Reading Numbers 10, revealed to me that the Israelites were not a bunch of half-starved complainers running around in rags. They were a splendid sight of order and unity enjoying the true riches of God. Let’s walk through this chapter to see if your perception of God’s people changes from rags to riches too.

Numbers 10 begins with the Lord speaking to His children through Moses. A description of the various sounds and uses of trumpets is explained beginning in Numbers 10:2-9. They are used for the calling of the assembly. Different sounds are used to signal different actions.

Riches of Gladness

I love how Numbers 10:10 begins and ends.

Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God. (Numbers 10:10 KJV)

God is concerned with the gladness of His people (Deuteronomy 28:47). He also wants us to know that He is our God, “the LORD you God (Hebrews 8:10).”

I Will Be Their God

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV)

Awesome Creator

This is a beautiful verse! What glory and honor! He is the true and living God who is the Creator of everything that has ever been created (Genesis 1, Psalm 104, Job 38-42). And He has chosen to make you and me in His image. He wants to constantly remind us that He is ours! God loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). He chose you before the foundation of the world. Our heavenly Father has chosen to bend Himself down and bring His kingdom and live inside of you (Hosea 11:3-4). He has chosen to be yours for eternity and calls you “mine,” “beloved.” The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, calls us “sons and daughters” “kings and priests!”

Not rags, but riches

Numbers 10:11-28 revealed something to me that I have never seen before. I had always pictured in my imagination, a large number of people straggling along miserable and complaining. In my mind, they were dressed in rags and being drug along because they were such a mess. But that is not the description here.

We see a mighty army and armies marching splendidly along in absolute sink, unison, and harmony together. This was a proud people being led step by step by their God! Led in unity and soundness. They were disciplined and in order. Why did I always see a ragtag disbanded host of complaining misfits?

Well because there were some, and Numbers 11 starts off talking about them. But to better understand God’s dealings with them, we need to envision Numbers 10:11-28. The complainers were not in rags or enjoying God’s riches.

Blessed to be a Blessing

Numbers 10:29-36 explain that Moses knew the purpose for God’s blessings. This is awesome too. First, Moses is telling Hobab about how good God is to Israel, His people. Moses tells him that they would like for him to come along with Israel. Again a foreigner is invited to join in so that they can bless him too.

And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. (Numbers 10:32 KJV)

Again, Numbers 10:33-36, clarify the closeness and provision of God toward His people. God is willing and even trying to lead, guide, and protect His people. He is blessing His people who are following Him every step of the way.

Mind Blown!

Is Moses really telling God what to do?

And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. (Numbers 10:35 KJV)
And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel. (Numbers 10:36 KJV)

Yes, He Did!

This is not the only occasion that we “see and hear” Moses “instructing” God as if he were speaking to his best friend or business partner. In Exodus 32:12-13, Moses said to God, “Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.” God immediately said, “Moses, you’re getting a little too big for your britches!” No!!! In Exodus 32:14, we find out God’s response, “And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto His people.”

Command Who?

In Isaiah 45:11, God actually says to command Him! I love Andrew Wommack’s explanation, and we know that Jesus told us to ask anything and it will be done (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9, James 1:5) by God who gives to all liberally. Jesus told us that we would not only do the works that He did, but that we would do greater works (John 14:12). Ask!

Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. (Isaiah 45:11 KJV)

Andy’s Explanation

What does it mean to command the Lord concerning the works of His hands? Well, it certainly doesn’t mean we are greater than He is and can force Him to do anything. I believe it’s like when electricity is put into our homes. It’s at our command.

We can’t call the electric company to turn on our lights. It doesn’t matter how desperate our need is; they won’t turn on the lights for us. They deliver the power to us and then put it under our command. We have to flip the switch and, in that sense, command the electricity to work.

So, the electricity is at our command, but we aren’t the source of that power. We could put light bulbs in our mouths, and they will never light. Yet, a light bulb in a lamp won’t light either unless we take the responsibility and turn it on.

Likewise, God is the one who generates the power, but He has given it to us (Matthew 28:18-19). We now have the power and the authority to use it (Acts 3:6). Don’t call on God to do what He told us to do (see my note at Matthew 10:8). We have to command the work He has already accomplished to come to pass. See my note at Mark 11:23.

Andrew Wommack’s Living Commentary — One of the best resources that I have ever invested in. Free Sample

His Thoughts and Ways Are Higher

Just like God gave the Israelites a king. That was not God’s best for them. God warned them of the consequences. They would not listen and agreed to face those consequences. God acquiesced! He will go along with us even when He knows the plans He has for us are so much bigger and better than anything we can think or imagine(Jeremiah 29:11-13).