HIGH HOLIDAYS THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS. Text: Numbers 29:1-6

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1 HIGH HOLIDAYS THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS Text: Numbers 29:1-6 Key Word: Trumpet Key Thought: What Changes Does the Trumpet Signal in Our Lives? Anyone who follows the Jewish calendar of events would know that Friday, September 22/06 introduced an important Feast for our Jewish friends. It is known as Rosh Hashanah or The Feast of Trumpets. I. THE MEANING OF ROSH HASHANAH This feast was clearly recorded in Scripture (Leviticus 23:23-25; Number 29:1-6). Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish festival which commemorates the New Year. During this time of year the Jewish people partake of the custom of dipping an apple into honey and eating it on the evening of Rosh Hashana. This is a symbol of the Jewish home and family as well as an expression of optimism for a brighter future. Rosh Hashanah literally means Head of the Year. Its observance was radically altered after the destruction of the second temple in A.D. 70. Its interesting that this name was never given to it until the second century A.D. which was 1500 years after its institution. Its timing coincides with the beginning of Israel s civic New Year. Therefore, it is observed in the autumn of our year. It occurs on the first day of Tishri, the seventh Hebrew month, which also corresponds with the New Moon. No other celebration occurs during the New Moon; most happening during a full moon. Two other significant holidays occur this month Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) on Tishri 10 and The Feast of Tabernacles on Tishri 15. II. THE OBSERVANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH The Bible has only a few brief recordings of this day. It is noted that a special burnt offering was offered consisting of a young bull, a ram, as well as seven lambs. A kid goat was also offered as a sin offering. These were added to the daily sacrifices (Numbers 28:1-8) as well as those required for the New Moon (Numbers 28:11-15). There is one recorded case of this observance in scripture. It took place at the time when Ezra led the people during the rebuilding of the Temple altar and the sacrifices were once again reinstituted after the return of the exiles from Babylonian exile (Ezra 3:1-6). Nehemiah tells that a wonderful revival took place that same day as Ezra read from the Book of the Law before all the people (Nehemiah 7:73b-8:12). Page 1 of 7

2 III. THE SYMBOLISM OF ROSH HASHANAH Cry with full throat, without restraint. Raise your voice like a ram s horn. Isaiah 58:1 Jewish Rendition The Shofar was sounded at the foot of Mount Sinai to alert the Israelites that the Torah was being revealed. At Jericho the Shofar was sounded and the walls of that great city came tumbling down. During the 2 day holiday of Rosh Hashanah the Shofar would be sounded 100 times each day in sequences of 3 or 4 blasts. The people would listen in complete silence in a time of spiritual concentration and reflection. A. There Were 4 Types of Blasts 1. The first was called the tekiah. It was a long, steady blast that lasted for several seconds. 2. The second was known as shevarim (Hebrew- broken) which were three brief tones that were wavering or broken. It symbolized that our lives are broken and in need of healing. 3. The third is called teruah is made up of several staccato blasts. These quick, successive blasts remind someone of a siren or an alarm clock. 4. The fourth was known as tekiah gedolah which means large tekiah. This one last several seconds longer that the tekiah. It takes all of the blower s might to make this long lasting sound. It causes the people to think about what they are investing to their lives to live wholeheartedly for God. Page 2 of 7

