Perhaps one of Judaism’s most familiar symbols is the shofar, or ram’s horn. The Bible mentions two different types of trumpets; the silver trumpet, and the shofar. The shofar can be made from five species of animals; the sheep, goat, mountain goat, antelope, and gazelle. According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, Rabbi Judah states, "the shofar for Rosh HaShanah (Yom Teruah) must be of the horn of a ram, to indicate submission." This idea comes from the story of Abraham being tested to sacrifice his only son, the one he loved, Isaac. We can read the entire story in Genesis / Bereshit 22, for sake of space I just want to hit some highlights. Verse 4 has some interesting nuggets: "On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance."
On the surface, the verse speaks of the place that he would go to sacrifice Isaac. However, the verse also alludes to a future sacrifice that Abraham was given to privilege to see. The word "distance" is the Hebrew word "rachoq" which also can mean "a great while to come." In other words, Abraham saw into the future to the day that God would provide Himself a lamb (Mashiach). As Isaac carried the tree up the hill he asked his father, where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham’s reply, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."(verse eight) However, later we read that when the angel of the Lord called out to Abraham not to sacrifice Isaac, it was a ram, not a lamb, that was caught in the thicket by his horns which in turn became the substitute sacrifice.
It was the shofarot (horns) of the ram that redeemed Isaac. Today the blowing the shofar reminds us of the substitute sacrifice, the One who gave up his life for us. If the idea that Abraham caught a glimpse of our holy Rabbi, Maran Yeshua HaMashiach being offered as a sacrifice seems a little far fetched, bare in mind what Maran Yeshua said: "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." Yochanan John 8:56
There are many other mentions of the shofar throughout the Bible, the following is just a few examples: The Torah was given to Israel with the sound of the shofar (Shemot 19).
It was the shofar that was blown when the walls of Jericho fell (Yehoshua / Joshua 6).
The shofar was blown to assemble the Israelites for war (Shoftim / Judges 3; Shmuel beit / 2 Sam 20).
The shofar will usher in the day of the Lord (Yoel 2).
It will be blown before the resurrection (1 Thess 4:16).
Interestingly, it’s worthy to note one of the major themes associated with Rosh HaShanah is the coronation of the king of Israel, or more specific the King of kings. The Mishna also states that the shofar is to be blown at the king’s coronation.
We don’t know when Yeshua HaMashiach will be finally fully revealed and be crowned King of kings, but one has to sense that the time is near. But as we pray every morning at the end of the morning prayers, “for your Yeshuah / Salvation we do long…” לישועתך קותי הי as HaShem today!