In Leviticus 23, the Israelites were commanded to start counting up to 49 days after Passover; that would be seven weeks. This is called “Counting the Omer,” for they had to bring an omer (a small measurement) of barley to the Temple every day in faith of a greater harvest. The bringing of the barley was called “First Fruits.” (By the way, “First Fruits” was the day that Yeshua was resurrected!) As they counted the days, it would lead them to day fifty (50). Day 50 is called Pentecost in English, Shavuot in Hebrew.
Historically, three days prior to the 50th day, the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai after leaving Egypt. On the 50th day, Adonai gave them the Torah. By “counting the omer” yearly, they would always be reminded, not only that they were given the Torah, but also they would know the exact day on which He gave it.
Fast forward some 1500 years during Yeshua’s day–the people were still “counting the omer,” and they would have begun after Yeshua’s crucifixion. Luke 1:3 says, “After his suffering, he presented himself to them [His disciples] and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
During the 40 days of counting, Yeshua does the following:
- He sleeps in the grave.
- He rises from the grave.
- He appears to Mary.
- He walks with two disciples on the Road to Emmaus.
- He appears to Peter and to His disciples.
- He eats with Peter at the Sea of Galilee.
- He gives His disciples the Great Commission.
- He meets them on the Mount of Olives.
- On day 40, He ascends into the heavens.
Let’s not forget what Luke said: He “gave many convincing proofs that he was alive,” which means He did so much more in those 40 days than I listed above.
But what about the 10 remaining days?
For the next ten days the disciples wait in Jerusalem as Yeshua tells them to. I believe they wait as they “count the omer.” As they are counting, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon them in the Upper Room, and they are filled with the Power and Presence of God on day 50! Pentecost! (Shavuot)!
As we “count the omer” this year, let us be reminded that God still desires to pour Himself out upon us — in us — as He did with His Torah and His Spirit! He still desires to bring forth a great harvest and to use us to reap it. This year, as we count, let us say . . . “More, Lord!!”
Pastors David & Juanita Weiss and the Kingdom Life Messianic Congregation invites you to A Celebration of Biblical Pentecost (Shavuot) 2016 with us. This is the time when the God of Israel gave the Torah to His people on Mt. Sinai and when He sent the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to the awaiting 120 disciples in the Upper Room!
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