But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
The blast to be used when the congregation was to be gathered together was different from the alarm blast, and the alarm was for journeying. The trumpet sounds were distinct, specific, special, and clear, and they were understood by the people. The trumpets were borne by the sons of Aaron, who received directions from Moses and signified them to the people, first giving a special signal to call attention and then giving certain sounds to direct movement. Those particular sounds directed the people's movements, so they knew what to do and could gather and act in order without confusion and keep order.
There was no confusion of sound, so that each tribe under its own standard and each company under its head officer knew exactly what to do. All were required to be attentive and to learn the signals and obey them, and those who had the opportunity to learn the Lord's instructions were responsible for obeying them. Failure to comply was punished with death, because not knowing was willful ignorance, since all had the same opportunity to learn. God Himself appointed these distinct trumpet sounds to govern Israel with perfect order, showing He is a God of order who is the same now as then, and He designed the system to teach order and discipline and union of action.
The blast to be used when the congregation was to be gathered together was different from the alarm blast, and the alarm was for journeying. The trumpet sounds were distinct, specific, special, and clear, and they were understood by the people. The trumpets were borne by the sons of Aaron, who received directions from Moses and signified them to the people, first giving a special signal to call attention and then giving certain sounds to direct movement. Those particular sounds directed the people's movements, so they knew what to do and could gather and act in order without confusion and keep order.
There was no confusion of sound, so that each tribe under its own standard and each company under its head officer knew exactly what to do. All were required to be attentive and to learn the signals and obey them, and those who had the opportunity to learn the Lord's instructions were responsible for obeying them. Failure to comply was punished with death, because not knowing was willful ignorance, since all had the same opportunity to learn. God Himself appointed these distinct trumpet sounds to govern Israel with perfect order, showing He is a God of order who is the same now as then, and He designed the system to teach order and discipline and union of action.