April 09: RALLYING TO BATTLE

The trumpet also was sounded for times of battle. If you pay particular attention to the passages which mention the blowing of the trumpet, you will notice there is a different, distinctive sound for each occasion. This way, there would be no confusion as to the purpose of the assembly. Can you imagine the trumpet sounding for battle; but the soldier thought it was a call to celebration. He comes dressed in his finest evening wear with no weapon. It pays to recognize the purpose of the trumpet call.
When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. (Joshua 6:20 NIV)
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. (Judges 6:34 NIV)
Good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a time. Trying to listen to my wife while looking over an office report is like trying to receive two radio stations at the same time. I end up with distortion and frustration. Listening requires a choice of where I place my attention. To tune into my partner, I must first choose to put away all that will divide my attention. That might mean laying down the newspaper, moving away from the dishes in the sink, putting down the book I'm reading, setting aside my projects. —Robert W. Herron, Homemade, June, 1987.
So Israel learned to know the meaning of each trumpet sound. When the call to battle sounded, they were able to grab their weapons, gird their garments, and assemble at the Eastern Gate. When the trumpet echoed a call to celebration, the people came together prepared to enjoy time with one another as they celebrated God’s provision for them. It pays to listen closely to the trumpet sound. That way we come together properly prepared for the occasion.
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