Topical Encyclopedia The Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah in Jewish tradition, is one of the appointed feasts of the Lord, as outlined in the Old Testament. It is celebrated on the first day of the seventh month, Tishri, and marks the beginning of the civil new year in the Jewish calendar. This feast is characterized by the blowing of trumpets, a sacred assembly, and a day of rest.Biblical Foundation The Feast of Trumpets is instituted in Leviticus 23:23-25 : "The LORD also said to Moses, 'Speak to the Israelites and say, "On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts. You must not do any regular work, but you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD."'" The trumpet, or shofar, is a ram's horn that is blown to signal the beginning of this holy day. The sound of the trumpet is a call to repentance and a reminder of God's sovereignty and the coming judgment. Celebration After the Captivity After the Babylonian captivity, the Feast of Trumpets was celebrated with renewed joy and significance. The return from exile marked a period of restoration and rebuilding for the Israelites, both physically and spiritually. The observance of the Feast of Trumpets during this time is recorded in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 8:1-3 describes the gathering of the people: "When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand." The reading of the Law and the subsequent celebration were marked by great joy and reverence. Nehemiah 8:9-12 further illustrates this: "Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, 'This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.' For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.' The Levites calmed all the people, saying, 'Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.' Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them." Significance and Symbolism The Feast of Trumpets holds deep symbolic meaning. It is a time of introspection and preparation for the Day of Atonement, which follows ten days later. The trumpet blasts serve as a spiritual wake-up call, urging the people to examine their lives and return to God with sincere hearts. In a broader theological context, the Feast of Trumpets is seen as a foreshadowing of the return of Christ. The New Testament references the sound of the trumpet in relation to the second coming of Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 states, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." Thus, the Feast of Trumpets is not only a historical observance but also a prophetic symbol of future hope and redemption. Nave's Topical Index Nehemiah 8:2,9-12And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. Nave's Topical Index Library At the Feast of Tabernacles In Judaea Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources What are the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in the Book of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgIs the last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4 the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org What are the different Jewish festivals in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Trumpets: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |