Psalms 47:5, Elohim has gone up with…the sound of the shofar. The shofar is an instrument unique to the ancient Hebrews and their descendants. In the Scriptures, we see that the shofar played a highly significant role in Hebraic culture. Below are some examples this instrument’s importance:

• The very first time the Scriptures
  records the blowing of the shofar occurring was to herald YHVH’s giving of theTorah at Mount Sinai (Exod 19:16, 19 and 20:18).
• The shofar was blown to usher in Yom Teruah. This was a call to Sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing trumpets, a set-apart convocation and marked the beginning of a ten-day period of self-examination and repentance culminating with the Day of Atonement (Num 29:1).
• The shofar was blown to herald the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to announce the Year of Jubilee. Every fifty years slaves were freed, debts were forgiven and land returned to the original owner (Lev  25:9-10 [verse 10 says, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants” and is inscribed on the Liberty Bell.”])
• Shofars were blown continually by seven priests before the Ark of the Covenant, as part of the battle plan to take the city of Jericho as the Israelites were entering the Promised Land (Josh 6:4–20).
• Shofars were blown by Gideon to rally Israelites soldiers against the Midianites and again by his 300 soldiers in their battle against Midian (Judg 6:34 and 7:8,16,20).
• Shofars were blown to welcome the Ark of the Covenant (representing the anointed and glorious presence of YHVH among his people) while David danced with all his might (2 Sam 6:15; I Chron 15:14).
• The shofar was blown when a king was anointed (1 Kgs 1:34, 39, 41; 2 Kgs 9:13).
• The shofar was blown when the Israelites swore an oath of allegiance to YHVH (2 Chron 15:14).
• The shofar was blown to rally the troops (Num 10:9–10; Neh 4:18, 20).
• Israel sounded the shofar in the time of war to be remembered by YHVH, to be saved from its enemies,  and rout the enemies of Israel by sending fear into their hearts and confusion into their camps (Num 10:9–10; Judg 7:20–22).
• The shofar was blown to announce YHVH’s presence and to praise and worship Him (Pss 47:5, 98:6; 150:3; Isa 18:3; 27:13; Rev 1:10)
• The shofar was blown to call people to repentance or fasting (Isa 58:1; Hos 8:1; Joel 2:1)
• The shofar was blown to sound the alarm of war (Jer 4:19, 21; 6:1; 17; 51:27; Joel 2:1, 15).
• The shofar was blown to sound the warning of danger (Amos 2:2; 3:6; Zeph 1:16; Hos 5:8, 8:1; Ezek 33:2-9; Isa. 58:1). The sound of the shofar is compared to a prophet’s voice.
• The shofar was blown by YHVH (Zech 9:14).
• The shofar was blown by the angels (Matt 24:31; Rev 8:2,3; 9:1,13–14; 10:7; 11:15).
• The shofar was blown to announce the coming of a Jewish bridegroom to fetch his betrothed — a picture of Yeshua returning for his bride, the saints. All the righteous living and the righteous dead will receive glorified, resurrected bodies and will meet him in the air at the sound of the shofar. (Compare Matt 24:31; 25:6; 1 Cor 15:52;
  1 Thess 4:16; Rev 11:15–18).

When the righteous hear the sound of the shofar these things should be called to remembrance. The shofar is a powerful reminder of the mighty right arm of YHVH outstretched on behalf of his people. The sound of the shofar sends tremors of fear throughout the camp of the enemies of YHVH and his people and rallies the righteous to take courage and to rise up against evil knowing they will be victorious through faith in YHVH Elohim.

When was the first time you heard the sound of the shofar? How did it impact your life? How has the shofar affected your life since then?