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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

HOLINESS AND TRUMPET BLASTS (LEVITICUS 23:23-25)

The people of Israel are required to observe the feast of trumpets. 

REFLECTION 

Holiness and trumpet of blasts is the theme for our reflection. A thing is holy when it is purposely consecrated to God or made sacred. The command to Moses is for the people of Israel to observe a special day “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month” (Leviticus 23:24). It is important to note that God has given us days to work and make a living, however, there are some special days consecrated or made sacred to honour God. The instruction for the Jews is clearly stated in the book of the Law. Africans also do have special days in the year for festivals, therefore the concept of consecrated days to honour God is not a new concept or phenomenon. The challenge of the 21st century Christian in a globalized world is the faithful adherence to these special days as part of our worship of God. 

There are reasons for observing the first day of the sabbatical month as a special day for the Lord. The first reason which is beneficial to the body is rest, “you shall observe a day of solemn rest… you shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to the Lord” (Leviticus 23: 24,25). Christians may not be strictly follow Old Testament Jewish laws and traditions but we can draw inspiration from them, in that they help us to appreciate the importance of honouring God and dedicating our time and material resources to serve Him as His children and stewards. Christian do observe special festivities such as Easter and Christmas. We are to keep these days holy and make them a day of solemn rest. God expects us to be hardworking yet he also desires us to be fit and healthy by taking a rest from our ordinary days of work or labour on these consecrated special days. 

The second reason for observing the first day of the seventh month is to have “a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.” (Leviticus 23:24). We shall recall that in “Exodus 20:11” part of the ten commandments stipulates that “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11). Apart from rest, we are to have a special communal worship day as a holy convocation of worshippers. We are to recount the mighty deeds and blessing of God, glorify His name with trumpet blasts and offerings. This special day is a mega gathering of God’s children to worship His Holy name through the gift of music. Christians, are encouraged to periodically apart from our normal Sunday gatherings organize extraordinary worship events or services where the focus is to praise God through the power of music ministration. It is one of the ways of proclaiming the Gospel to the World as we bear testimony to the mighty works of God in our lives as believers through music.  This is symbolised in today’s Scripture through trumpet blasts therefore my dear friend “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25). When we come together as a holy convocation of believers, let us always remember the Psalmist admonishment to “Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!” (Psalms 150:2-6). The church of Christ is not a church of lamentation but a church of praise because He continues to be faithful to us. Shalom

PRAYER 

ALMIGHTY GOD, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT OF TIMES AND SEASONS,  ENABLE US TO SET ASIDE SPECIAL DAYS TO PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME THROUGH THE GIFT OF MUSIC SO THAT  THE WORLD WILL COME TO APPRECIATE YOUR AWESOMENESS AND THE POWER OF YOUR SALVATION IN OUR LIVES.

 Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)