Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 81:3-4)
As we begin, it should be noted that there are different types of trumpets mentioned in the Bible. For instance, God commanded the people to fashion two silver trumpets which were used “for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps” (Numbers 10:10). The most recognized Biblical trumpet, however, is the shofar or ram’s horn which is the type of trumpet referred to in the verse above. It should also be noted that the sounding of the shofar at specific times during the year is not just a custom, it is a commandment — “a law of the God of Jacob.”
On the surface it might be hard to ascertain the purpose of this commandment, especially when it comes to why the shofar is to be sounded at specific times. But if we look a bit deeper into what the shofar actually is — better yet, what it represents — perhaps we could understand why God commanded it. Consider that in order to hold the shofar in your hand means that an animal had to surrender it. Perhaps it was through natural means but in most cases it was because, in the Biblical era, the animal was sacrificed. A prime example is the ram who caught in the thicket by its horns, and sacrificed in Isaac’s stead (Genesis 22:13). The point is, the sound of the shofar — (the Hebrew text is literally rendered “the voice”) — reminds us that innocent blood was shed for the sake of others.
Everything God does and says is for a reason; in other words, there is nothing superfluous recorded in Scripture. Therefore, when God commanded Israel to sound the shofar at specific and important times of the year, there was a legitimate reason. I will suggest His primary reason was to call attention to an event that all those holy days pointed to — the most important event ever to occur in human history. Of course, I’m referring to the sacrifice of the Innocent Son of God, spilling His blood on behalf of all mankind.
Put simply, the sound of the shofar is emblematic of God’s Voice calling out and telling us that He has made a way for us to return to Him. So the next time you hear the shofar sounding, don’t dismiss it as something of no regard; it is the voice of innocent blood calling out to all who will listen. It is a call to abandon our errant ways and return to our Creator.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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