Yom Teruah
Yom Teruah literally means “Day of Sounding” or “Day of Alarm,” a day of rejoicing and day of blowing the trumpets!
“Yom” means “day.”
“Teruah” means תְּרוּעָ blasting noise; blowing; shouting; rejoicing; alarm; joyful sound; shout an alarm; alert; alarm for war; and the sounding of cymbals. (Psalms 150:5)
Yom Teruah is celebrated on the first day of the seventh month and God tells us to make a blasting noise as a remembrance.
Leviticus 23:24 declares, “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, a holy convocation.’” HIB (OT)
In the scriptures, God tells us that we are part of this world but we are not of this world.
John 17:16-17 “16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your word is truth.” CJB
Many times, we forget that we are part of Messiah’s kingdom. We forget that Yeshua is our Savior and we have victory over all things if we trust in Him and allow Him to help us. We forget that in this world, there is an enemy that wants to destroy us and sift us just as Yeshua told Peter about satan.
Many times in our lives when we encounter problems, tribulation and hard times, we want to hide instead of communicating. In this time and age, especially, many people have lost the ability to bond or have a real person to person conversation because they have lost the sense of communication. We do not know how to communicate with each other and with our Father in heaven.
The truth of the matter is that we already have victory! The number 7 in the scriptures means completion, finish, accomplish, done. God finished his work and he rested on the seventh day. The seventh month of Yom Teruah is an alarm to remind us that all is completed in that Yeshua conquered the enemy called death and the wall of partition between men and God was removed. We can boldly walk through the demolished wall and take our victory.
What is your high wall?
What are you running away from?
What is your fortified city of fear?
What is the imaginary wall in your brain that is preventing you to move forward?
What is the wall that is preventing you in hearing God’s voice and purpose for your life?
What is the wall that is separating you from your victory?
What is the wall that is preventing you from turning on your faith?
The children of Israel were afraid to hear God’s voice. They were so afraid that they needed Moshe to speak for them. But today, you can directly speak to God because He removed the wall; yes, the wall came rumbling down to be no more.
He told the children of Israel:
Deuteronomy 9:1 “‘Listen, Isra’el! You are to cross the Yarden today, to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, great cities fortified up to the sky;’” CJB
Do you believe it?
Do you believe that you have the victory?
Do you believe that God can crush down the wall of fear?
Do you believe that you are stronger than the fortified wall in your mind?
Joshua and the children of Israel believed and they saw the victory.
God told Joshua to walk around the walls of Jericho 7 times. Not 6 times, not 4 times, not 8 times, but 7 times. Why? Because the victory is on the seventh month of Yom Teruah. When we have the victory, we move into another realm; we move into the realm of the 8th day. We move into the realm of eternal life. By the time the next appointed time of the Lord, Yom Kippur, comes around, your name could be in the book of life!
John 10:9 “I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture.” CJB
The walls of Jericho were so high and so well barricaded that no one could go in or out. From the top of the wall, Israel became an easy target. They were like sitting ducks ready to be ambushed. The wall was so intimidating that it would seem impossible to take over. It is said that the wall was about 17 feet high and 4 feet thick. On top of the wall, there was a mortar about 26 feet high and behind that was another mortar wall about 46 feet high. This wall was enormous!
Despite this Joshua believed God when He told him,
Joshua 6:2 “Adonai said to Y’hoshua, ‘I have handed Yericho over to you, including its king and his warriors.’” CJB
Do you believe that God already crushed the situation that is going on in your life and all you have to do is go and take it over?
Is it, Fear?
Is it, Drugs?
Is it, Homosexuality?
Is it, Adultery?
Is it, Sickness?
Whatever it is that you are facing right now, there is victory on the seventh month. It is completed. It is done. You are not alone and there is a Hope greater than your circumstances.
Joshua 6:4-5 “4 Seven cohanim are to carry seven shofars in front of the ark. On the seventh day you are to march around the city seven times, and the cohanim will blow the shofars. 5 Then they are to blow a long blast on the shofar. On hearing the sound of the shofar, all the people are to shout as loudly as they can; and the wall of the city will fall down flat. Then the people are to go up into the city, each one straight from where he stands.” CJB
There is a hope that will never let you down. There is victory that you can capture right now and there is a celebration that we can remember every year on the seventh month. Therefore, on the seventh month of the Tishri, pick up your trumpet and shout to the God of Israel! “Here I am! I am sounding the trumpet and lifting up my voice in remembrance of you!”
Joshua 6:20 “So the people shouted, with the shofars blowing. When the people heard the sound of the shofars, the people let out a great shout; and the wall fell down flat; so that the people went up into the city, each one straight ahead of him; and they captured the city.” CJB
Even if you not sure that God can turn your situation into victory because you think in your mind that your sin is too great thinking, “God can never forgive me and I will be miserable forever,” your situation today can change. God is waiting for you with open arms and forgiveness is knocking on your door right at this very moment. Take Rahab for example. She knew her sin was great but she decided to put her trust in the God of Israel and she was received with open arms. God loves you and if you put your trust in him today, you too can be like Rahab.
Joshua 6:22-24 “22 Y’hoshua said to the two men who had reconnoitered the land, ‘Go into the prostitute’s house and bring the woman out with all that she has, as you swore to her.’ 23 The young men, the spies, went in and brought out Rachav with her father, mother, brothers and all she had; they brought out all her relatives and put them safely outside the camp of Isra’el.” CJB
During Yom Teruah/Day of Alarm with the trumpets, lift your voice up with a shout sounding the Teruah and remember that there is complete rest. A rest that took the sacrifice of blood so you can have eternal life if you believe. Yeshua is this rest. Would you come to him today?
Matthew 11:28-30 “28 “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” CJB
Aminta Colon September 2017 @copyright.
