Shofar So Good - Our Hebrew Heritage Series
September 16, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A Show Rosh Hashanah video
B Today is the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish spiritual new year.
1 The main them of Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) is repentance.
a It is a day when the people of Israel take stock of their spiritual condition & make necessary changes to insure that the upcoming year will be pleasing to God.
b One of the most significant moments of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar, ram’s horn.
c In Biblical times it was understood when the shofar blew something was about to happen that people should take notice of.
aa Assembled the armies for war, directed battlefield maneuvering during conflict.
bb Blown to mark the beginning of Sabbath.
cc To proclaim the sovereignty of God (IL. God Save the Queen, All Hail to the Chief; Kings, Priests, modern-day president of Israel. God is KING)
dd 6 If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it? Amos 3:6 (NASB)
To inspire awe.
ee A call to repentance.
2 In Gen. 22 Abraham’s faith was about to be tested in sacrificing his son, Isaac.
a 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"8 Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."12 He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.14 Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the Lord it will be provided." Gen 22:4-14 (NASB)
aa Abraham demonstrated to God that he loved Him more than the gift (Isaac) He gave him by offering him to Him.
bb As Abraham is about to thrust his knife into Isaac’s body . . . God said, “I’ll provide a sacrifice.”
cc A ram, whose horns were caught in the thorns, was sacrificed instead of Isaac.
b A lamb would stand in for Isaac (vicarious atonement.)
aa This spot would later be bought by King David where his son Solomon would build the Temple, the holiest of all sanctuaries, where thousands of animals would be sacrificed for the sins of the Jewish people.
bb This would be the spot where Jesus Messiah would give His own life as an atonement for the sins of the world.
c The sounding of the ram’s horn reminds Jews of Abraham’s great faith as he willing to do whatever the Lord asked him to do . . . no matter what the cost . . . God will provide.
aa 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. Gen 22:4 (NASB) Perhaps Abraham saw ahead in time to when God would provide another lamb whose head would be surrounded by thorns, for all of mankind.
bb 56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." John 8:56(NASB)
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. Isaiah 53:6-7 (NASB)
d 400 years later, God’s voice trumpted over Mt. Sinai.
aa 18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. Ex 19:18-19 (NASB)
18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Ex 20:18 (NASB)
3 Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances ; and all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!" Ex 24:3 (NASB)
bb Sages said all of creation heard the law given (Romans 2.14-15) but only Israel responded (24.3).
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, Romans 2:14-15 (NASB)
cc Only Israel reacted rightly to God’s command.
I Because the shofar is made from the horn of a ram, it is often symbolizes power or militarily authority.
A There three great military examples in Scripture that present the shofar as a symbol of power.
1 The first instance was when the Walls of Jericho came down after a week-long of marching along the walls of the city.
a Seven priests led the parade around walls (once a day for six days, seven times on the seventh day)
b When the shofar blasted the message of God’s victory the walls fell flat at the armies feet
5 "It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat , and the people will go up every man straight ahead." Josh 6:5 (NASB)
c No wall, weapon formed against you by man or the devil stands a chance in the presence of God’s voice of victory.
2 The second instance of the shofar in military action was when Gideon led a group of 300 men against an overwhelming hostile force.
a Each man was given a shofar, a pitcher with a lamp hidden inside, & commanded to surround the enemies’ camp in the valley.
b When the order was given (Judges 7.16-18), the warriors blew their shofars, broke their pitchers exposing their lamps.
16 He divided the 300 men into three companies , and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers.17 He said to them, "Look at me and do likewise. And behold, when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do.18 "When I and all who are with me blow the trumpet, then you also blow the trumpets all around the camp and say, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.' " Judges 7:16-18 (NASB)
c The enemy was confused, struck in fear routed by a smaller army armed with lamps & trumpets! (It was believed the shofar confused the evil powers in the heavenlies, even frightening them awaking from the camp of Israel.
aa Those who believe God to win the battle with sound of His voice.
c A third instance will come in the climactic battle of the ages by a Lamb with seven horns
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. Rev 5:6 (NASB)
aa Armageddon will be won when the Word of God that proceeds from the Messiah’s mouth destroys the enemy force
8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming 2 Thess 2:8 (NASB)
15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. Rev 19:15 (NASB)
bb The power symbolized by the seven horns will subdue all the armies that have gathered themselves against Jerusalem & the people of God.
cc These armies are already aligning themselves against Jerusalem.
B Radical Islamic militants (Shia & Sunni) are rising to power in one country after another.
1 Lawlessness is spreading, Arab Spring (promising free nations, free elections, freedom of speech/worship) has been taken hostage by radical Islamists.
a Violence against Jews, Christians, and Americans is intensifying.
b The new leaders of Libya are radical Islamists w/ a hatred for Israel & U.S. (This week stormed U.S. Embassy, killing Ambassador Christopher Stevens & three staff members)
aa Egyptian President Morsi is committed to a holy war against Israel & US; last month for the first time in a generation an Egyptian leader visited Iran to rebuild Islamic ties, last week 2,000 protesters stormed our U.S. Embassy in Cairo, tore down the American Flag, raised the flag of Islam. ($1.5 billion a year to aid to Egypt)
bb http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/09/13/israeli-arab-official-warns-of-armageddon-over-anti-islam-film/
2 Pray for peace but prepare for war! There is hope because God is still sovereign, on His throne, Prayer hearing/prayer answering God!
