Shofar
Shophar
The blowing of the ram's horn (shophar or shofar in Hebrew ) is used to usher in the biblical festivals of Israel, including the Sabbath, and to inspire people to amend their lives and repent.
The sounding of the shofar
symbolizes freedom and liberty
proclaims the anniversary of the creation of the world
is a reminder of the giving of the 10 commandments at Mt. Sinai, and
is a sound that is guaranteed to confuse and chase Satan away.
The shofar is most often made from a ram's hoary, but the horn of a sheep, goat, or antelope can be used. However, you should never, never use the horn from a steer, as this would be reminiscent of the golden calf made by the children of Israel in the desert, as described in Exodus 32.
From biblical description, there are three different sounds blown:
TIKIYAH - a single long blast.
SHEPHARIM - 3 medium blasts in succession.
TRUAHAH - 9 short, staccato blasts.
In the new testament, the sound of the shofar (trumpet) is associated with the second coming of Jesus, "for the Lord Himself will descent from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first". (I Thess 4:16). Also, ''listen, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed- in a flash, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised.... ". (1 Cor 15: 51,52).
Many Christian churches have lost this Biblical tradition.
Many Christians who believe themselves to be orthodox, mainstream, evangelical (due to anti-Charismatic background and tradition/support, are not taught many Biblical truths) ask what the horns are and what for.
Some (eg: Calvinist) churches even go as far as having no music instrument for worship and praise.
The calling to worship with shophar is still being practice by Messianic Jews and some Charismatic Christians. Let us wake up to the calling of the Lord. Let us battle evil with spiritual weaponry.