The Shofar Trumpet Blast

“It came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes, a thick cloud upon the mountain, and a loud trumpet sound so that all the people in the camp trembled. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder”; (Ex. 19:16, 19 NASB)

The voice of the trumpet blast is the signal of the herald calling attention to a proclamation about to be made. God commanded Moses to prepare the people for His appearance or to hear Him speaking to them. No one was to ascend the mountain or even touch its outermost edge. But, when the horn was blown with a long blast, and as the signal to approach was given, they could ascend it; (v.21). This shofar blast is sometimes referred to as “the first trump” of God.

There are four Primary Types of Shofar Blasts:

Tekiah – a long single blast (the sound of the King’s coronation).
Shevarim – three short wail-like blasts (signifying repentance).
Teru’ah – Nine staccato blasts of alarm (to awaken the slumbering soul).
Tekiah-ha-Godol – A great long blast (for as long as you can blow!).

The general custom is to first blow tekiah, followed by shevarim, followed by teruah, and to close with tekiah hagadol.

The Ram’s Horn

The shofar reminds me of the ram caught in the thicket by its horns which wasn’t just happenstance but by God’s design. God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The ram in a bush was a replacement sacrifice for Isaac; (Gen. 22:13; Matt. 3:17). This is a picture of the substitutionary sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Abraham’s faith in God’s eternal promise afforded him a place in the “Hall of Faith”; (Heb. 11:17-20).

For the believer, the blast of the shofar represents the loud shout of God’s victory over the power of sin and death. The last day, the coming of Christ, is to be announced by “the trump of God.”

Prayer: May the LORD God bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He grant you peace throughout the New Year. May you be made ready to hear the sound of the heavenly shofar that will call you into His glorious presence.

Rejoice and be glad in the New Year!

Source Ref: http://www.hebrew4christians.com; “The Significance of the Shofar”; The Holy Bible