Numbers

Numbers 10: God goes before His people

Begin in prayer

Before Israel takes its first steps away from Sinai, let us bring our own need of guidance before God. Ask Him for trust in His promised care and hearts that follow Jesus.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you; who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.

Psalm 84:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us trust Your care along the way, and show us Jesus, who leads His people to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God tells Moses to make two silver trumpets to gather Israel and signal their journeys. The priests will also sound them in war and over the offerings at the appointed feasts. When the cloud rises from the tent, Israel leaves Sinai for the wilderness of Paran in the order God commanded. Moses invites Hobab to come and share the good God has promised Israel, asking for his help in finding camps. The ark goes before them to seek a resting place, and the cloud is over them by day. Moses calls on the Lord to scatter His enemies when they travel and to return when they rest.

As you read Numbers 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God leads His people onward and calls them to trust His promised care.

Israel is ready to leave Sinai, and God gives signals everyone can hear. The silver trumpets call the people together and tell the camps when to move. Their sound also brings Israel’s needs and worship before God in battle and at the feasts. When the cloud lifts, the people leave in the order He has commanded. Moses asks Hobab to share the journey and help them find camping places in the wilderness. Asking for a person’s help fits with trusting God’s care, because God gives people useful knowledge. Above all, Israel needs the Lord Himself, so Moses prays as the ark goes forward and rests.

How does Numbers 10 show us that God leads His people onward and calls them to trust His promised care?

God gives His people clear signals for their journey.

The priests sound the trumpets to gather the whole people or their leaders. Different signals tell the camps when to set out. God gives an ordered way for a great company to hear and follow His commands together.

God leads His people toward the good He has promised.

The cloud rises, and Israel leaves Sinai by the command of the Lord. Moses invites Hobab to share the good God will give and asks for his knowledge of camping places. God’s guidance leaves room for the useful help He gives through other people.

God’s presence is His people’s hope in travel and rest.

The ark goes ahead to seek a resting place, and the cloud covers the travelling people. Moses asks God to scatter His enemies and return among Israel. Their order and their helpers cannot replace their need of the Lord Himself.

Memorise

The cloud of Yahweh was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp.

Numbers 10:34

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what makes me rely on my own plans more than on Jesus?

Moses tells Hobab, “Yahweh has spoken good concerning Israel.” The people are leaving Sinai, and their hope rests on the God who has promised to lead them. Moses prays for the Lord to go with His people.

We need God to bring us through more than a wilderness. Our sin has turned us away from Him. Jesus went to the cross for His people and bore the punishment that stood against them. He rose from death with His saving task complete. He has done all that was needed to bring them into fellowship with God.

So turn from the sin that leads you away, and put your trust in Jesus. Forgiveness is given to those who come to the risen Savior. He does not leave His people to find their own way home. Please follow His Word, and trust His care in the steps you cannot yet see.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Lord leads His people, and Jesus brings sinners back to God through His death and resurrection. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for leading Israel onward with His promised care, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.

John 14:18

Father, thank You for guiding the people You rescued. Please forgive the pride that trusts our own plans above Your Word. Turn each of us from sin and give us faith in Jesus. Teach us to ask for Your help, receive wise help from others and obey You along the way. Amen.