Rosh Hashanah
Head of the Year
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:24-25)
On the evening of 25 September 2022, begins the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes[TS1] of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”
The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty.
This would be a great time to wish all our Jewish friends a hearty Happy New Year. It would also be a good time to reflect on our own lives. Are we keeping short accounts with God? When He reveals sin in our lives, do we confess it (1 John 1:9) and move on serving God? What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)? (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) What does it mean that God is sovereign?
Yesterday, I referenced the Shofar and asked the question, “What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)?” The answer is it signals the Rapture of the Church. Verse 16 references the ”…trump of God…”
Paul explains the Rapture to the Church at Thessalonica.
Comfort in light of the Rapture (13-18) This is the most extended and most important description of the Rapture in all of Scripture.
The Hope of the Rapture (13)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
The Confidence of the Rapture (14)
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
The Order of the Rapture (15)
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
The Person of the Rapture (16a)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
The Resurrection of the Rapture (16b)
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
The Catching up of the Rapture (17a)
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
The Intimacy of the Rapture (17b)
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The Encouragement of the Rapture (18)
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Ultimately the Rapture is a comfort to a needy people. We are to serve God till He returns. We are to watch expectantly and persistently.
Rosh Hashanah’s religious services focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty. God does rule in the affairs of men. Today we will look at the sovereignty of God.
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.
A. GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12
Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
B. THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
C. GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1) V1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
D. GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6)
For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.5 For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
E. GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
F. GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
G. GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
H. CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
I. GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11)
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
J. GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
K. GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
These verses show why God has the right to rule in our lives. Please look up the verses and see what they say. You might be surprised what you find.
God has given each one of us a free will to make choices. He has given us His precepts in the Bible to guide us through this life. We choose to follow God by faith or rebel against God and serve Satan. Satan is the enemy of God. There are consequences for following or rebelling against God. God rules over both Godly believers and wicked unbelievers.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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