Yom Truah

The first of the seventh month is almost upon us, a time of “remembering truah” – the sound, the call, the blowing/blast, which heralds the crowning of the King (see Ex. 19:13,19; 20:15; Lev. 23:24). The Sinai scene was the time when Israel, as a people, a “kingdom”, first recognized their Supreme Ruler (see Ex. 19:6, 8).  It is the fourth of YHVH’s appointed times, to be followed ten days later by Yom HaKippurim (Day of ‘Atonements’).

“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout – hari’u (same root as TRUAH) to Elohim with the voice of triumph!  For YHVH Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.  He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.  He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah. Elohim has gone up with a shout (TRUAH), YHVH with the sound of a shofar.  Sing praises to Elohim, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!  For Elohim is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. Elohim reigns over the nations; Elohim sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the Elohim of Abraham. For to Elohim belong the defenders of the most exalted land” (Psalm 47:1 – 9 literal translation emphasized). 

As we remember the coronation of our King, which was experienced by our ancestors, it is also a reminder to look forward to His return and to be in preparation for this event. As the “defenders of the most exalted land” we also take heart when we read in Ephesians 3:9,10 about:  “the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in Elohim… to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of Elohim might be made known by the assembly/kahal [of Israel] to the principalities and powers in the heavenlies”.

In this Shabbat’s Parashat Nitzavim (and in the next two to follow) “heaven and earth” are to bear witness against Israel, if curses and death are chosen rather than blessings and life. How wonderful it is that through and by our redemption, we are now able to not only be YHVH’s “defenders of the most exalted land”, and thus witness to and on the earth, but also now testify to the heavenlies of the “manifold wisdom of Elohim” thus reversing our forefathers’ indictment (by the terrestrial and celestial witnesses).

Psalm 81 says that the shofar is to be blown on the day of the covered moon (vs 3). Since only one of YHVH’s moadim occurs on such a day, it would stand to reason to pay attention to who is being addressed here: “For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the Elohim of Jacob.  This He established in Joseph as a testimony while he was in bondage in Egypt” – even in his present Egypt (Psalm 81:4-5).

Do the sounds of the Truah also speak prophetically of the coming redemption of the sons of Jacob and Joseph? This is the specified time for the redeemed remnant to declare the Lordship of King Messiah Son of David. Is Yeshua waiting for a people that will call Him, “YHVH our righteousness, in [whose] days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely” (Jeremiah 23:6)?  

On Yom Truah, being a day of remembrance, are we also to recall who we are as the seed of Joseph and Jacob (the “defenders” referred to above), who are to crown the King Messiah as the Master over our lives? 

Yes, we love Yeshua as Savior and Redeemer, but is He the One who sits on the throne of our hearts?