Justin Houtz

Numbers 10, Romans 10

DateVersionReading Plan
May 7, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 10

Observation & Interpretation

The LORD spoke to Moses and told him to make two silver trumpets of hammered work to be blown for specific purposes. Different blasts (and possibly different pitches) between one or both trumpets were “be used to: (a) assemble the congregation … at the door of the tabernacle of meeting ([Num. 10:3, 7]); (b) give the signal for marching forward; (c) assemble the leaders (only one trumpet was used for this) ([Num. 10:4]); (d) sound an alarm in time of war ([Num. 10:9]); (e) announce certain special days, such as feast days ([Num. 10:10]).” (BBC).

In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony (Num. 10:11). As the BBC notes, this “marks a division of the book” as “up to this point, the people had camped at Mount Sinai.” They had been at the foot of the Mount for roughly a year, just after the exodus from Egypt (Exod. 19:1-2). Then are depicted the order of standards of camps that set out by their companies. The people of Judah were the first to set out (Num. 10:14) followed by the other tribes until the final tribe of Naphtali (Num. 10:27).

Moses spoke to his father-in-law, Hobeb, and asked that he join them and that the LORD’s blessing of the people would be extended to him. The CSB Notes point to some interesting details regarding Moses’ father-in-law:

The dual names “Reuel” (Ex 2:18) and “Jethro” (Ex 3:1) in reference to Moses’s in-laws are perhaps references to two p 220 generations of this Midianite clan, since the Hebrew term can mean “father-in-law,” “brother-in-law,” or just “in-law.” Thus the patriarchal clan leader was probably named “Reuel” (taking “father” as “grandfather” which is common in the Hebrew Bible) and the actual father-in-law of Moses was named “Jethro.” Others suggest Jethro and Reuel are the same person, since dual names are commonly reflected in Bronze Age texts. The blessing of God was fulfilled for Hobab and his Kenite clan in Jdg 1:16.

Hobab rejected Moses offer, opting instead to depart to his own land and to his kindred. Moses pleaded with Hobab not to not leave but serve as eyes to them, repeating that if he went with them the good done to the people would be done to him. The exchange ends at Num. 10:32 and “It is unclear whether Hobab goes with the camp after his initial refusal.” (FSB).

The remaining verses of the chapter describe how the people set out from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey with the ark of the covenant before them, the cloud of the LORD over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp (Num. 10:33-34). Whenever the ark set out, Moses would call to the LORD and say, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” (Num. 10:35). Additionally, whenever the ark rested, Moses said, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.” (Num. 10:36)

Application

The trumpets were to be used to direct the people in various ways, signaling them to follow the LORD’s leading. At the end of Num. 10:11, we read that the trumpets were to be blown “over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings” and that “They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.” The LORD was gracious in giving them a reminder of His presence, that He is with them. In similar way, we are directed to remembrance of God’s glorious sacrificial work of His Son by His Word. May the LORD give us ears to hear and rejoice at the announcement of His coming and the redemption of His people.

Romans 10

Observation & Interpretation

Paul expressed that his heart’s desire and prayer was that the Jews would be saved. They have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. Being ignorant of the righteousness of God, the Jews sought to establish their own and not to submit to God’s righteousness (Rom. 10:3). Paul makes clear that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Rom. 10:4).

Paul then refers to the writing of Moses, that righteousness is based on the law and those who does the commandments shall live by them (Rom. 10:5). As the BBC points out, “this statement presents an ideal which no sinful man can meet. All it is saying is that if a man could keep the law perfectly and perpetually, he would not be condemned to death. But the law was given to people who were already sinners and who were already condemned to death.” Paul contrasts this with the righteousness based on faith. Paul quotes Deut. 30:12-14 and “reapplies them to the gospel. He says that the language of faith doesn’t ask a man to climb to heaven to bring Christ down. For one thing, that would be utterly impossible; but it would also be quite unnecessary, because Christ has already come down to earth in His Incarnation!” (BBC)

In Rom. 10:8-10, Paul again adapts a verse rom Deut. 30 “to say that the gospel is near, accessible, intelligible, and easily obtained” (BBC). Paul gives the roles of the mouth and heart in salvation, the former to confess the Lordship of Jesus and the latter to believe that God raised Him from the dead. He continues in quoting Is. 28:16 that all who believe on Him will not be put to shame and quotes Joel 2:32 as to the universality of the gospel, that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all (Rom. 10:12).

Through rhetorical question, Paul emphasizes the need to go and preach the gospel, quoting Is. 52:7 in saying, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” However, not all of the people of Israel obeyed the gospel. “The Jews listened and simply did not believe. The Gentiles heard too, and many embraced it.” (CSB Notes). Paul declares that faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. But this “hearing with the ears is not enough. A person must hear with an open heart and mind, willing to be shown the truth of God.” (BBC). Paul confirms that the Jews did indeed hear, quoting Ps. 19:4 and Is. 65:1, 2.

Application

Related to the previous reflection on Num. 10 is the involvement of the ears—along with the heart and mouth—in the process of one’s coming to authentic, transformative faith in Christ. In a large sense, the ears are a gateway to the heart as it is through this human faculty that we hear the good news of salvation found only in Christ. However, hearing is not enough. Required is a response to what is heard, whether it be rejection or a full acceptance and heart-level surrender to the gospel truths conveyed.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, how wonderful are You to lavish upon us such grace. Father, sustain the ears of your people to never tire of hearing Your gospel. Father, thank You for giving Your people ears to hear and hearts to respond, revealing the depth of our sin and desperate need for You.

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