“Trumpets, Blood, Cloud and Fire” Or “Staying in the Presence of God”
October 24, 2009
Larry R Evans
Reflective Introduction
As I studied for this lesson I was taken back by my reading of Jeremiah 2. The chapter begins with God saying “I remember the devotion of your youth.” Yes, I can remember the zeal of my youth especially after my conversion experience. So I resonated with these introductory words. But then God begins asking questions. Sometimes we think we have questions for God but every time I stop to listen to His questions I am stopped in my tracks. Note Jer. 2:5,6,
Jer 2:5-6
5 This is what the LORD says:
"What fault did your fathers find in me,
that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols
and became worthless themselves.
6 They did not ask, 'Where is the LORD,
who brought us up out of Egypt
and led us through the barren wilderness,
through a land of deserts and rifts,
a land of drought and darkness,
a land where no one travels and no one lives?'
But God didn’t stop there. He asked more questions:
Jer 2:7-8
7 I brought you into a fertile land
to eat its fruit and rich produce.
But you came and defiled my land
and made my inheritance detestable.
8 The priests did not ask,
'Where is the LORD?'
Those who deal with the law did not know me;
the leaders rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
following worthless idols.(from New International Version)
This week’s lesson is all about letting God lead, letting His voice, His Word be the guide. It about staying in the presence of God. It is easy for the surrounding culture speak and to shape our thinking but the “weeping prophet” Jeremiah saw where that kind of thinking was leading.
We must be ever sensitive to the question that the Lord invites us to ask of Him: “Where is the Lord!”
1. After generations passed God saw that it would be good to institute a memorial of the Passover experience for those wandering in the wilderness. [Num. 9:1-5; Ex. 12:1-29] False
Num 9:4-5
4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5 and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses. (NIV)
The celebration did not wait for generations, the Passover memorial took place on the first anniversary. God was anxious that the lessons learned then would not be forgotten.
“The Passover was the first of the three great festivals of the Hebrew people. It referred to the sacrifice of a lamb in Egypt when the people of Israel were slaves. The Hebrews smeared the blood of the lamb on their doorposts as a signal to God that He should "pass over" their houses when He destroyed all the firstborn of Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to let His people go.
Passover was observed on the 14 th day of the first month, Abib, with the service beginning in the evening (Lev 23:6). It was on the evening of this day that Israel left Egypt. Passover commemorated this departure from Egypt in haste. Unleavened bread was used in the celebration because this showed that the people had no time to put leaven in their bread as they ate their final meal as slaves in Egypt. . . . In New Testament times, Passover became a pilgrim festival. Large numbers gathered in Jerusalem to observe this annual celebration. Jesus was crucified in the city during one of these Passover celebrations. He and His disciples ate a Passover meal together on the eve of His death. Like the blood of the lamb which saved the Hebrew people from destruction in Egypt, His blood, as the ultimate Passover sacrifice, redeems us from the power of sin and death.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)”
From the very beginning of Israel’s sojourn in the desert God brought them assurance and hope by promising His love, acceptance and forgiveness – He had not forsaken them.
The Christian celebration of Communion is rooted in the Old Testament Passover experience and brings similar assurance. “Doing” this service is a reminder of Jesus presence is with us. [Lk.22:15, 19, 20]
2. Just because we know God is leading us doesn’t mean it will be easy. [Num. 9:15-23; Jer. 2:6; Ps.23:3,4] True
The Israelites had it easy! If they wanted to know where God wanted them to go all they had to do was look towards the sanctuary and see where the cloud by day or the fire by night was. [Num. 9:15-23] However, the strangest things happened when they followed the cloud. It didn’t seem to be taking the shortest route nor was it the easiest route possible. In fact, if the people would have had Map Quest or a GPS they would have complained even more loudly than they were. We may read in Psalm 23 that God leads beside still waters (Ps 23:2) but we must also read a bit further where we discover they could also be walking in the “shadow of death.” So what is it that brings the psalmist to the conclusion: “I will fear no evil”? (v.4) The rest of the verse is central to the whole Psalm and to the experience of God’s people wandering in the desert of Siani or the asphalt jungles of our cities! Wherever we are—beside still waters or in the valley of death—we can be comforted if we are in the presence of God.
