Messianic Significance of Rosh Hashanah...

 Reverend Daniel Rozen, Jerusalem, Israel © 2006 ~ E-mail:  israel_jfs@yahoo.com

Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah literally is "Head or beginning of the year." God’s Royalty (Coronation Day) Day of Judgment Remembrance (Yom Ha-Zikaron, the day of remembrance) Birthday of the world...

It is the Day of Judgment - As Jews worldwide examine their past deeds and asks for forgiveness for their sins

It is the Day of Shofar Blowing - As the Shofar (the rams horn) is blown in temple to herald the beginning of the 10-day period known as the High Holy Days

It is the Day of Remembrance - As Jews review the history of their people and pray for Israel

And of course it is New Year's Day - Celebrated with holiday greeting cards, special prayers, and festive and sweet foods (to ensure sweetness in the New Year)

Rosh Hashanah is observed the first and second day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, Tishri. Coming in the Fall season of the western calendar, usually in September.
 

The traditions of Rosh Hashanah are simple as the only commandment specified for the holiday is the blowing of the shofar. In temple the shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah to herald the beginning of the period known as the High Holy Days.

On Rosh Hashanah it is customary for families to gather together for the holiday meal. Traditional foods sweetened with honey, apples and carrots are served, symbolizing sweetness, blessings, abundance and the hope for a sweet year ahead.

"The first night's meal begins with apple dipped in honey. Challah, the bread usually eaten on the Sabbath (not braided as at regular meals but instead baked in a circle - a wish that the coming year will roll around smoothly without unhappiness or sorrow) is also dipped in honey before eating.

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The blowing of trumpets is a sign of the return of Messiah (Christ) and memorial of God’s grace to Abraham when He substituted a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac (Genesis 22). Isaac is a type of foreshadowing of Christ. Just as Abraham offered his son on the altar, God offered His son on Calvary’s altar. Hebrews 11:17-19, says "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." Both Isaac’s and Christ’s births were miracles. Both were obedient to the point of sacrifice.

Trumpets were used in giving signals of war. Yeshua is the commander of the army of God. The Jewish people were looking for a deliverer who would defeat the Roman army. Yeshua came, the first time, to defeat the work of Satan and the sin in men’s hearts. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15).

In the same way this feast speaks to the Christian about spiritual warfare. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Yeshua is our armor because He defeated Satan. When we put on Christ we will triumph over evil forces (Ephesians 6:11-13).

The Feast of Trumpets can be a very special time for believers in Yeshua. Our sins are not forgiven just when we "believe." James 2:19 says, "Thou believes that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." To be forgiven, we must have a repentant heart. We must come in submission to our Heavenly father, asking for forgiveness, knowing that He will forgive us, as a father forgives his child. That forgiveness which we seek has been guaranteed–bought and paid for by Yeshua atoning sacrifice on the tree...

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Specific uses for the Shofar

v     It was sounded to bring Moses to the top of the mountain to receive the Commandments. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up (Exodus 19:19-20).

v     It was a signal during time of war. And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them (Judges 3:27).

v     It was blown at the start of the Jubilee year. Then shall thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land (Leviticus 25:9).

v      It was blown during coronation services of a new King. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there, king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon (1 Kings 1:34).

v     It is a sign of the re-gathering of dispersed Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem (Isaiah 27:13).

v     It was sounded as a warning of danger. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid… (Amos 3:6).

v     And the greatest anticipation of all is the day of the arrival of the Messiah. And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south (Zechariah 9:14).

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NOVEMBER 2006 HIS SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE! Given to: Sara Jane, McKinleyville, CA, USA Scriptures: Psalm 106:1-5, Isaiah 61:4-9, I Peter 1:3-12, Ephesians 1:13-14, Matt. 25:34, Romans 8:14-17 and Proverbs1:8-9 Handmade by Vickey Powers