Are you God’s Shofar?
By Tal Haroni
On Yom Kippur, the shofar’s call is one of the most profound moments. The shofar which is made from a ram’s horn is a simple yet deeply symbolic instrument. The horn was filled with flesh when it was part of the animal. But once emptied and blown, it became capable of producing a powerful sound—a call to repent and draw near to God.
The shofar is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey as believers. God takes us when we are “full of ourselves”—filled with pride, ego, and selfish desires—and leads us through a process of emptying ourselves. Like the hollowed horn, we must empty ourselves of fleshly desires so that God can breathe His Spirit into us. Only then can we be His shofar, His voice on earth, proclaiming His message of salvation and hope.
Yeshua modeled this self-emptying love perfectly, even on the cross. He was filled with compassion and mercy for humanity, knowing how desperately they needed God’s grace, even when they didn’t understand the truth.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:6-8
This love enabled Him to wash the feet of Judas Iscariot, the very one who would betray Him—feeding him and speaking to him with kindness. Today, our world, and particularly our country faces tremendous challenges, placing us in difficult situations.
I recently heard the testimony of a young believer who was called up for reserve duty as a medic on October 7th. She found herself treating terrorists who had just killed children, women, and men. In that moment, she realized she had to draw from her identity in Messiah—emptying herself of the natural desire for revenge—and treat the terrorists as if they were any other patient. Her response is precisely what Yeshua would have done. Instead of inflicting pain or providing mediocre care, she chose to give them compassionate, professional treatment. Others around her sought revenge, but she, as a follower of Yeshua, chose a different path.
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:20-21.
God calls us to be His messengers, not only through words but through our actions.
In times of conflict, pain, and loss, the world needs salvation. It needs people who, like Yeshua, are willing to empty themselves of selfish desires and be filled with God’s Spirit.
“But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?” – Romans 10:14
People who reflect grace, even in dark times, who offer hope and forgiveness—these are the ones God will use. As believers in Yeshua, we are called to take up our cross daily, denying ourselves and living out His example through our actions, hearts, and lives.
I invite you to take this time and season to look inward and let the Spirit of God show you where you’re still full of your own self. Is there someone God wants you to show grace to? Is there a place where you are called to be His shofar? Is there judgment in your heart where there should be forgiveness and compassion?
My prayer is that we allow God to use us as His instruments, choosing each day to deny ourselves and carry His cross, becoming more like Him. Let us be His shofar, sounding the call of grace, hope, and faith to a world that needs Him now more than ever.
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