During the seventh month of Israel's religious calendar three festivals took place. This reflects the importance that God attached to the number seven in the Mosaic economy. Not only was the seventh day special (v. 3) but so were the seventh week (vv. 15-22) and the seventh month.
The Jews celebrated the Feast of Trumpets (Heb. Rosh Hashana) on the first day of this month. After the Babylonian captivity the Jewish civil year began on this day. It became a new year's celebration in Israel's calendar.260
The ram's horns (shophars) that the priests blew on this occasion were quite large and produced "a dull, far-reaching tone."261They called the congregation to turn attention freshly to God and to prepare for the other two festivals of the month and the 12 months ahead. They also signaled God's working again on behalf of His people.
A trumpet will sound calling Christians to meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). It will also assemble the Israelites and herald the Day of the Lord when God will again resume His dealings with His people Israel in Daniel's seventieth week (Jer. 32:37). Some commentators have felt that this event will provide a prophetic fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets.
