I’ve been thinking about when the millennium changed. It was a really big deal! There was lots of controversy about what would happen to computers and everything that was in the tech world. Would everything crash? Would the lights all go out?
Whenever a year changes, or gets ready to change, there is always lots of speculation about what will come next. What will be ‘new’? What will change? Make resolutions…
The Jewish New Year is approaching. I will venture to say that most Christ-followers have no idea what this is or why it should be significant. In Leviticus chapter 23 God is giving to Moses and the Children of Israel instructions regarding the holy days. (God to Moses): “Go, talk to the Israelites. Tell them that I have appointed certain feasts to be celebrated. You are to honor these times and declare them as sacred assemblies (vs. 1,2) …tell them to observe a day of Sabbath rest in the autumn on the first day of the seventh month. Commemorate this day and call together a sacred assembly by sounding the trumpets…” (vs. 24).
The Jewish New Year is not the same as how the rest of the world celebrates the January 1st New Year, with parties and revelry. The time between Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement are called the Days of Awe. Rosh Hashanah is a festive time of remembrance, a day of judgement, a coronation day, and the birthday of the world, all wrapped into one feast.
To break it down and hopefully make this easier to understand, here is a short description of what each of the descriptors represents.
Remembrance – to remember Abraham and his absolute trust that God would provide as he was willing to offer his son, Isaac as a sacrifice. Remembering that God remembered the prayers of Sarah, Hannah, and Rachel.
Day of Judgement – In Jewish tradition, God determines the fate of people for the coming year. The greeting on this feast day is, ‘L-shana Tovah’ may you have a sweet year, and may your name be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year (Talmud Rosh Hashanah).
Coronation Day – This is the first day of the civic calendar, the head of the year. This is a symbol of the Kingship of God and His royalty.
Birthday of the World – Jewish tradition says that this was the day that God created the world.
The shofar is also significant as it is blown many times on this day. That’s why it is also called the Feast of Trumpets. Trumpets were used to call the people to assemble, announce festivals, and in signaling war. Trumpet blowing will happen at the end of days. The Apostle John in his Revelation states, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (the first day of the week), and I heard a voice behind me. It sounded like the blast of a trumpet.”
As the fall holy days approach followers of Christ should recognize the significance and symbolic nature of the days. I challenge you to take a few moments on this day, Rosh Hashanah, to acknowledge the promises of God, to be thankful for His creation, for His plan of salvation, and pray for His coming soon to reign in glory!
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