3 III. THE SYMBOLISM OF ROSH HASHANAH (Contd.) B. Three Groups of People Are Involved with Each Blast 1. There is the skilled blower of the rams horn. 2.The second is either a rabbi or a respected person of the congregation who calls out the name of each blast as well as reinforcing the meaning of the sound. 3. The third group are the listeners. They often would cover themselves in their prayer shawls (tallitot) and stand in silence as they searched their hearts and prayed for renewal. They would think about how they lived their lives in the past year and how they could improve through prayer, repentance and charity. They may also be reminded of those they must make amends to. Before they asked for forgiveness from God they first sought reconciliation from anyone they had wronged. It became a moment of promise and hope of a better year. The sound of the Shofar stripped away any excuses of the past and caused the people to reflect upon how they should live. It caused them to look at life honestly and humbly ask for forgiveness from their family, friends and God. It was a time of introspection. Could I have been more patient to my parents? More forgiving of my spouse? More supportive with my fiend?. Listening more to my children? Standing up to social justice? The sounding of the Shofar helped to strip away pretences and inspired them to start the New Year with a fresh sense of purpose, direction and humility. To put things simply, it was a time for Making Room for God. Wake up from your deep sleep, you who are fast asleep Search your deeds and repent. Remember your Creator. Examine your souls... mend your ways and deeds. IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH A. Snapping out of the Ordinary Mainomnides Hil Teshuvah 3:4 Why do WE sound the Shofar? It reminds us of many wonderful truths. We are a creature from the physical realm and are often only aroused and inspired to action by something stirring, something that will cause us to snap out of the ordinary routine. We see this concept in practice at a time of war. In order to stir up the troops, trumpets are sounded, in hope that this arouses and motivates the soldiers to action. On Rosh HaShana, we do the same. We "awaken" by means of the Shofar, all who are to be judged on this day. Page 3 of 7

4 IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH (Contd.) A. Snapping out of the Ordinary (Contd.) We try to incite all who have sinned to plead with God and request mercy from Him when we are being judged. God is receptive, as He is gracious, compassionate and forgiving, of those who return to Him with a complete heart. If the sounding of the Shofar has its intended effect, God will graciously accept the repentance of all on Rosh HaShana. B. Inspired to Break Away The sounds that emanates from and the shape of the Shofar are meant to inspire us as well. The Shofar is a reminder that man should strive to break the impulses of his heart which are evil with the sinful cravings of the world. How does the sound of the Shofar accomplish this? The actual sound emitted from the Shofar is broken; it is not one straight note, but a series of staccato blasts. The broken sound reminds us that we have a job of "breaking" to do as well - the breaking of our evil inclination. We need to start climbing to new heights - to the top of life. The shape of the Shofar is not straight like a trumpet. Rather, the end of the Shofar is curved and bent. This bent shape is to remind us that we should bend our hearts in subservience to God. It is a wake-up call to turn hearts to God in repentance. So Rosh Hashana is a paradox. On the one hand it is a celebration -- the sweetness of a new year, along with festive clothes and special foods. On the other hand it is a day of judgment: "Who will live and who will die?" The people were accustomed to believe that God would use this time to bring judgement for unconfessed sin. And yet, the prayers of Rosh Hashana mention nothing about repentance. There is no confession of our sins, no regret about the past, no recriminations. So, is Rosh Hashana a day of repentance, or not? We know it's a day of judgment. And if we are being judged for our behaviour this past year, then we'd expect to see at least a few repentance days coming before the day of judgment, not after. And why are we judged on the first day of the new year? Wouldn't it be more fitting to be judged at the end of the previous year? Some way to celebrate a Happy New Year -- go on trial! C. Make a Plan for Your Life It is believed that God judges His world and the creatures within it on this day, determining their worthiness of existence and their status and circumstances for the new year. How does God decide whether we are signed in the Book of Life? Jews are expected on this day to conceive a plan, to engage in a vision of the future, to have ambition and desire to take an active part in the Almighty's supreme kingdom in the coming year. And this is what the judgment is based on. Page 4 of 7