There are some of us who lag behind. We see problems and we won’t move until all our questions are answered but the cloud of God moves forward. We have choices to make. There are also some of us who become frustrated with how slow the Church responds. We become impatient with the leaders, with the circumstances and with the slow of heart. We want to go full steam ahead and get the job done! It is possible to move outside of the presence of God by being too progressive just as easily as it is to lose sight of God because we lag behind because of doubts, etc. The lesson is clear. The sanctuary and the cloud and fire that symbolized God’s leading presence teaches us this: Our only security, safety and basis of hope is found when we remain in the presence of God! This isn’t our Church. It is God’s and He does far better at leading this diverse Church far better than any of us could. We must do our part but we must never forget that God is capable of directing His people although it may not always be the shortest or most pleasant way. Jeremiah outlines some of God’s own frustrations:
Jer 3:19-20
"'How gladly would I treat you like sons
and give you a desirable land,
the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.'
I thought you would call me 'Father'
and not turn away from following me.
20 But like a woman unfaithful to her husband,
so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. (from New International Version)
3. The sounding of trumpets was a warning of danger. [Num.10:1-10; 2Thess.4:16; 1Cor.15:52] True and False
Carolyn and I have worked out quite a system when she comes to pick me up at the airport. If I know my plane will be late I call her in advance and let her know. No call normally means things are on schedule. As soon as I land I call her on her cell phone and tell her I’m headed for the baggage claim. She times her arrival accordingly and if we have any problem either one can call the other and explain where we are.
The story in Numbers 10 is a communication system between God and his desert wandering group of nomads. Unfortunately there were no cell phones! But communication with such a large group on the move is critical. In Numbers 10:1-10 we find a fascinating communication code system. Silver trumpets were made and with these trumpet blasts God would call His people to assemble. Sometimes they were a call to prepare for war, sometimes to simply assemble, sometimes for certain tribe s to set out and the for others to follow. It was a simple but effective way of communicating with the huge group. But with every blowing of the trumpet one principles stood out: God was saying, “I am with you!” Note Num. 10:8-10
Num 10:8-10
8 "The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. 9 When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies. 10 Also at your times of rejoicing--your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals--you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God." (from New International Version)
With this in mind, do you see the significance of the trumpets at the second coming of Christ?
1 Thess 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. (from New International Version)
This “trumpet call” is a call to assembly of God’s people of all ages to come together. It is also a call to the final stages of the battle between Christ and Satan. As the song goes, “I hear the trumpets calling . . . “
Hear the Trumpet Sound
By B. F. White
Verse 3
Oh I love to shout and sing
Praises to my heavenly King
For He'll make the trumpet
Sound in that mornin'
Then on wings of love I'll fly
To the paradise on high
When I hear the trumpet
Sound in that mornin'.
In that mornin', my Lord
How I long to go
For to hear the trumpet
Sound in that mornin'.
In that mornin', my Lord
How I long to go
For to hear the trumpet
Sound in that mornin'.
4. Despite the promises and assurances of God’s presence, His leaders in the past sill needed human assurance. [Num.10:29-32; Matt.26:36-43; Lk.9:28-31] True
I’ve worked with some really great presidents. Two come to mind right now. Each of them in their own way had the gift of affirmation, of encouragement and wisdom – and it always meant the most during difficult times.
The incident of Moses and Hobab is so rich with meaning. You would think that a leader like Moses would be absolutely self-confident but he needed another set of eyes. Note Numbers 10:29-31
Num 10:29-31
29 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place about 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 He answered, "No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people."
