The Feast of Tabernacles – Trumpets

The 3 specific Events of the Feast of Tabernacles took place in the 7^th month and was the most glorious of all the feasts of Israel. It was a consummation (satisfying conclusion to) all of the feasts. There are more scripture references to this feast than all of the others.

It is prophetic of end times, the close of the ages and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

The Feast of Passover in the first month confirms and typifies the 4 Gospels

The Feast of Pentecost in the 3^rd month celebrates the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, The book of Acts and the epistles.

The Feast of Tabernacles in the 7^th month illuminates the book of Hebrews and Revelation.

The three major feasts have a historical, prophetic and experiential fulfilment in the Church age. Whilst Passover and Pentecost have been fulfilled in the Church historically, Tabernacles is due for fulfilment.

 Leviticus 23:23 “Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ²⁴ “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. ²⁵ You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’” This is reiterated in Numbers 29:1-6.

The feast of Tabernacles was a provocation for those who wished to maintain formal religion; (having a form of Godliness but denying the power.)When Jeroboam hijacked Israel away from its centre and focus in Jerusalem, he set up a substitute altar in Bethel and substitute feasts in the 8^th month. (1Kings 12)

The Feast of trumpets is described in Numbers 10:1-10: “The Lord spoke further to Moses, saying, ² “Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out.”

These two trumpets were hammered from one lump of silver speaking of a unity of witness. Plentiful silver was available from the atonement money collected from all the Israelites. This was a half shekel per person considered as the price of a soul. (Exodus 30:11-16) though most of this would have been used in the construction of the Tabernacle. The silver used for the Trumpets was from the redemption paid for priests which was 5 shekels each. (It takes a lot more to redeem those who minister) actually 10 times as much. 10 = government. This money was given to and used by Aaron to make the trumpets: Numbers 3:51.

The significance of the 7^th month is that it speaks of sacred completeness and consummation. The book of Revelation is focussed on this principle of sevens. This number is central to the three significant events in Tabernacles: Trumpets, atonement and Tabernacles.

The use of the trumpets in Israel: Numbers 10:1-10 lists the occasions that the Trumpets are required to be used:

a.     For the calling together of Assemblies. John 17 “that they may be one...”

b.     For the journeying of the camp: Numbers 9:17 “whenever the cloud was lifted...”

c.     For the calling of the leaders: Numbers 10:4 “if only one trumpet is blown...”

d.     As an alarm: Joel 2:1 “Blow a trumpet in Zion, sound an alarm on my holy hill...”

e.     A call to war: Numbers 10:9 “that you may be remembered by the lord...”

f.        For days of gladness and solemn worship: “Psalm 150:3 “with the loud trumpet!”

g.     To announce feasts and months: Numbers 10:10 “for feasts and first days...”

h.     Sounding them over sacrifices: 2 Chronicles 29:28 “Trumpets over the sacrifices”

All Israel had to gather to the doorway of the Tabernacle when the trumpets sounded in preparation for the Day of Atonement. Jesus said “I am the door...” John 10:9.

Prophetic use of trumpets: The dedication of Solomon’s Temple took place during the Feast of Tabernacles, 2 Chronicles 5. This event utilised 120 Trumpets signalling the end of all flesh as in the Jubilee. It is prophetic of the beginning of the Millennium and the last days Church in particular.

A formal reading of the law: Deuteronomy 31:10-11: “Then Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths,¹¹ when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place which He will choose, you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing.” 

This speaks of the day of Judgement when all are measured against God’s word.

In 1 Kings 1:39 they blew a trumpet at the anointing of the King of Kings- Solomon prophetically signalling the millennial reign. Trumpets are a major feature of the return of Jesus predicted by passages like Zechariah 9:14 and Matthew 24:31. 

Who blows the Trumpets? Essentially and at first, the High Priest Aaron and His 4 sons, Exodus 28:1. This is prophetic of the 5 fold ministry in Ephesians 4:11-16. It is the trumpet blowers’ responsibility to make a clear sound for all to hear. (1 Corinthians 14:8) Isaiah 58:1 encourages us to lift up our voice like a Trumpet and expose sin.

Those who are anointed to blow the trumpet are able to blow with certainty. In 2 Samuel 20 a false prophet called Sheba capitalised on a tense moment of political difference by blowing a trumpet as a rallying point of disbelief. His action cost him his life. Jesus advises us to avoid reacting to bad news:  Matthew 24:6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not frightened, (stampeded) for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”

We live in an age where really bad news comes almost every day. Our response must be to wait for the clear signal from Heaven before we act on such matters. Being still and standing in our faith is becoming vital. We must be sure we can hear the Trumpet and this means remaining in close relationships with God. Read the warnings in Matthew 24.