This week is the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, traditionally known as the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah literally means “Head of the Year.” For our Jewish brothers and sisters we pray for peace in the coming year (Psalm 122:6-9). And for all of God’s people, we pray for His favor, protection, and blessing in each life. Here are a few highlights regarding this significant biblical feast.
In the Hebrew Bible, Rosh Hashanah is known as the Feast of Trumpets. The Jewish people traditionally used a ram’s horn as a trumpet (referred to as a shofar), although Moses also commanded for silver trumpets to be made. “Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month (which corresponds with October 2nd this year), you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets” (Num 29:1. See also Lev 23:23-25).
Historically, there were many designated uses for trumpets. They were used in the wilderness for gathering the assembly of Israel to the tent of meeting and for announcing when they were to journey. Trumpets were used in preparation for war, announcing days of gladness, heralding the celebration of the required feasts, announcing the beginning of months and the beginning of the year of Jubilee, and they were to be used when the people brought their sacrifices before the Lord (Num 10:1–10; Lev 25:8–10).
Heavenly trumpets sounded as the Lord descended on Mount Sinai and spoke to His people (Exod 19:16-20; 20:18; Heb 12:18–19). Also, when John the beloved received the testimony of Jesus, he heard a voice like a loud trumpet speaking to him (Rev 1:10; 4:1).
The sounding of trumpets has great eschatological significance. It proceeds the coming of the day of the Lord (Joel 2:1). And when Jesus appears in the clouds of the sky with great power and glory, “He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other” (Matt 24:31. See also 1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:16).
Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) is the beginning of a new year. It begins a ten-day period of repentance, known as “the Days of Awe,” culminating on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). According to ancient Jewish teachers, Rosh Hashanah has additional significance. It is believed to be the day that the world was created. Therefore, it is called “the day the world was conceived.” It is the time when God decides on the fate of Israel and remembers them in His mercy. And it is the time when the Lord makes His entries in the Book of Life. Both John the beloved and the apostle Paul reference God’s Book of Life (Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5; 13:8; 20:12; 21:27).
On this Feast of Trumpets, we can pray for the Jewish people, that in this new year their families will be rescued from those who hate them, and that their faith in God will be passed on to their children as they live securely in their land. Likewise, we can pray that this will be a year where God moves on behalf of all the families of those who believe in Jesus. That they will walk victoriously through the wars of culture that continually seeks to undermine the faith given to them by the Lord; and that through them the testimony of Jesus will be delivered to the nations and to their children and to each succeeding generation.
Comments