April 15, 2014 / 15 Nisan, 5774

Dear Berean,

Day 1 of the Omer

Tonight (4/15/14), after sunset, will begin Nisan 16. As the “day after the Sabbath [of Passover]” we begin the counting of the Omer tonight. Some count differently, however we count along with all Israel, because the Torah was meant to be lived out in community, not making up our own rules and traditions. If you want to know more about why Israel begins the count tonight, there is a Bereans Online study here: How You Count the Omer Matters.

Counting of the Omer

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before HaShem, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it... And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to HaShem.'"
Leviticus 23:10-11, 15-16

There are remarkable parallels between the Passover and Messiah's last Passover with His disciples in Jerusalem. There is great truth discovered in the Feast of First Fruits during that historical week as it relates to Yeshua's Resurrection and our ultimate salvation. These are often commented on in all manner of religious circles. Something missing from the mix however is the Counting of the Omer. Most Christians know at least a little about Passover and how it relates to Messiah. Some think they know about Pentecost [Shavu'ot]. What few understand is this mysterious connection between First Fruits and Shavu'ot. What connects these two feasts is the Counting of the Omer. And it is an eternal command of the Almighty.

Beginning with the Feast of First Fruits, we are to count each day (by tradition we do the counting in the evening when the day begins after sunset). Why count, why not just mark the fiftieth day on the calendar? Beloved, details matter. HaShem wants His people to count. It is a countdown, or rather a "count-up." To best understand the "count-up" we should go back to the historical time in the wilderness. The time between leaving the captivity from Egypt and the arrival at Mount Sinai were 45 days. On the forty-seventh day, Israel prepared to receive the Torah.  On the forty-ninth day, Israel accepts the Torah sight unseen. On the fiftieth day, the Almighty King of the Universe stepped into time and space and met Israel under the betrothal chupa at Mount Sinai. There He spoke His kitubah [wedding vow]. There He fulfilled His promise of the fourth "I Will" (corresponding to the Fourth Cup of the Passover Seder, the Cup of Praise).

Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am HaShem; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your G-d. Then you shall know that I am HaShem your G-d who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.  And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am HaShem.'"
Exodus 6:6-8

It is the marriage betrothal that takes place at Mount Sinai on the fiftieth day after freedom from slavery. It is the memory of this event that we are counting up to. Beloved, it is also portends for something that has not yet been. It is something that must follow the fifth and sixth "I will" from Exodus 6:6-8, which points to the Messianic Age where Messiah reigns from His throne in Jerusalem, where He says, " I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am HaShem."

The redemption secured for us by the blessed words of our Master Yeshua, when He said, "It is finished," will be finally realized. The work that He has finished, will be clearly evident to all creation. We await that day, and we are counting the days…

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped G-d who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our G-d, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the L-rd G-d Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of G-d."
Revelation 19:4-9

The traditional prayers for the Counting of the Omer immediately proceed the bedtime Shema.

Blessed are You, HaShem our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us regarding the Counting of the Omer.

Today is ___ day(s) of the Omer.
Or after 6 days:
Today is ___ days, which are ___ week(s) and ___ day(s) of the Omer.

The Compassionate One! May He return for us the service of the Temple, to its place, speedily in our days. Amen, selah!

- ArtScroll Translation

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Standing in Prayer with all Israel,

Rick Spurlock
Bereans Online
www.bereansonline.org