The Blowing of the Shofar ~ Feast of Trumpets

 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,

In the seventh month, in the first day of the month,

shall ye have a Sabbath,

a memorial of blowing of trumpets,

an holy convocation." Leviticus 23:23-24

The third of the sets of feasts ordained by the Lord begins with the Feast of Trumpets. It resounded in the Civil New Year in the month of Tishri at the beginning of the New Moon. "Yom T'ruah", the "day of blowing", was a time of new beginnings for the children of Israel, a time when the Lord would sit in judgment over the nations and people of the earth.

A court of three, one of those being the High Priest, would accept witness that the New Moon had been observed over Jerusalem. At that time, fires were lit on the Mount of Olives, a message which spread from hill to hill and beyond the boundaries of Israel that the first day of the seventh month had arrived. It was time to blow the trumpet and alert the people that the day of repentance had come.

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet,

and shew my people their transgression,

and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah 58:1

"God is gone up with a shout,

the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

Sing praises to God, sing praises:

sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

For God is the King of all the earth:

sing ye praises with understanding.

God reigneth over the heathen:

God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness." Psalm 47:5-6

"Blow up the trumpet in the new moon,

 in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

For this was a statute for Israel,

and a law of the God of Jacob." Psalm 81:1-4

"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet,

and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds,

from one end of heaven to the other." Matthew 24:31

Harken to the trumpet blast, ye people of the Lord.

Yahweh takes His seat on the great throne of judgment.

May His mercies be great and his graces abound.

A New Moon has arrived this eve.

A new beginning awaits as torches blaze on yonder mountain

and Tishri is heralded in on thy calendar.

Let the shrill blast call our souls to repentance

as we come before the Lord of Hosts

in contrition and searching.

We remember father Abraham, who received a ram

as substitution for the life of, Isaac

on the altar at Mount Moriah. May we too be faithful

anticipating the sweet and good provisions of Jehovah-Jireh.

We blow the silver tipped ram’s horn in gratitude

for the blood of Jesus, redemption for our sins,

the only son of our eternal Father.

May His name be exalted above all others.

Hear the blast in the heavenlies as we remember

and may the nations of the earth bear witness to

the covenants you have made with your people.

One short sharp blast for the righteousness we seek.

One resounding trump for our awe of your majesty and might.

Flow forth with many quivering trills as

mere mortals long to rest in your grandeur.

The Feast of Trumpets signals the counting of the ten days of repentance that lead up to Yom Kippur, the Holiest of Holy Days. With the blowing of the shofar, we are called to turn our eyes inward and upward. The blast has hearkened the Lord to His people as it hearkens His people to Him.

Those who have accepted the atoning blood of Yeshua have sought repentance for their sin. We are called to turn away from the ways of the world and walk in the light of the Kingdom. Rejoicing will follow as the Holy Spirit fills our lives. By studying the sequence as represented in the Fall Feasts, one sees the redemptive plan of The Creator. One day, just as the Messiah has been received by so many, so will His reign be trumpeted in by a repentant Israel. The two halves will be molded into one as there is repentance, atonement, and rejoicing. So it is foreshadowed in the Fall Feasts, so it shall be when His kingdom comes to earth.

Below is a prayer that was offered to the Lord during this season of Elul, the forty day period prior to The Day of Atonement. This is a heartfelt prayer of two siblings for their natural and spiritual families. Perhaps it might serve as a beneficial example as to how to how one might fashion their own petitions during this time of introspection.

Hear the blast of the trumpet, ye children of the Lord!

Hearken to His will & purpose your lives around His ordinances.

Be in His will in order that you may build up His Kingdom.

A Prayer from the Kinsman’s Redeemers

Most gracious Heavenly Father, we ask for your blessings on each and every one of our family. Guide each one of us in the way that pleases you. Put your finger on the slice that is your will. Strengthen us, heal us, help us, form us, and use us as only you can know. Help us each one to find the peace that comes from you alone and let us live our lives as examples of your love.

Our job has come clear today. We are to keep this family together, supported, and loved. We are to show each and every one your love through our own unique gifts and to help the others find their gifts. You have given us this family, each a precious treasure, and we thank you for these many, many blessings. We ask this in your name, Amen

written by Martha South and prayed by her and brother, John Michael Richardson

Hear the Shofar: http://www.shofarsrus.com/