Awe of God: The Festival of Trumpets

How long has it been since you’ve been bothered by the sin in your life? –Pastor Aaron Hlavin

This question, which was asked at the opening of this week’s service, is still ringing in my ears. Granted, there are blatant sins I have committed that have prompted me to repent and turn from my previous ways. However, this question forces me to examine my sin on a deeper level. Are there areas of my life where I have simply become so comfortable that I don’t even recognize my sin anymore? Have I blurred the lines of what is right to justify my wrongs?

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were faced with a similar awakening. Through the Festival of Trumpets (Leviticus 23), God commanded the Israelites to set aside time to rest, reflect, and repent. The start of this festival was indicated by the blasting sounds of trumpets (Leviticus 23:24). Notably, this was a powerful sound. It symbolized more than just a beginning. Beyond that, it was a warning sign, a call to action, and a sign of what was to come. As the Bible indicates, the Israelites were told to “Hold a sacred assembly and deny [themselves] and present a food offering to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:28). If anyone failed to do this, the punishment was made clear that God would “destroy” them (Leviticus 23:30). Finally, the text goes on to say that this command would “be a lasting ordinance for many generations to come” (Leviticus 23:31).

While the structural aspect of this festival may not be relatable to you and I, there is a clear principle in this portion of scripture that can be applied today. God was calling His chosen people to repent. He was directing them towards self-denial and atonement. He was setting up a reminder for the Israelites to recalibrate their focus on God.

As I think about what this meant for the Israelites at that time, I am challenged to identify the areas of my life in which a trumpet may be “sounding.” In the day-to-day happenings of life, it can be so easy to drown out God’s voice and the Holy Spirit’s conviction. It is often easier to magnify the sound of my own thoughts. Nonetheless, it is so important that I hold onto the principle that was taught to the Israelites. I must be intentional about responding to the convicting call to repentance.

This week, I challenge you to think about what God may be uncovering in you. In what areas of your life is the trumpet sounding? How long has it been since you’ve been bothered by your sin? If your answer is that it has been a while, what are you going to do to change that? 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: Brigit Edwards