Trumpets, Repentance, and the King: What Rosh Hashanah Teaches Christians

Introduction – A Wake-Up Call You Can’t Ignore

My wife always teases me. I fall asleep hard for about 3 hours. You can drive a truck through our house and I wouldn’t hear it.

But there are some “wake-up calls” that you can’t ignore — the smoke detector going off, your child screaming “Dad!” in the middle of the night, Baby Puking

In Scripture, God gave His people a literal, loud wake-up call — the blasting of trumpets — to grab their attention, call them to repentance, and remind them that He is King. That wake-up call came in the form of a festival: The Festival of Trumpets, also known today as Rosh Hashanah.

Now, as Christians, we don’t celebrate this festival as Israel did under the Law of Moses. But it’s still worth understanding — because it teaches us about the character of God, points to Christ, and even looks forward to our future with Him.

What Rosh Hashanah Is and Where It Comes From

Let’s start with Scripture:

Leviticus 23:23–25 NIV

23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. 25 Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the Lord.’ ”

Originally this was called Yom Teruah — “The Day of Shofar Blowing.” It was the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, and God told His people:

Rest from ordinary work.

Blow the trumpet as a memorial.

Gather for worship.

Offer sacrifices to the Lord.

Today in Jewish tradition, it’s known as Rosh Hashanah — “the head of the year.” It marks the start of the civil year for Jews, even though biblically it’s the seventh month in the religious calendar.

It’s kind of like how we have a school year, a fiscal year, and a calendar year — same people, different starting points.

How It’s Observed

A Two-Day Celebration

In Bible times, it was one day. Over time, especially when Jews were scattered around the world, it became two days to ensure they celebrated at the correct time, even without precise calendar communication.

The Shofar — The Alarm of God

The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown 100 times during Rosh Hashanah services. The blasts come in three main patterns:

Tekiah – a long, steady blast proclaiming the King.

Shevarim – three wailing sounds expressing sorrow and repentance.

Teruah – nine rapid bursts like an urgent alarm.

It’s God’s version of an “emergency alert system” for the soul: Wake up! Examine your heart! Return to the Lord!

Tashlich — Casting Away Sins

On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, it’s traditional to go to a body of flowing water and perform Tashlich — throwing bits of bread into the water to symbolize casting sins away.

It’s based on Micah 7:19 —

Micah 7:19 NIV

19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

It’s a powerful visual: the water carries it away, out of sight, gone.

Torah Readings

Day 1: Genesis 21 (birth of Isaac) + 1 Samuel 1 (birth of Samuel). Both remind Israel that God hears prayers and fulfills promises.

Day 2: Genesis 22 (Abraham offering Isaac) + Jeremiah 31 (God’s unending love). The ram in Genesis 22 connects directly to the shofar.

Why It Matters for Christians

We’re not under the Mosaic covenant — so what’s the point for us? Three big takeaways:

Christ Is Our Rest

Rosh Hashanah was a Shabbat — no regular work. Hebrews 4 says Jesus is our Sabbath rest. We don’t rest one day a year — we rest daily in the finished work of Christ.

Christ Is Our Sacrifice

The ram in Genesis 22 pointed to the Lamb of God. We don’t symbolically throw our sins in water — we believe Jesus has washed them away forever.

Psalm 103:12 says He’s removed them “as far as the east is from the west.”

The Spirit Is Our Daily Wake-Up Call

Romans 13:11–14 NIV

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

We don’t wait for a trumpet once a year to remind us to repent — the Spirit convicts us daily. But we are waiting for another trumpet: the last trumpet when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:52).

A Christian “Rosh Hashanah” Mindset

Even though we don’t keep the feast, the principles still speak to us:

Self-examination — not in fear, but in gratitude for grace.

Recommitment — a fresh start isn’t limited to January 1.

Rejoicing in the King — Rosh Hashanah crowns God as King; we know Him as King of Kings in Jesus.

Next Steps — The King Is Coming

Imagine hearing that shofar in ancient Israel — your heart leaps, your hands pause in their work, your eyes look toward the temple. Now imagine the day when the trumpet of God sounds and the Lord Himself descends. No one will sleep through that alarm.

So here’s the takeaway:

If you’ve grown spiritually sleepy, wake up.

If sin has been weighing on you, remember — in Christ it’s been cast away forever.

If you’ve never bowed to the King, today is the day.

The shofar called Israel to prepare to meet God. The Spirit calls us to walk daily with Him until the day the final trumpet sounds — and we meet Him face to face.

YouTube

Title: Trumpets, Repentance, and the King: What Rosh Hashanah Teaches Christians

Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish “Head of the Year” — is filled with the sound of the shofar, calls to repentance, and reminders that God is King. As Christians, we don’t celebrate this feast the same way Israel did under the Law, but we can still learn powerful truths from it — about Christ as our rest, our sacrifice, and our coming King.

Join us as we explore the biblical foundation of Rosh Hashanah, its traditions, and its fulfillment in Jesus.

