Let the Trumpets Sound
by Karla Maxwell
Christmas is such a JOYFUL time of year as we celebrate worldwide the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. Often times we see Christmas decor of angels blowing trumpets as if announcing the Great I AM's arrival to earth, yet the Bible does not mention trumpets when the angels sang glorious praises after the Prince of Peace's birth. However, trumpets are of significant importance to our Heavenly Father and the spiritual world.
Throughout the Old Testament, the blowing of trumpets (or rather shofars to be biblically correct) played a vital role in communication for the Israelites. A shofar was used on various occasions such as:
- A call to gather for worship (2 Chron 29:26-28, Ps 98:6, Ps 150:3, 2 Sam 6:15)
- Ushers in the presence of the Lord (2 Sam 6:15, 1 Chron 15:28)
- Make a proclamation (1 Sam 13:3)
- Symbolizing freedom and liberty (Lev 25:9-10)
- Sounds the alarm for war (Josh 6:4-20, Joel 2:1, Jer 4:19-21, Jer 6:1,17)
- At the coronation of a king (1 Kings 1:34)
- As a call to battle and war (Numbers 10:9)
- To induce fear & confusion in the enemy (Judges 7:22)
When a shofar was used, traditionally there were certain patterns of sounds that were used for each type of event. Some sounds were long, others short bursts, and sometimes a combination of both, depending on the reason for using the shofar. The pitch of the sound could be a high note or a low note and could vary throughout the blowing of the trumpet. Each pattern and pitch conveyed to the Israelites what was coming.
Can you imagine all the different patterns and pitches of trumpet sounds played at the same time by the angels for this one glorious event of Christ's birth? The trumpets would have sounded for the mere fact He was crowned King of Kings, but it would not stop there. The angels would have trumpeted a call to worship
to usher in the presence of the Lord, they would have made a proclamation of God Almighty becoming the Son of Man giving us the opportunity to be free from sin and shame. The angels would have sounded the alarm for the new spiritual war that began the moment Christ took His first breath; a war that is still being fought today. But because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we have the victory! We can
induce fear and confusion in the enemy by speaking The Word as our own shofar, creating chaos for the enemy that surrounds us. The next time you see Christmas decor of an angel blowing a trumpet, take a moment to reflect on the King of Kings and all the reasons to proclaim His worthiness of praise.
As followers of Christ, we are eagerly awaiting the last trumpet sound to call us home. What do you think it will sound like? Will it be a shofar? The pattern and pitch will most likely be one that has never been played nor heard before. How exciting is that??
Yes, trumpets truly are significant to our Heavenly Father. Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit, three in one.
To God be the GLORY!
