"When you go to war in your Land against an enemy who oppresses you, you shall sound short blasts of the trumpets. You
shall be remembered before Yahveh your Elohim, and you shall be saved from your enemies." Numbers
10:9
"On the days of your rejoicing and festivals you shall sound the trumpets and they shall be a remembrance for you before
Yahveh your Elohim." Numbers 10:10
The Torah commands the public blowing of the trumpets when events of great sorrow on one hand, and ones of great joy
on the other occurred. Times of sorrow and distress include war, plagues and drought. These short blasts of the trumpets were
a call to repentance and a reminder that sin will bring sorrow and suffering. Such calamities are not coincidences, and are
meant to bring the people to their knees. The Torah states that Yahveh will heed the sounds of the trumpets and react in favor
of his people - whether they are blown in sorrow, or in joy. In times of sorrow the Torah assures that 'you shall be remembered'
before Yahveh - implying just on that occasion. In contrast, in times of happiness the sounds of the trumpets 'shall
be a remembrance before Yahveh' -meaning that Yahveh will show favor continually - not just on that occasion.
Why should this be so?
The Book of Judges relates the story of Jephtah. It opens with ill treatment he suffered within his own family, causing
him to run away from them: "Jephtah of Gilead - a mighty warrior, was the son of a woman
who was a harlot. Gilead was the father of Jephtah. Gilead's wife gave birth to children. They grew up and drove Jephtah away,
saying to him, You shall not inherit in our father's house because you are the son of another woman."
Judges 11:1-2
Later on, when their lives were in danger, the elders of Gilead turned to Jephtah to lead them in the battle
for their very survival. Jephtah recalled his earlier suffering: "Don't you hate me, for
you drove me out of my father's house? Why do you turn to me now, when it is bad for you?" Judges 11:7
Nevertheless, he agreed to lead them, and with the 'Spirit of Yahveh upon him' (vs- 29) Jephtah brought
the Israelites to victory over the people of Ammon.
This story reflects the way many people relate to Yahveh. When things are going well, they enjoy life to the full, thinking
that they can make their own terms with the Almighty. Moses said: "Jeshurun (Israel) became
fat and kicked and spurned Yahveh who made him." Deuteronomy 32:15
Keeping the commandments can become a great burden during times of prosperity. Thus they 'drove Yahveh out
of their lives' when they thought that all's well. The words of Jephtah, "Don't you hate me, for you drove me out of my house?
Why do you turn to me now, when it is bad for you?" may well sum up the way Yahveh relates to sinners who turn to Him only
when things are bad. "Where were you until now?" says Yahveh. "Why did you not bring me into your lives when times were good?"
That does not mean that Yashua does not want our prayers. He promised that when the trumpet blasts
are sounded, we will be remembered, and we will be saved. But only so far, and no further. However, Yahveh says:
when you turn to me in genuine joy and happiness because of all the good things which others take for granted, the act of
blowing the trumpets will become a 'remembrance before me' - permanently.
A real friend is one who shows loyalty and cares even when he does not need you - when it is not in his immediate interest
to connect with you. A person who only shows friendship when he needs you is a friend of sorts, but not a real friend. So
too is our relationship with our Maker. The Torah requires us to love Him and keep His Commandments whether times are
easy or difficult.
