Numbers 10-11 & Acts 17

Every community needs a system of communication and Israel is no different. In the beginning of Numbers 10, God commissions Moses to create a signaling system to inform Israel when it is time to worship, breaking camp or warnings. The trumpet probably was about a foot long with one end wider than another.

It would seem that the trumpets would be blowing the note to break camp shortly as finally, Israel prepares to move. We are told how the host of Israel will move and what form it will take. Notice that the tabernacle moves first and is set up in place before the Ark arrives so that it can be put in its appropriate location right away.

Finally, the chapter closes with the story of how Moses' father-in-law continues to journey with Israel.

Chapter 11 is a significant story in the life of Israel. We are introduced to a long standing tradition of Israel, murmuring, or complaining which frame the content from chapters 11 to chapter 19. In Exodus the complaints usually center around food and drink, complaints that continue in Numbers but the other major issue involves the leadership of Moses.

The people have decided that they have had enough of just manna, they want more, they want meat. Once again they hearken back to the good ol'days of residing in Egypt, forgetting how they were oppressed. God, angered by their behavior, sends a warning shot and we hear how the fringes of the camp are consumed by fire. We are not told if any are hurt.

But God is not the only one angered, Moses now complains to God about why he has to deal with the Israelites. God agrees that it is a lot to deal with and creates a system in which the burden of leadership will be shared.

And, oh yeah, God does answer the complaints by bringing quail into the camp but God also sends a plague so that the people are reminded that God can provide blessings and curses.

Acts 17

Following their success in Philippi, Paul and Silas journey into the region of Thessalonica. Paul enters the synagogue and begins debating and teaching about Jesus. While he makes some converts, it would seem not enough and is forced out of town. But the Jews of Thessalonica are not deterred and when they hear that Paul is in a neighboring community they force him out of that town as well. The primary charge against Paul is that he is stirring up the peace of the community. Since Roman rule was dependent upon this peace, civil authorities were very interested in those who sought to break this "peace."

Finally, Paul makes it to Athens where he offers his famous "unknown god" speech. Paul offers a compliment to the Athenians in calling them religious, but considering they are worshiping idols and not gods, Paul's compliment was back handed at best. Paul then speaks of a living God that Athenians do not "know" but that in Christ, God seeks to make known.