The Return - What Is Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah

The Return - What Is Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah

This Bible teaching explores the significance of Yom Teruah, also known as Rosh Hashanah, drawing from scripture, Jewish tradition, and historical context. The central theme presented is that Yom Teruah is fundamentally about recognizing and celebrating God as the Supreme King, an enthronement ceremony memorializing the moment God took His place as King over all creation.

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The Supreme King

The Musaf prayer read on the first day of Rosh Hashanah emphasizes this theme, repeatedly proclaiming God as the Supreme King. This day is not merely a celebration but a profound acknowledgment of God's rightful role as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Understanding this core concept is crucial for grasping the deeper meaning of Yom Teruah.

Various Names of the Day

Yom Teruah is known by several names, each offering a different facet of its significance.

• Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה): The Day of Trumpets - This name is derived directly from Numbers 29:1 and Leviticus 23:24, emphasizing the commandment to blow the shofar. The Hebrew word "teruah" signifies not just a sound but can also imply a loud noise, joyful noise, rejoicing, joyful acclamations upon receiving a king, a warlike cry, a cry for battle, or the sound of a trumpet.
• Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה): The Head of the Year - While Judaism recognizes this day as the New Year, the teaching delves into the historical and scriptural basis for this association. It clarifies that while Exodus 12 speaks of a spring New Year associated with the Exodus, there are indications of a fall reckoning of the year as well.
• Yom Hazikaron (יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן): The Day of Remembrance - Leviticus 23:24 describes Yom Teruah as a "memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets." This connects with the tradition of God opening the Books of Remembrance, where the deeds of people are recorded. Malachi 3:16 speaks of a "Book of Remembrance" written before the Lord for those who fear Him and meditate on His name.
• Yom Hadin (יוֹם הַדִּין): The Day of Judgment - Although the term "Day of Judgment" is not explicitly in Leviticus 23, Jewish tradition associates Rosh Hashanah with divine judgment. This association is linked to passages like Daniel 7:9-10, where God is depicted on His throne and books are opened, signifying judgment.
• Yom HaKeseh (יוֹם הַכִּסֶּה): The Day of Concealment or the Day of the Throne - The interpretation of Psalm 81:3 plays a role in this name. The traditional translation "full moon" (keseh) is explored, with the suggestion that the Hebrew word can also mean "concealment" or be related to "throne." This aligns with the idea that the exact timing of the new moon, and thus Yom Teruah, was historically "concealed" until witnesses confirmed its appearance.
• Hayom Hashem (הַיּוֹם הַשֵּׁם): The Day of the Lord - This name, found in prayer books, signifies a day specifically dedicated to and associated with God.

Dual Calendars

The teaching highlights the existence of dual calendars in ancient Israel: a religious tribute calendar starting in the spring (Nisan), focused on the appointed feasts and agricultural offerings, and a civic calendar beginning in the fall (Tishri), likely aligned with the agricultural cycle of planting after the harvest. This understanding helps reconcile seemingly contradictory scriptures about the beginning of the year.

Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize God as the Reigning King: Understanding Yom Teruah as an enthronement ceremony should prompt believers to consciously acknowledge and submit to God's kingship in their daily lives.
• Reflect and Repent: The association of Yom Teruah with remembrance and judgment encourages introspection. It's a time to review one's actions, acknowledge shortcomings, and seek God's forgiveness and renewal.
• Embrace the Joy of God's Presence: The "teruah" sound signifies joy and acclamation. Believers should approach God with joyful hearts, celebrating His goodness, mercy, and power.
• Anticipate Future Fulfillment: The connections drawn between Yom Teruah's themes and New Testament passages about the return of Messiah encourage hope and anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
• Value Tradition with Discernment: Learning about Jewish traditions surrounding Yom Teruah offers valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of scripture.

Connection to the New Testament

The teaching draws parallels between the themes and traditions of Yom Teruah and various New Testament passages. The language of a shout and a trumpet accompanying the Lord's return in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 resonates with the significance of the shofar on Yom Teruah. The opening of a door in Heaven and the sound of a trumpet in Revelation 4:1 echo the imagery associated with Yom Teruah as a time when the Gates of Heaven are believed to be open. The concept of names being written in the Book of Life, mentioned in Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 3:5, aligns with the Yom Teruah tradition of God inscribing the righteous. The idea of a final trumpet call heralding the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:52 is also linked to the symbolism of the shofar.

Matthew Vander Els presents the view that while no one knows the exact day or hour of Yeshua's return (Matthew 24:36), understanding the prophetic significance of Yom Teruah provides a richer context for interpreting scripture related to the end times and the ultimate enthronement of the King of Kings.

References

• Leviticus 23
• Numbers 29:1
• Exodus 12:1
• Exodus 23
• Deuteronomy 14

Books and Resources Mentioned

• The Lost Key by Joseph Good
• Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
• An Introduction to Ancient Mesopotamian Religion by Tammy Schneider

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