The Book of Bamidbar Rabbah (Numbers Rabbah), in its 15th section, delves into just that, using the seemingly simple instruction of crafting silver trumpets as a springboard.
"Craft for you two silver trumpets" (Numbers 10:2) – this command, according to the Midrash, ties directly into the verse, "Fear the Lord, my son, and the king" (Proverbs 24:21). But what does it mean to "fear the king"? Is it blind obedience?
The Midrash offers a fascinating interpretation: "Crown Him king over you." But it doesn't stop there. It presents an alternative: "Crown the good inclination over the evil inclination." That’s a king worth listening to, right? After all, as we learn in Nedarim 32b, the "great king" mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:14 ("A great king came to it and surrounded it") can be interpreted as the evil inclination itself!
But what happens when the earthly king commands something that goes against our deepest values, against our faith? Is obedience still required? The text anticipates this very question. "Is it, perhaps, that if the king will say to you: ‘Engage in idol worship,’ you should heed him?" Absolutely not. "The verse states: 'Fear the Lord.'"
The Midrash then recounts the famous story of Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), who defied Nebuchadnezzar's command to worship an idol. Nebuchadnezzar, infuriated, reminds them that they themselves used to direct idol-seekers to Jerusalem (referencing Isaiah 10:10). He even questions if they aren't supposed to obey his every command.
Their response is iconic: "You are our king for taxes and land taxes, but as far as engaging in idol worship, you and a dog are equal." (Daniel 3:16). They declare their unwavering faith in God, even if He chooses not to save them from the fiery furnace. Their loyalty to God supersedes any earthly authority. "We will not worship your gods" (Daniel 3:18).
The Midrash extends this idea further, warning against aligning with those who believe in multiple deities – those who are "different." Such beliefs, it says, are destined to be eliminated (Zechariah 13:8). In contrast, "Israel will be the third…in the midst of the land" (Isaiah 19:24). Loyalty to the One God brings ultimate security.
But there’s a beautiful twist. The Midrash suggests that fearing God can actually lead to becoming a king! We see this in the examples of Abraham and Moses. Because Abraham feared God (Genesis 22:12), he became a king, as evidenced by the "valley of the king" (Genesis 14:17). The people "agreed [shehishvu]" and made him their leader. Similarly, Moses, known for his unwavering devotion to God, also achieved a kingly status.
So, going back to those silver trumpets… The Midrash concludes that crafting them is about more than just signaling. It's about recognizing true authority, both earthly and divine. The trumpets herald the leader, but the leader's authority ultimately stems from a higher power. To "fear the Lord" isn't just about reverence; it's about aligning ourselves with truth and justice, even when it's difficult. It’s about recognizing that true leadership emerges from a place of deep and abiding faith.
Think about that for a moment. What kind of "king" are we crowning in our own lives? Is it the good inclination, the pursuit of justice, the unwavering faith? Or are we bowing down to lesser idols?