April 05: THE EASTERN GATE

Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the eastern gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to apportion the contributions for the LORD and the most holy things. (2 Chronicles 31:14 NAU)

The Eastern Gate was the place the twelve tribes of Israel would congregate when they heard the sound of the trumpet. Throughout the history of ancient Israel, we read of numerous trumpet calls. This instrument, made from a ram’s horn, has a distinctive, penetrating resonance. If you have been privileged to hear someone play the shofar, you will not soon forget its unique sound.

 

During the years the children of Israel spent in the wilderness, they were a nomadic people. They moved their tents, along with everything else they owned, as the leaders gave direction. And the process always began with the sounding of a trumpet. This was their signal it was time to take action.

 

Israel was instructed to blow the trumpet in varying ways to distinguish the purpose for the call. Sometimes, the call was to come together for a celebration. Other times, it was to summon soldiers to battle. Still others were for a time of receiving critical information during a period of crisis. During those years of wandering in the wilderness, the trumpet was sounded to alert the tribes to prepare to move camp.

The LORD said to Moses: "Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the same signal. "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. 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. (Numbers 10:1-9 NIV)

 

THINK ABOUT IT.
BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/author/normanlindsay
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/normanrlindsay
 WEBSITE: http://LCSM.US