From two to one hundred and twenty!
In Numbers chapter ten we see God give Moses the command to make two silver trumpets. Verses 1 and 2 say “Now the Lord said to Moses, “Make two trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community to assemble and for signaling the breaking of camp.” They were used to direct the movement of the camps for marching and for battle, as well as to call the nation together for an assembly. We see in verse 8 who are called to sound these trumpets “The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations.” Now what starts with two we see expanded to one hundred and twenty in 2 Chronicles five. At the end of verse 12 scripture says “…and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpet.”
Now let’s make a fun connection of sounding the trumpets to preaching the Gospel!
Matthew Henry makes a wonderful parallel, “These trumpets typify the preached gospel. It sounds an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to the captives and slaves of Satan, and collects the worshippers of God. It directs and encourages their heavenly journey; stirs them up to combat against the world and sin, encouraging them with the assurance of victory. It leads their attention to the sacrifice of Christ, and shows the Lord's presence for their protection. It is also necessary that the gospel trumpet give a distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the end proposed; whether to convince, humble, console, exhort, reprove, or teach. The sounding of the trumpet of the gospel is God's ordinance, and demands the attention of all to whom it is sent.”
We can see this same two expand to one hundred and twenty in the New Testament as well. In John 1:35-37 it says “Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”
And how many were in the Upperroom when the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit came, which empowered them to sound the trumpets? Acts 1:15 says “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)…”
Remember, it is the high priest or his representatives who are to blow these silver trumpets. Who is the High Priest? Jesus! Who are His representatives? His redeemed!