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HEAR,  REJOICE  AND  REMEMBER  quotes
by Joel Shofar

1)     “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.  And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  And if they blow [but] with one [trumpet], then the princes, [which are] heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.  When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.  When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.  But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.  And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.  And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.  Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God.”  Numbers 10:1-10.





2)    "This Feast of Trumpets was "a memorial." Some have thought it be a memorial of the creation of the world, as it was celebrated at "the year's end, or revolution of the year," and might have been a memorial of the time when "all the sons of God shouted for joy" at the creation of the world. Dr. William Smith says: "The Feast of Trumpets . . . came to be regarded as the anniversary of the birthday of the world." It is quite evident that, like the Passover, the Feast of Trumpets was both commemorative and typical. It came on days before the day of atonement, the type of the great investigative judgment which opened in 1844, at the end of the long, prophetic period of the twenty-three hundred years of Dan. 8:14.  In the type the trumpets were blown throughout Israel, warning all of the near approach of the solemn day of atonement. In the antitype we should expect some world-wide message to be given in trumpet tones, announcing the time near when the great antitypical day of atonement, the investigative judgment would convene in the heavens. Beginning with the years 1833-34 and extending down to 1844, such a message was given to the world in trumpet tones, announcing, "The hour of His judgment is come." , The Cross and Its Shadow, Chapter 28: The Feast of Trumpets, p 204, by Steven Nelson Haskell.





3)   "It was the time of the Feast of Trumpets. Many were gathered at Jerusalem. The scene was one of mournful interest. The wall of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the gates set up, but a large part of the city was still in ruins.   On a platform of wood, erected in one of the broadest streets, and surrounded on every hand by the sad reminders of Judah's departed glory, stood Ezra, now an aged man. At his right and left were gathered his brother Levites. Looking down from the platform, their eyes swept over a sea of heads. From all the surrounding country the children of the covenant had assembled. "And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen: . . . and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground."  (Nehemiah 8:6).
     "Yet even here was evidence of the sin of Israel. Through the intermarriage of the people with other nations, the Hebrew language had become corrupted, and great care was necessary on the part of the speakers to explain the law in the language of the people, that it might be understood by all. Certain of the priests and Levites united with Ezra in explaining the principles of the law. "They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
     "And the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." (Nehemiah 8:3,8) They listened, intent and reverent, to the words of the Most High. As the law was explained, they were convinced of their guilt, and they mourned because of their transgressions. But this day was a festival, a day of rejoicing, a holy convocation, a day which the Lord had commanded the people to keep with joy and gladness; and in view of this they were bidden to restrain their grief and to rejoice because of God's great mercy toward them. "This day is holy unto the Lord your God," Nehemiah said. "Mourn not, nor weep. . . . Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:9, 10).
     "The earlier part of the day was devoted to religious exercises, and the people spent the remainder of the time in gratefully recounting the blessings of God and in enjoying the bounties that He had provided. Portions were also sent to the poor, who had nothing to prepare. There was great rejoicing because the words of the law had been read and understood." Prophets and Kings, p 661- 662.  





4)    "Then from the assembled throng [during the Feast of Trumpets in Ezra's time after the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall], as they stood with outstretched hands toward heaven, there arose the song: "Blessed be Thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth Thee" [Nehemiah 9:5, 6]. The song of praise ended, the leaders of the congregation related the history of Israel, showing how great had been God's goodness toward them, and how great their ingratitude." Prophets and Kings, p 666.





5)    "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation.  He only [is] my rock and my salvation; [he is] my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.  How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall [shall ye be, and as] a tottering fence.  They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
     "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation [is] from him.  He only [is] my rock and my salvation: [he is] my defence; I shall not be moved.  In God [is] my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God.  Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.
     "Surely men of low degree [are] vanity, [and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are] altogether [lighter] than vanity.   Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart [upon them].  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God.  Also unto thee, O Lord, [belongeth] mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work."  Psalms 62:1-12.