Autumn is near!

Leviticus 23:23-25

The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the Lord.”

Who doesn't want a day off?  Not just a day off to work at home but a REAL day off.  After reading the verses above, don't you love the words "complete rest"?  I thought it might be interesting to find out a little more about this selection of scripture.

Here is a little information about that day:

• This is said to be a memorial, perhaps of the sound of the trumpet upon mount Sinai when the law was given, which must never be forgotten.
• Some think that it was a memorial of the creation of the world, which is supposed to have been in autumn; for which reason this was, till now, the first month.

This would later became known as the Festival of Trumpets and was observed in the seventh month of Tishri, when the Israelites celebrated the end of the harvest. During the postexilic time, this day became the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). The words joyful shouting mean a shout or a blast; it refers to the sound of the trumpet that reminded the Israelites to assemble in God's presence for spiritual service. Trumpet blasts are important in the end time when events surrounding Christ's second coming will be preceded by angels blowing trumpets (Rev 8:7-8,10,12; 9:1,13-14; 10:7; 11:15).

How does this apply to you now? 

As this time is upon us we begin to witness the leaves turning, apples ready for harvest, and the crisp fall air.  It also begins a time where we become very distracted.  The holiday time is just around the corner and we have a lot to do.  Maybe, just maybe. we need to take some time and really soak up what is happening right now.  Go outside, enjoy the day and spend some time alone with God and let him do the talking.  God's creation really does speak to us if we just become still enough.  Observing a day of complete rest may be just what you need.