When He says move, step forward with confidence. When He says wait, remain faithful right where you are. If you are unsure, ask Him to make His direction plain and clear and to line up your desires according to His plan. When He calls you to gather, lean into community and preparation. He goes before you, He surrounds you, and He leads you with purpose every step of the way.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 10

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 

2 “Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps. 

3 When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 

4 But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you. 

5 When you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey. 

6 When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys. 

7 And when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but not sound the advance. 

8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations.

9 “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. 

10 Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

11 Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony. 

12 And the children of Israel set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran. 

13 So they started out for the first time according to the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

14 The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies; over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 

15 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar. 

16 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.

17 Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.

18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their armies; over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 

19 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 

20 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. (The tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.)

22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out according to their armies; over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 

23 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

24 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.

25 Then the standard of the camp of the children of Dan (the rear guard of all the camps) set out according to their armies; over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 

26 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. 

27 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.

28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.

29 Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”

30 And he said to him, “I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.”

31 So Moses said, “Please do not leave, inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 

32 And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same we will do to you.”

33 So they departed from the mountain of the Lord on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. 

34 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.

35 So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: “Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.”

36 And when it rested, he said: “Return, O Lord, To the many thousands of Israel.”

Journal:

• Where do I need God’s direction right now
• What noises or pressures have made it hard to hear His voice
• What step of obedience is God inviting me to take today
• How can I create space to listen more closely for His guidance