II The Journey of the Shofar
A When the horn is separated from the ram or antelope, the animal dies in the process of removing the horn.
1 Before this horn was removed it was used to determine the creatures status, dominion, rule/reigns within the herd.
a Bigger the horn, the bad-der the ram.
b The point of the horn is where he would battle for dominance.
aa That point had wounded other sheep . . . perhaps killed other sheep.
bb When the horn was removed, the host animal died.
cc No more battling for status, dominion, rules, reigns, biggest, baddest ram is among the heard.
2 Dying to self is not optional for Christians.
a 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24 (NASB)
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal 6:14 (NASB)
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross , so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NASB)
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality , impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. Col 3:3-7 (NASB)
b In order to be in God’s Will you have to be out of your own.
B After the horn has been separated from its host it is boiled in salty, hot water to soften the hard horn.
1 The horn is made from keriteen (the same thing that your fingernails/toenails are made of) that becomes pliable after it gets wet.
a Many moms will trim their baby’s nails after a bath because the nails are easier to cut.
b After the horn has been boiled, all the flesh & blood removed, the Shofar maker puts a twist in the horn so when it blown, the right sound will be made.
aa There is purging process to get rid of everything that shouldn’t be there.
bb When you are born-again there is a purging process that gets ride of pride, self-will, selfishness, self-esteem - - - anything that causes us to think about ourselves first & God second.
2 When we are brought under the blood of Jesus we have our sins removed from us.
a 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self , which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,24 and put on the new self , which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Eph 4:22-25 (NASB)
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Col 3:1 (NASB)
5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 2 Cor 5:5 (NASB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Cor 5:17 (NASB)
b When I was a boy I hated to tell my mom that my tooth was aching.
aa She’d give me the asprien for the immediate relief of pain, She’d take me to the dentist in the next few days and he’d mess with all my teeth. Put all my teeth in permanent order.
bb Many go to God to take care of this/that sin they’re ashamed of . . . He’ll cure you alright but He won’t stop there! You’ll get the full treatment.
cc Christ tells us to count the cost before we start the journey because He wants to make us perfect!
28 "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:28 (NASB)
c When we invite Christ to live in our heart we’re not surprised when He starts replacing wiring & leaks in the roof (we knew they needed repaired/fixed) but when He starts tearing out walls, adding floors, landscaping, running up towers you have to go to Him.
aa I’m not building a nice little cottage for you to live in here.
bb I’m building a palace . . . I’M GOING TO LIVING HERE!
cc He will put just the right amount of twist on us to get the right sound from us.
d When we submit to that boiling, immersion, the Great Rabbi in heaven will form us into the instrument He wants us to be.
C Once boiled & twisted, the horn is placed out to dry.
1 It will sit in the sun, oven, dryer to remove all the water from the horn.
a The reason? If the horn is not dried out properly before the shofar is put in service it will have the tendency to lose it’s twist.
b It will have a tendency to go back to it’s pre-boil form & will not have the proper sound/tone that the shofar maker had intended for that horn to make.
2 Church people think because they’ve been boiled, twisted they are ready now to serve.
a Singing solo’s, preaching, teaching, leading worship, serving in this/that capacity, leading up that ministry . . . unless you’ve dried out you will not conform to the shape of the Shofar.
b Halfway through a rehearsal, with trumpets blaring, drums rolling, and violins singing their rich melody, the piccolo player muttered to himself, What good am I doing? I might as well not be playing.
aa Nobody can hear me anyway. So he placed his instrument to his lips but made no sound. Within moments the conductor cried, Stop the music! Stop the music! Wheres the piccolo?
bb Perhaps many people did not realize that the piccolo was missing, but the conductor did. We play chiefly to please him.
cc And if we achieve that, the audience benefits greatly.
dd So it is in the Christian life. We strive to please the Master.
ee He is glorified and others benefit. God knows when we do not play the part assigned to us, even if others do not.
b Only when the horn is fully dry will the rabbi drill the hole just right.
aa Hold the horn to his lips, blow.
bb Is this sound I intended? Does it sound like heaven coming to earth?
cc Have you dried enough, separated, transformed by the boiling out of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
A The feast of trumpets points to the next event on the prophetic landscape; rapture.
1 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout , with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess 4:16-18 (NASB)
a In the future all believers in Jesus will be gathered to meet him in the clouds!
b The dead in Christ will rise first, to be followed immediately by those believers alive at the time.
2 The signal? The sound of the shofar. Lit. “Shout”
a Shout is a particular note that comes from the shofar, “alarm” blast.
b We are being gathered for war, battle.
3 The shofar reminds to repent, Lamb of God, VICTORY, stong holds/walls that need to be leveled.
a Strongholds of greed, hate, lust, pride, arrogance, bitterness, fear, anxiety . . .all fall at the sound of His name.
In his book, "How Great Generals Win", Bevin Alexander tells of "The General Who Beat Hannibal". One of Hannibal’s most effective tactics was the use of elephants in battle. For years Roman soldiers and horses were ineffective against the elephants - until the Roman general Scipio Africanus made a brilliant decision to startle Hannibal’s elephants with trumpets and cause them to retreat in fear. Until the defeat of Hannibal of Carthage, the Romans could not make the move toward world empire.
Like Hannibal, Satan uses intimidating tools to win spiritual battles against us. We must stand against him with weapons that even he cannot counter: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." If we "submit ourselves to God" and "resist the devil" with these tactics, "he will flee." (James 4:7)
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