31 But Moses said, "Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the desert, and you can be our eyes. (from New International Version)
But Moses wasn’t alone. Jesus, in the midst of His great mission, was sent Moses and Elijah to encourage Him. (Lk 9:28-31) Of their meeting it is said, “The hope of the world, the salvation of every human being, was the burden of their interview.” (EG White, The Desire of Ages, 425)
5. If the journey out of Egypt is similar to our personal journey of faith then we can expect triumphs, delays, disappointments and even heartaches. [Num.10:11-14, 33-36; 11:1-3] True
“In all ages God's appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph was maligned and persecuted. . . . David, the chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies. . . . Stephen was stoned because he preached Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death. . . . John was banished to the Isle of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
These examples of human steadfastness bear witness to the faithfulness of God's promises--of His abiding presence and sustaining grace. They testify to the power of faith to withstand the powers of the world.
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried.
Many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. . . . No human hand is ready to lend them help.
Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He forget Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the plain? . . . Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the den of lions? . . .
Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon walls cannot cut off the communication between their souls and Christ. One who sees their every weakness, who is acquainted with every trial, is above all earthly powers; and angels will come to them in lonely cells, bringing light and peace from heaven. {Ellen White in Conflict and Courage, p.369
`6. If we don’t worry about the future of the Church we will be held responsible. [Ps.31:3; 32:8; 48:14; Isa.58:10,11] Maybe True and Maybe False
I almost eliminated this question because of time and while we may not get to it in class I share it for those who dare to read to the end of this extra long set of teaching notes. I am very much aware of some of the deep concerns some of our members and leaders have upon their shoulders. To be concerned is a good thing but there is a point where concern can be turned into anger, malice, evil surmising, distortion of the what is actually being said, taught or believed. It is tempting to try to manipulate people, events, stories to serve our “noble” purposes. We must ever keep in mind that this is not our Church but God’s. While we must stand up for truth we must also reveal Christ in our words and actions. Too often the rhetoric of politicians becomes our model and we strike out with hyperboles and scathing rebukes which in the end creates a chasm between differing opinions. My strong opinions take on a differing tone when I see how Jesus looked upon wayward Jerusalem. The Bible says it all when it whispers, “Jesus wept.” That doesn’t suggest inaction but it does reveal the heart of God in the presence of sin, stubbornness and a false religious pride. The following words have been both a rebuke and an encouragement to me.
If you have given yourself to God, to do His work, you have no need to be anxious for tomorrow. He whose servant you are, knows the end from the beginning. The events of tomorrow, which are hidden from your view, are open to the eyes of Him who is omnipotent. {MB 100.1}
When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us, and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God. {Ellen G White in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 100-101}
Ps 48:14-49:1
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end. (from New International Version)
Conclusion
It is popular today to talk about righteousness by faith. This is as it should be but what does it mean? When Paul says, “The righteous will live by faith” he is quoting Habakkuk 2:4. The context of Habakkuk’s declaration, however, provides a deeper understanding. It was Habakkuk who also said, “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? . . . Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? (Hab.1:1,3) Those were difficult times and many were growing impatient for God to do something and to set things right. God listened to Habakkuk. God does a lot of listening, I think. It is amazing that He doesn’t react to the accusations often leveled at Him. Finally, however, Habakkuk comes to a startling conclusion. It is found in the heart of his book, “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (Hab.2:20)
We began our study with God’s people being led by a cloud by day and fire by night. We learned that it is easy to lag behind and to go ahead of God and bring destruction upon ourselves and others associated with us. The key lesson in this wilderness experience is that if we wish to have security during times of change and crisis it is that we must remain in the presence of God. There is no substitute. Neither brilliance of mind nor humility of soul is adequate if it is not kept in the presence of God. That is the message of the clouds, the trumpets and the blood on the doorposts. That is the lesson for today in a world that is rapidly changing and for a Church trying to be faithful to its Commission. With that message comes joy, peace and an assurance that what doesn’t seem “fixable” with our all our efforts is left in the hands of Him who can and will resolve the issues that seem so elusive.
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