Bible Music to Die For

 [This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.] 

So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm some of yourselves for war, and let them go against the Midianites to take vengeance for the Lord on Midian.  A thousand from each tribe of all the tribes of Israel you shall send to the war.” 

 So there were recruited from the divisions of Israel one thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.  Then Moses sent them to the war, one thousand from each tribe; he sent them to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the holy articles and the signal trumpets in his hand. (Numbers 31:3-6)

source: knowitall.org

If you've been in the military, you will be familiar with the trumpet blast at dawn signaling reveille or the evening funeral sounds of 'taps'. Music for the troops is as old as Moses himself and if you happened to serve in a waterborne unit, you are probably also aware of what is called a 'bosun whistle'--a flute like reed that issues shrill, high pitched melodies to let people in earshot know about certain events taking place on deck.

Most of these musical instrument uses have become ceremonial for the most part these days, but I remember watching a documentary about U.S. troops invading the Iraqi town of Fallujah during the takedown of Saddam Hussein. Before and during their advance into the town, they blared obnoxiously loud death metal music onto the population that must have terrified combatants and innocents alike. Psychological warfare is what it's called and, no doubt, it also helps to motivate the attacking troops as well.

This use of trumpets in the battle against the Midianites is not an isolated incident mentioned in the Bible. We will see other instances of this Yahweh ordained tactic as we continue our series exploring the sound of music and musical instruments mentioned in Scripture. As to the holy articles referred to (translated 'vessels of the sanctuary' in the ESV), we can only speculate. Most likely they were the priestly garments, the ark, or the Urim and Thummim) It all seems a bit superstitious and God's purpose behind giving such an order could have been to cater to the human need for flag waving in order to rally the troops. Remember: At this point the Israelites were still not recognized as a nation among nations so that is a factor to be considered if you are prone to speculation about these things. If not, if "yours is just to do or die and not to question why" then join the ranks and get in step.

John Phillips Sousa-The Stars and Stripes Forever