THE SHOFAR

In Conclusion

In times of national crisis the Shofar's sound filled those who heard it with fear because they knew it signified that war was imminent. It is this warning of war that gives the joyous Feast of Trumpets it´s contrasting note of solemnity.

Joel 2:1 says: Blow the Shofar Trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My Holy Mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the Day of the Lord is coming.

Today we celebrate Rosh ha-Shanah here in Israel. This is the day that starts the Year, according to the Jewish Calendar. In the scripture this day is called the "Day of Blowing the Trumpets"
Yom Tru´a in Hebrew.

They blow the Shofar on this day a ram´s horn. They say, it is necessary to blow the trumpet producing particular sounds, long Tki´a, changing Shvarim and with interruptions Tru´a.

The tradition explains, that the sounds represent the desperate cry of a sinner that realizes the depth of his fall and all his terrible sins. That is, the sound of the Shofar calls the people to repentance.

The whole week before this day it is a duty of every religious Jew to say "Slihot" ask God for forgiveness and to make proper all his relationship with his neighbor. These days including those between Rosh ha-Shanah and Yom ha-Kippurim are called "Yamim Nora´im" Terrible Days, because the righteous Judge of All will judge everyone according to his deeds.

Let us see what the Scriptures say regarding this day. In the book of Levi this day is called "A Memorial of Blowing of Trumpets" Leviticus 23:24.

What does this blowing of trumpets remind us of? Is it just a repenting sinners cry?

Does it have something more to proclaim?

The Scripture says the following words about this trumpet call:

In the book of Numbers 10, the Lord commands Moses to make two silver trumpets, to use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps in the desert. when they blew the trumpet Tru´a, the camps took their journey following the Lord. Today, when we hear this sound, we remember that the Lord is with us, and He also goes before us and leads us the way He lead our Fathers in the desert.

He cares for us and shows us the way to walk and makes us to rest at the place of rest. The sound of trumpet calls us to follow the Lord!

The same silver trumpets were to be blown while going out for war against the enemy, "And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies" Numbers 10:9.

Our God is our Savior. He is our defense and the wall of protection around us. He is our Victory over the enemy. The trumpet call reminds us of the perfect Victory we have in Him.

We were commanded to blow the trumpet also "In the Day of Your Gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God, I am the Lord your God" Numbers 10:10.

We have a reason to rejoice in the day of our joy as well as in the day of our sorrow the Lord remembers us! "I will not leave, nor forsake you," said our God. The sound of the trumpet brings us into remembrance before the Lord.

They blew the trumpet at enthroning the King in Israel. Do you remember Solomon? He was anointed as the King, and they blew the trumpet, exclaiming, "Long live King Solomon!"
1 Kings 1:34.

The people heard this trumpet call and rejoiced in God, because He kept His promise to David and established of his seed as a King over Israel. The trumpet call proclaims that the new King has been enthroned.

The Jewish tradition explains, that at Rosh ha-Shanah we enthrone the King in our hearts. We are to prepare our hearts and agree with His whole will for us. We must give our hearts to Him and let Him be the King in our life.

The anointed King ascended on His throne the Throne of Judgement. It was natural for all his enemies to tremble for fear before Him. When Solomon sat on his Throne, then Adoniah who himself wanted to be King fled and took hold of the Altars Horns 1 Kings 1:50.

Solomon promised him life, if he would prove himself to be a righteous person. Alleluia! The righteous do not have to fear the King! At the joyful day of His Enthronement He is ready to forgive us our unrighteousness and to clean us from all our iniquities, if the desire of our heart is to forsake our sin and to be honest before the King.

One does not need to weep and cry out "Slihot", and recite the transgressions´ list over a whole week before Rosh ha-Shanah to receive forgiveness from the Lord.

The King poured out His own life unto death to cleanse us from our sins. Now the silver trumpets of His Good News Bsorah sound redemption to everyone that receives God´s forgiveness in His beloved Son Yeshua. Yeshua ha-Mashiah ascended on His Throne! Our King reigns! He is the King in the Heavens above and on the Earth beneath.

His desire is to be the King in every human heart. Let us rededicate our hearts to Him a new today. He will reign in our life as our King, and we will be to Him His people. Let this New Year be the Year of His new reign in our hearts.

Last updated on September 15, 2005