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 10:9

Today's Scripture Reading (January 20, 2025): Numbers 10

Officially, the battle began on July 10, 1940, and lasted just short of four months. The belligerents are listed as the United Kingdom and Canada against Germany and Italy, although many more countries were involved in the conflict. The battle consisted of four months of German planes flying into British airspace and dropping their bombs on London before flying back home. During these four months, the most crucial sound was the sirens that went off at night, warning that planes had been detected on their way to London. It was a time when the residents gathered in bomb shelters and other safe spaces, just hoping that they would live to see the next sunrise.

Early in the battle, the British anti-aircraft guns were silent. After all, in the darkness of the night, the planes couldn't be seen, so to shoot was a waste of valuable ammunition. However, at least according to rumors, Winston Churchill commanded that anti-aircraft guns fire whether or not they could acquire a target. While actually hitting a plane in the darkness might be a massive stroke of luck, the people needed to hear the guns and know that Britain was fighting back against the Germans. The people needed to hear the guns. And so, for four months, the sirens blared, the guns rang out, and the people hid as the German bombers terrorized Britain's capital city. 

For Israel, the counterpart of the sirens were the trumpets. The sons of Aaron were to blow the trumpets to call the people to worship at the Tabernacle, as well as when the nation was attacked by those who sought to oppress them. Different codes were likely used to identify various reasons for blowing the trumpets. According to Jewish tradition, long blasts on the horn would indicate that the nation was being called to the Tabernacle for times of worship. Short, staccato blasts would suggest that the people were under attack. Those of military age would be called to the fight, while the others would be ushered to places of safety. 

Whatever the circumstances, the descendants of Aaron would blow the horn, and the people would respond to the message that the trumpets carried to the people.  

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Numbers 11