Favor of Zion

Day of Atonement 2009

Have you ever wished there were been cameras back in Bible days--so we modernites could "see the action?"  I mean, for us earthoids it's just not the same to read about the six days of creation...or the thunder and smoke on Sinai...or the whirlwind that took Elijah to heaven. 

One of the most suspenseful narratives in Scripture, in my opinion, is the detailing of the proceedings on the Day of Atonement.  Think of it: this was the one time all year for the High Priest could actually enter into the presence of God (in the Holy of Holies) to make intercession and atonement for the nation.  Listen to how the narrative starts: "Tell...Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die."  Talk about intrigue!

There's a reason Aaron couldn't just go in at any old time.  There's a reason no pictures were left behind of the Ark, or of the Holy of Holies.   There's a reason we don't have any pictures of what heaven looks like.  The reason is simply this: God is a God of holiness and majesty.  He sets the rules, and we abide by them.  Period.

More on the Feast of Trumpets

"'On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets" (Numbers 29:1). 

Yesterday was Yom T'ruah (the Feast of Trumpets--aka Rosh Hashanah).  Did you even notice?

What is Yom T'ruah?  Well, as we discussed last week, it is a time of PREPARATION--preparation, that is, for followers of Yeshua to enter into our priestly role.  After all, the sound of the shofar (or "trumpet") is an awakening sound--awakening its hearers to the onset of an event of much importance! 

The Hebrew word translated as "to sound" or "to blow" is t'ruah.  Another translation for T'ruah is "to shout."  We see this in Joshua's command to "give a loud shout" after marching around Jericho's walls the seventh time (Joshua 6:5).  We see this in the rebuilding of the Temple, when the people "gave a great shout of praise" (Ezra 3:11).  We see it in the declaration of Psalm 47:1: "God has ascended amid shouts of joy". 

Interesting, isn't it, that the Apostle Paul prophesied that Yeshua will return (or descend) to earth with a shout and a trumpet call (1 Thessalonians 4:16)!  Any ideas now of THE great event that this holiday points to???

Yeshua's return spells judgement to the anti-God systems of this world (Psalm 9:8).  The nations who do not honor His covenant with His chosen land will perish (Psalm 60:12). 

So how are things lining up now?

Reflections on the season we are in

"'On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets."(Numbers 29:1)

This is one of my favorite times of year.  I love the climate, the beautiful fall colors...and the anticipation of what lies ahead.

This coming Friday evening marks the start of Yom T'ruah--the "day of blowing."  It is the Biblical calendar day that is marked by shabbat (rest) and by the blowing of shofars.  While Scripture has little to say about the purpose for this day, we know from context that it is all about one word: PREPARATION!