Don't you just love to hear trumpets blow? It's exciting - makes you feel like something is about to happen - whether it is the Trumpet Voluntary played before the wedding march, the signal of a race at Churchill Downs, or even taps at a military funeral. You listen.
The Ram's horn, called a shofar, was the trumpet used to announce the Day of Atonement and the beginning of the Year of Jubilee. And what was this "Year of Jubilee?" Every seventh year was set aside as a "Sabbath to the Lord," and nothing would be planted on the land. Then, after seven such cycles (7X7), the 50th year would be the Jubilee when slaves were set free, debts were forgiven, property returned to the original owners, and the land was given rest - everything was "reset."
Can you imagine the excitement in the camp the night before the trumpet was sounded - the anticipation, the joy?? Israel had been slaves in Egypt, and Yahweh had set them free. I would imagine that they had not forgotten that feeling. Now, no one could remain a slave forever, and like on the seventh day of Creation - the land was given a Sabbath as well. A fresh start for everyone, a new beginning - we all need that. And God would provide for his people.
The Year of Jubilee is our picture of Christ. Sent to "preach good news to the poor, set the captives free, recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).
He is our Jubilee. He is our Sabbath. He is the One who gives us rest, sets us free, forgives our debts. Let the trumpet sound! (Dee Bristin)
And in the words of Michael Card, singer and songwriter:
The Lord provided for a time
For the slaves to be set free
For the debts to all be canceled
So His chosen ones could see
His deep desire was for forgiveness
He longed to see their liberty
And His yearning was embodied
In the Year of Jubilee
Jubilee, Jubilee
Jesus is our Jubilee
Debts forgiven
Slaves set free
Jesus is our Jubilee
