Seven-Feasts of Israel:
8. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)
Today the Feast of Trumpets is celebrated as Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New year. Biblically the name Rosh Hashanah does not appear in the Bible; the Hebrew means “Head of the Year”. Following the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 the Feast of Trumpets could no longer be literally celebrated. Rosh Hashanah took the place of this feast. Rosh Hashanah, today, combines elements of the Feast of Trumpets as the nation awaits the redemption of Messiah. The feast of Trumpets is listed as the fifth feast designated by the Lord for Israel to follow.
23 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
The trumpet plays a significant role in both Old and New Testaments. The Fall Feasts, in the seventh month, begin with the Feast of Trumpets. These are the final feasts God established with the nation of Israel in Leviticus Chapter 23. From the first four feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Weeks we see literal fulfillment in the work of Messiah. His first coming for The Fall Feasts, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles also corresponds to the work of Messiah. These feasts correspond to the Second Coming of the Messiah as foretold in the scriptures.
Jesus reminded his followers in Luke that His suffering and rejection was foretold in the words of Moses and the prophets. Jesus fulfilled Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits in death, burial and resurrection. The feast of Weeks was fulfilled as the Holy Spirit of God fell upon the believers in the upper room.
Luke 24; 25-27, 44-45
25 He said to them, How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself…44 He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
In the Feast of Trumpets we see God’s plan of Redemption completed in the Second coming of the Messiah.
THE MEANING OF ROSH HASHANAH/ FEAST OF TRUMPETS
The Biblical Hebrew name for this feast is Zikhron Teruah (Memorial of blowing [of trumpets], Lev. 23:24) or Yom Teruah (Day of Blowing [trumpets] Num. 29:1). The term Rosh Hashanah was not applied to this feast until the 2nd Century A.D. with the Temple destroyed and the Jewish people scattered after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem observation of the day had to be changed.
THE TIME OF ROSH HASHANAH
The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) takes place on the first day of the month of Tishri, the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. This corresponds to mid-September to early October of our calendar. The Bible calls for a one day holiday, except today it is celebrated as a 2-day feast.
The reason for the two days is the result of trying to find the exact time the feast occurs. Since the feast occurs on the first day of the seventh month the new moon was the start of the month. Many times, because of clouds and weather, it was hard to spot a new moon. Once a “New Moon” was spotted distant Jewish communities would be notified via bonfires. Since it took time to notify and certify, Rosh Hashanah was celebrated for two days.
RECORD OF ROSH HASHANAH
The celebration of Trumpets is simple. Israel is told to memorialize the first day of the seventh month with the blowing of trumpets and sacrifice. Israel is to keep the day as a Sabbath day of rest. (Lev. 23:23-25; Num. 29:1)
Regarding the Temple service, Israel was to offer additional sacrifices for the seventh month. (Num. 29:2-6) A young bull, ram, and seven lambs were offered as a burnt offering; along with a kid goat as a sin offering. These sacrifices were in addition to the “New Moon” (Nu. 28:11-150 and “Daily” offerings (Num. 28:1-8) Israel was required to offer.
Only once is scripture is it recorded that the Feast of Trumpets was celebrated. After Israel returned from the Babylonian captivity the Temple altar was rebuilt. During this time, on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra read from the law; and the people celebrated the feasts of the seventh month. (Ezra 3:1-6, Neh. 7:73-8:13)
The number plays a significant role in scripture. God created the heavens and the earth in six-days and rested on the seventh. God assigned the seventh day as a day of rest to His people. Even the years were broken down into seven-year periods with the celebration of Jubilee on the 50th year; after seven periods of seven-years. (Ex. 20:8-10; Lev. 25:4)
· 7th month is set aside
TYPES OF TRUMPETS
Scripture lists two types of Trumpets Israel was to use. One trumpet was made from silver and fashioned into long trumpet with a flared tip at the end. (Num. 10:1-2) The priest would sound these trumpets over sacrifices as a memorial to the Lord. (Num. 10:10) These trumpets were also used to mark the beginning and end of the Sabbath. The other type of Trumpet was called the Shofar made from a ram’s horn. This trumpet was used historically for the celebration of the feast of Trumpets. The ram’s horn trumpet, the Shofar, was also designated as the trumpet for the year of Jubilee. (Lev. 25:9) According to Exodus, God blew the Shofar on the mountain.
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, 19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
Jewish tradition believes the First trumpet sounded on Sinai, and the Second trumpet (Shofar) will sound when the Messiah comes.
14 Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, 15 and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. 16 The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.