“And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.” (Numbers 10:9-10, ESV)
In Israel, the priests were to blow trumpets made of hammered silver in warfare and at the start of their great feasts. In one case it was in war and in the other it was in celebration. The sounding of the trumpets was a signal to the people of the nation as well as a reminder of them before God.
In the New Testament, we see two parallels of the trumpets, the proclamation of truth and the call of the dead to life at the resurrection.
Paul likened the proclamation of God’s Word to the trumpet which was sounded to call to battle.
“And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8, ESV)
The church has the responsibility to sound the trumpet of God’s Word, the call to faith and action. As Paul indicates, the church must proclaim a message of truth which is distinct and clear. The church and believer must hold to clear biblical teaching and present the same, being careful to ensure the integrity of God’s Word. This proclamation calls people to faith in Christ.
The New Testament also indicates the trumpet will call the dead to life (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52, ESV)
This last trumpet is the call to everlasting joy and celebration as we experience our glorification at the resurrection. As the trumpet sounded the beginning of the celebration of Israel’s feasts, the Scriptures indicate that there is a day coming when we, who believe, will enter that glorious place of eternal joy in our heavenly home.
Renewing the Heart 