📖 Key Texts: Leviticus 23:23–25; Romans 13:11–14 📍 For more teaching and resources, visit: https://laughlinchurch.com

#RoshHashanah #BibleTeaching #FeastOfTrumpets #JesusIsKing #BiblicalHolidays

Notes

Listener Notes

Trumpets, Repentance, and the King: What Rosh Hashanah Teaches Christians Leviticus 23:23–25; Romans 13:11–14

1. The Biblical Foundation

Originally called Yom __________ — “Day of Shofar Blowing.”

Seventh month in the Hebrew calendar: __________.

A sacred day of __________, a memorial, and trumpet blasts.

2. How It’s Observed

The Shofar:

Tekiah – long, steady blast proclaiming the __________.

Shevarim – three wailing blasts expressing __________.

Teruah – nine rapid bursts like an urgent __________.

Tashlich:

Casting bread into water, based on Micah 7:19 — “You will cast all our sins into the __________ of the sea.”

Torah Readings:

Day 1: Genesis 21 + 1 Samuel 1 (answered __________).

Day 2: Genesis 22 + Jeremiah 31 (God’s unending __________).

3. Why It Matters for Christians

A. Christ is our __________ (Hebrews 4:9–10). B. Christ is our __________ (John 1:29; Psalm 103:12). C. The Holy Spirit is our daily __________ (Romans 13:11–14).

4. A Christian “Rosh Hashanah” Mindset

Self-____________ in light of grace.

Re____________ in obedience to God.

Rejoicing in the __________.

Takeaway:

The shofar called Israel to prepare to meet God. The Spirit calls us to walk daily with Him until the day the final __________ sounds.

Bible Study

Bible Study: Trumpets, Repentance, and the King

Based on Leviticus 23:23–25 & Romans 13:11–14

Day 1 – God’s Wake-Up Call

Read: Leviticus 23:23–25; Numbers 10:1–10

Hebrew Word Study: Teruah (תְּרוּעָה) — “shout,” “alarm,” or “blast of trumpets.”

Not just musical — it’s an urgent, piercing call that demands attention.

Used for both celebration (Psalm 33:3) and warning (Amos 2:2).

Reflection: God commanded the trumpet blasts to be a memorial — a reminder to His people of His kingship, their covenant, and the need for repentance. In our lives, God often sends “teruah moments” — times when He interrupts our routine to wake us spiritually.

Questions:

What “wake-up calls” has God used in your life recently?

How do you usually respond when God interrupts your routine?

Life Application: Set aside 10 minutes today to ask God if there’s any area of life where you’ve “fallen asleep” spiritually. Write down one action you can take to re-engage with Him.

Day 2 – The King’s Reign and Our Rest

Read: Psalm 47; Hebrews 4:1–11

Hebrew Word Study: Malki (מַלְכִּי) — “my King.”

From melek (מֶלֶךְ) — king, ruler, sovereign.

In Psalm 47:6–7, God is called “King over all the earth.”

Rosh Hashanah emphasized God as HaMelek — “The King.” The call to rest was not just about stopping work; it was an act of trust. Rest says, “God is in control, not me.”

Reflection: Christ is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4). We rest spiritually because His work is finished. Yet, rest doesn’t mean inactivity — it means active trust and obedience.

Questions:

What keeps you from resting in God’s sovereignty?

How does recognizing God as HaMelek change your daily perspective?

Life Application: Choose one burden you’ve been carrying and consciously place it in God’s hands today. Pray, “You are King. I trust You.”

Day 3 – Sins Cast Away

Read: Micah 7:18–20; Psalm 103:8–14

Hebrew Word Study: Shalak (שָׁלַךְ) — “to throw, cast, hurl.”

In Micah 7:19, it’s used for God casting sins into the sea.

Complete removal, not retrieval — they’re gone for good.

Reflection: The Tashlich ceremony pictures the truth that God removes sin. For Christians, this is fulfilled in Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10–14). Yet sometimes we live as though our sins are still hanging over us.

Questions:

Do you believe your sins are completely removed in Christ? Why or why not?

How would your life change if you lived fully in that freedom?

Life Application: Write down a sin or guilt you’ve been carrying. Then tear up the paper and throw it away as a reminder that God has forgiven and removed it in Christ.

Day 4 – Living Awake Until the Final Trumpet

Read: Romans 13:11–14; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58

Greek Word Study: Egeiro (ἐγείρω) — “to wake, raise up, stir.”

Used for waking from physical sleep (Matthew 8:25) and spiritual awakening (Romans 13:11).

Also used for resurrection — God will “wake” us to eternal life.

Reflection: Paul connects spiritual alertness with the hope of Christ’s return. The trumpet that once called Israel to repentance will one day call believers to resurrection. Until then, we live ready — clothed in Christ, walking in the light.

Questions:

What does “putting on Christ” (Romans 13:14) look like in daily life?

How can the hope of Christ’s return motivate your obedience today?

Life Application: Start your morning by praying Romans 13:14: “Lord, today I put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Guard my thoughts, my words, and my actions.”

Next Week Prep – Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

As you reflect on the King’s reign this week, consider:

What happens when leaders (kings, rulers, bosses, parents) lead without wisdom?

How do our words either honor or dishonor God and others?

In what ways does living “awake” keep us from foolishness in leadership and speech?