5 IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH (Contd.) C. Make a Plan for Your Life (Contd.) A key to this process is to make a plan that will liberate you from the things that hold you back. WITHOUT A PLAN, IT IS HARD TO SHOW GOD THAT YOU ARE SERIOUSLY COMMITTED TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE. We must evaluate where we are and where we need to go. The Hebrew word for this evaluation is cheshbon which means "a spiritual accounting." The First Step in Making a Plan Is to Determine Your Goals. What do I want my life to look like five years from now? How will I implement these goals? Do I have a series of more realistic, short-term goals? What will I use to monitor my progress? Think of the potential of such a system when applied to relationships, career, and spirituality! If you see a potential difficulty brewing, take the time now to deal with it before it becomes a major problem later. The beauty of cheshbon is that it not only safeguards us from making mistakes, but it also increases our productivity and pleasure in the areas where we already excel. Is it time in your life to set plans for a better future? Are there things you would like to see changed from your past ways? If you are truly determined then I suggest that you TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE. I ve included a page to guide you in the process. Take it home with you and begin a new chapter in your life. C:\My Documents\WPWin(11.0)\Sermons.2006\\Numbers 29_1.6.wpd Date: Sept 24/06 Place: FCA Time: 10:30 Am Song: Reign in Me - G; Refiner s Fire (Purify My Heart) - F Page 5 of 7

6 HIGH HOLIDAYS THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS Text: Numbers 29:1-6 Key Word: Trumpet Key Thought: What Changes Does the Trumpet Signal in Our Lives? I. THE MEANING OF ROSH HASHANAH - Leviticus 23:23-25; Number 29:1-6 II. THE OBSERVANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH - Numbers 28:1-8, 11-15; Ezra 3:1-6; Nehemiah 7:73b-8:12 III. THE SYMBOLISM OF ROSH HASHANAH - Isaiah 58:1 A. There Were 4 Types of Blasts 1. The first was called the tekiah. 2. The second was known as shevarim 3. The third is called teruah 4. The fourth was known as tekiah gedolah B. Three Groups of People Are Involved with Each Blast 1. There is the skilled blower of the rams horn. 2.The second is either a rabbi or a respected person of the congregation 3. The third group are the listeners. To put things simply, it was a time for Making Room for God. IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH A. Snapping out of the Ordinary B. Inspired to Break Away C. Make a Plan for Your Life The first step in making a plan is to determine your goals. What do I want my life to look like five years from now? How will I implement these goals? Do I have a series of more realistic, short-term goals? What will I use to monitor my progress?

7 TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE Try the following exercise: Write out a list of all the major areas of your life. These will be the specific areas that you will monitor on a regular basis -- either daily, weekly or monthly. For each category, identify specific questions that cut to the core of the issue. Try to be as comprehensive as you can. Here are some possible areas you might choose: 1. Relationships - Am I spending quality time with people I care about? Am I showing enough patience, compassion and respect toward co-workers, friends -- and strangers? Do I look for virtues in others? Do I listen attentively to others? Do I take joy in the success and accomplishments of others? 2. Spirituality - Am I focussed on appreciating the beauty and unity of my inward spirit? Do I pray with concentration and understanding? Do I realize that God is the source of all life, including the challenges as well? 3. Character Development - Am I aware of times when I am arrogant, sarcastic or critical? Do I appreciate the pleasure of all that I have - both materially and spiritually? Am I careful not to waste precious time? 4. Bible Study. Have I set aside specific times daily for Bible study? Have I worked to make difficult Biblical concepts relevant to my life today? Have I progressed in my knowledge the Bible? 5. Career - Have I selected a career that satisfies my innate need for meaning and accomplishment? Have I created a work environment free of jealousy, gossip, and immodest behaviour? 6. Global and Community Concerns - Am I actively involved in contributing to the improvement of my community? Am I idealistic about the possibility of repairing the world? Am I engaged in communicating this ideal to others? Do I feel pain for Jews and other ethnic groups who are assimilated and estranged from their heritage? 7. Health - Am I eating well and exercising regularly? Am I aware of relevant new medical information? 8. Financial - Do I have a plan for handling unforeseen expenses? Am I quick to pay off debts? Do I give to God s work regularly as He has provided? PINPOINT YOUR GOALS Have you clearly established short-term and long-term goals? Are your actions leading to those goals? Do you have a workable system for monitoring your progress? Now, spend some time refining your lists, in a way that will identify your three most important goals. Then write these three in order of priority. Then you will have finished a "Lifetime Goals Statement." After you finish, ask yourself, "Can I make this reality?" Brainstorm different ways of overcoming whatever obstacles that prevent you from getting where you want to go.