Conflict is everywhere today, is it not? We find on a large scale that conflict dwells between nations, and then on a smaller scale it dwells even between Christians. There is much to learn when we observe how others handle trouble. Whom do you know who has defused a potentially disastrous situation within reason? Such skill is to be admired and yet how often do we see this skill in action? We are going to have a chance to do that very thing over the next few days as we study out 2 Samuel chapter 20 where we find a revolt is in the makings…
2 Samuel 20:1-2 (KJV)
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba,
the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have
no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every
man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after
David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave
unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
Whenever and wherever there is found a revolt in the makings, rest assured there is a man of Belial who just happens to be on the scene, an ungodly person who usually makes no contribution to any situation other than a wicked one. He is of no worth or value to the kingdom, and guess what you'll frequently find this type of person doing? Blowing a trumpet! That's right, this person is usually busy tooting loudly their own horn and stirring up trouble, getting everyone's attention so as to establish themselves as a leader - at the expense of the king's authority though! In this case, the troublemaker who started another rebellion against King David was Sheba, the son of Bichri who decided he wanted no part of David his king. Proud men will have everything their own way. Angry disputers such as Sheba typically misunderstand and misconstrue other men's words. Hence, with the noisy blowing of his trumpet, Sheba stirred up a revolt. He trumped up and scattered the men off in their own selfish directions, and thereby was able to cause every man of Israel to turn away from the king and follow after him. With one trumpet blown, two directions were distinguished - which one would you have taken??
Let's stop here and chew on the progression of this story for a moment… What does it take to cause you to stray away from serving in continued faithfulness to the Lord, or perhaps even your earthly shepherd, your pastor? What do you do when the cause of Christ is attacked - whose side do you take? What do you do when troublemakers plague your pastor or brothers and sisters in the Lord? Do you doubt them, turn your back on them, or remain loyal to the finish? Are you easily moved in the wrong direction by the trumpet blowing of those who have come out from underneath authority? Do you stop dead in your tracks and listen intently to every little rebellious toot only to find soon after that you are following off in the direction of that loud and noisy trumpet blower? You wouldn't happen to be one of those troublemakers yourself would you, dear lady??
Proverbs 12:13 (KJV)
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall
come out of trouble.
Proverbs 18:6-7 (KJV)
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
[7] A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his
soul.
Perhaps you've been guilty of tooting your own horn lately and causing a revolt - either in your church or possibly in your own home. Ladies, beware of trumpets that are lifted up and blown for the wrong reasons! When used improperly, when used for self-glorification, trumpets make a harsh, disturbing sound that is unpleasant to the ears, missing that perfect pitch for which they were created. However, when used properly and a correct note is hit - the note of humility - trumpets make a unique sound, brilliant and beautiful to the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:2 (KJV)
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may
have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Incidentally, the secret to the glorious sound of the trumpet is the position of your lips. It is the basis of all playing, so it is important to get your mouth right from the beginning before you blow your trumpet. (This was Sheba’s greatest error!) Only with your lips in the correct position, will you produce proper sound. The tongue also plays a very important role in trumpet playing. Not only does it provide the start of each note, it also regulates the pitch of the note, deciding whether the note will be high or low. Hence, the message of the trumpet is sounded forth. And ladies, trumpets should sound forth a call to unity, not division! Ungoverned tongues produce errant sounds. All throughout history trumpets have been used in war and in worship, but they should never be used in wickedness.
Psalm 98:6 (KJV)
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord,
the King.
Psalm 150:3a (KJV)
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet....
Yes, the Bible clearly tells us in many places how to praise God. You see, our public performance is important. Would you say your life adequately and properly praises the Lord? Whether we realize it or not, each one of us has a trumpet in our hands whose sound is sent forth from our lips. Is your trumpet making an uncertain sound today? Unintelligible sounds make the instrument of no use. What note does the Lord most often hear you playing daily - a sour note or a sweet one?? How have you been playing in public? What are others hearing through your blowing - bitterness or betterment? Is it music to their ears, or misery to their ears?? Make sure your lips and tongue are poised in the proper position for hitting a good, clear note... Consider too, what you have been giving ear to of late - trumpets of praise or trumpets that lead in the direction of a revolt… From whom are you getting your music lessons, dear lady??
1 Cor. 14:8 (KJV)
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself
to the battle?
Breathing also is important in trumpet playing, for your breath supply provides the power behind your playing... Has someone whose cheeks are filled with hot air been giving you trumpet lessons?? If so, your trumpet playing will be erratic and unpleasant. Resting in between each note is the key to steady playing, and I can think of no better place to rest than in the Lord, amen? It's time you and I exercised discernment and skillfully trained our ears to recognize the right notes and listen only to trumpets that are tuned to perfection. You see ladies, the blowing of Sheba's trumpet was blasting discord and it changed men into rebellious troublemakers… Similarly, listening to the right trumpet call should transform us into the image of Jesus Christ…
1 Cor. 15:52 (KJV)
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed.
The last trump... On that great day, God’s trumpet sound shall extend from one side of the earth to the other! Where will you be in that moment, what side of the fence will you be standing on when Christ returns? Will you be brashly involved in a revolt against authority or standing harmoniously loyal to the King? The direction you have taken in life will be revealed in that day. Now is the time to fine-tune our hearts in preparation for our final recital before God! Don’t be like Sheba; be sure you are getting your music lessons from the Lord. Praise HIM with the sound of your trumpet and you'll be sure to finish on a triumphant note!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
