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Today is Wednesday February 25, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read Numbers Chapters 28 & 29 in your Bible. You can also read it by Clicking Here,
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Today's Message: Sound of Trumpets
When we consider the trumpets sounding the end of time as we know it, the Word of God becomes all the more meaningful

The Israelites' civil year began in the fall with the Feast of Trumpets, It was held on the first day of October, which began the Jewish civil New Year. By this time, the harvest was over and the silver trumpets called them from the busy cares and thoughts of earthly things that had occupied their time for many months. "And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you." (Numbers 29:1). Unlike our Julian calendar which marks the New Year on January 1, the Hebrew calendar paradoxically features two different months to designate the start a new year. Each depends on the event to be recognized. Since the Lord listed the First month in Exodus as being during the time of the Passover, Nisan (which roughly corresponds to our March/April depending on the lunar cycle) is generally considered the first month of the Hebrew Year.

Instead of blowing the trumpets at the time of offering the sacrifice, it was a day of blowing trumpets from morning to evening. In addition to the daily sacrifices, eleven animals were offered on the first of every month. "And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot; And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram; And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering." (Numbers 28:11-15). They offered a young bullock, a ram, and seven lambs with the usual Meat (Meal) Offering, and an additional Sin Offering. Even in this scene of thanksgiving and worship, the sin offering was needed.

The Feast of Trumpets was followed ten days after by the solemn Day of Atonement, which was followed by the Feast of Tabernacles. It was a time of great rejoicing and lasted for seven days, from the 15th through the 21st of Tishri (September/October). "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.........And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month." (Leviticus 23:33-34,40-41). The Feast of Tabernacles was the last festival of the religious year. For seven days, all the residents of Israel dwelt in temporary booths (tabernacles, shelters) as an annual reminder of the time when they dwelt in tents during the 40 years in the wilderness. The trees used for these temporary dwellings also had symbolic meanings. The trees provided shade as well as reminded the people of the Lord's protection and provision. The palm tree was the emblem of victory and the olive tree was a symbol of peace and God's presence. The willow tree of the brook signified a thriving and blessed people.

The longest period of time between any of the feasts was between the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in the early part of Summer and the Feasts of the Trumpets in in the fall. During the intervening months there was no fixed time appointed when God would meet with His people. The long period of time is the design of God foretelling the long lapse of time from the arrival of the Holy Spirit as promised by our Savior on the day of Pentecost to the return of Christ. Almost two thousand years have passed since Christ's death and resurrection, we need to remind ourselves every time the sun sets that we are one day closer to that great day.

Today's Psalm: 47:5-9
"God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises."

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day and enjoy the rest of your week.
God Bless,
Christina

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