Every time we hear a certain hymn in church, dear Husband and I look at each other and he squeezes my hand. It reminds us of our wedding day every time “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” is played. Many people have a favorite song that was popular when they dated that reminds them of their love. God used the sound of two particular instruments to remind his people of his love- silver trumpets, and ram’s horns.

Humans are fickle. So God proclaimed his power and authority audibly. God knew we are prone to get off the right path. With this in mind, God inaugurated his rules for happy living with an impressive spectacle. At Mt. Sinai, God’s ram’s horn sounded superhumanly loud to call the people to assemble. The powerful sound was accompanied by thunder, lightning, a cloud, and billowing smoke. Then, he allowed the people to hear his voice as he gave them the Ten Commandments. The people trembled with fear. The purpose for this display of power was so, “The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 19-20

“On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet (ram’s horn) blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet (ram’s horn) grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him… And God spoke all these words:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 19:16-19, 20:1-3

Humans are forgetful. So God established a calendar of feasts in the Old Testament to commemorate what God had done for them. At certain times each year his people were to gather for worship, feasting, and fellowship. God instructed Moses to use two kinds of horns in these sacred assemblies- hammered silver trumpets and ram’s horns. The blare of these loud horns would remind everyone that it was time to meet with God together.

“The Lord said to Moses: “Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together. . .
Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.”  Numbers 10:1-2,10

Festival of Trumpets is the first day of the seventh month and is still celebrated today as Rosh Hashanah, this year October 5th sunset-6th sunset: “The Lord said to Moses,  “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.’” Leviticus 23:23-24

Then on the tenth day of that month the horns are to sound again to remind the people of the solemn assembly of Atonement for sins. Today Jews call this high holy day, Yom Kippur. This year it’s October 12th.
“Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the ram’s horn throughout your land. ” Leviticus 25:9

Humans are in need of guidance. So God gave a way to communicate the time to move on. There would be different blasts of the silver trumpets for announcing breaking camp and the tribes setting out for a new location. A certain blast notified the tribes camped on the East to break camp and set out. Then a blast to alert the tribes camped on the South to set out.
“and for having the camps set out”. Numbers 10:2

Humans are fearful. So God provided a way to remind his people that he was with them as their victorious Commander.
“When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.“
“Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:4-5 God instructing Joshua how to take Jericho

Humans need uplifting. So God encourages celebrations. Loud celebrations!
“They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. . .They took an oath to the Lord with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and ram’s horns. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.” 2 Chronicles 15:12,14-15

“…  while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of ram’s horns. 2 Samual 6:15 describing King David bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.

Humans need a leader. So God instituted coronations. Every earthly king has faults. But some glorious day, our heavenly King will reign on earth and everything will be made right- even us!
“have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram’s horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’” 1 Kings 1:34

“…with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King. . .
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98:6,9

One wonderful day, we will hear a trumpet call and it will be time to break camp and move on to our eternal home.
“ And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:31

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. I Thessalonians 4:16

In all of the peaks and valleys of life, God wants his people to remember he is with them. He is the Mighty One who commands obedience, which he repays with peace and happiness. He is the Guide who signals our moves. He is the Captain who goes ahead of us into victorious battle. He is the Center of our gathering. He is the blessed King of the universe, and he is ever reigning. He is the Provider of our needs, now and for the eternal salvation of our souls. He is the Wellspring of our happiness. He is our joyful Destination.
Until the silver trumpet of God blows and his people are gathered and brought into the ultimate Promised Land. . . Marantha!