Bugling – shofars and the call of the Lord
We stood deep in the woods, many miles from the nearest community. The bugle of an elk echoed off the mountains around us. The echoes created a symphony of bugles in slightly out-of-sync time.
An elk’s bugle is both beautiful and disturbing. It is a hard sound to describe, but you will never forget it once heard. I have heard the bugle described as sounding “like something out of a horror movie.”
It is different than the grunt of a moose or the howl of a wolf. It is a varied pitch whistle that sounds somewhat like a demented bugler. You can go online and search under “elk bugles” and listen to your heart’s content to get a taste. It is one of those sounds that you love or hate. It does not seem to leave many people in between. I love it.
Much the same could be said about the sound of the shofar, the traditional rams horn trumpet of the Middle East. The shofar is often played with one of three distinct sounds. Tekiah — one long, straight blast. Shevarim — three medium, wailing sounds. Teruah — 9 quick blasts in short succession.
For many Jewish people, each sound has different symbolism. According to some sources, the Tekiah is the crowning of God as a king of all people. The Shevarim is the sound of the sobbing heart of the Jewish people as they wait for Messiah’s coming. The Teruah is a warning call, likened by some to an alarm clock telling us to get right with God.
If anyone has ever watched a movie with the US Cavalry in it, you would have heard the cry of the bugler calling out taps, retreat and charge or any variety of other calls. For centuries the military used trumpets, bugles and similar instruments to communicate over the din of battle and unsettle the enemy.
Joshua and his army marched around the walls of Jericho, playing some form of the trumpet (shofar?). Gideon and his small army stampeded their enemies by sneaking up and blowing trumpets at night. The silver trumpet and the shofar figure prominently in numerous places in the Word.
God introduced His presence to Israel with a trumpet blast.
On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. Exodus 19:16-19
He will announce His return with a similar call.
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17
Like the sound of the bugling elk or the blowing shofar, this trumpet call will bring mixed feelings. The believer will rejoice because their great hope is now realized. The unbeliever will wail because judgment is soon upon them. There will be no one who is ambivalent to the sound.
Until next time, when you hear the sound of a trumpet or a bugling elk rejoice because one day soon, we will listen to the ultimate trumpet sound as we depart forever for glory.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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All contents are © 2001, 2026 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.
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