WHO IS COUNTING OMERS?

Do you know that the counting of omers is currently progressing? What’s an omer? Good question! Why should omers be counted? Who’s counting the omers? And, why is this relevant?

In Lev. 23:15-21, concerning the Feast of Weeks, God told the children of Israel to count the days after the Sabbath during Passover week, from the day that they had brought the sheaf of the wave offering (the omer) to the priest (that day was the Feast of First Fruits, the day that Jesus rose from the dead)…they were to count seven Sabbaths, bringing them to the fiftieth day. Are you pondering, calculating, computing? What occurred fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection?

Several years ago in May, a few weeks following Resurrection Sunday, I stood in the midst of an outdoor mall in Central Phoenix waiting to meet a friend for lunch. Pottery Barn caught my eye. (I absorb all that Pottery Barn has to offer and then travel to the thrift stores to find similar décor items) That day I was carrying about an article concerning counting omers as I was to speak on that subject at an upcoming Bible study. While engrossed during my non-shopping experience (“shopping” is defined as the activity of purchasing goods; I was NOT purchasing), I had a question about light fixtures. AND, I had the feeling that the young woman serving customers at the checkout counter was Jewish. So, I stood waiting to speak with her and made sure that my omers article was face up, in full sight. Before I had the opportunity to ask about lights, she looked down at the article and her face lit up! With great excitement she asked, “Are you counting omers?” Never before had I been asked that question. Based on the passage from Leviticus, this young woman was engaged in remembering Passover and the Feast of First Fruits, while anticipating another holiday, the Feast of Weeks. The feasts of the Lord in the Hebrew Scriptures speak to God intervening in the lives of the Jewish people. I told her that I was preparing to teach a Bible study on the Feast of Weeks and how God has intervened in my life through the Promised One of Israel, the Messiah. Her countenance began to fall. The Holy Spirit empowered me to remain joyful and continue to share. This young Jewish woman soon sought another customer. Our conversation having ended, I made my way to the restaurant to meet my friend for lunch. I knew full well that the Holy Spirit, Who descended on the 50th day following Jesus’ resurrection, was able to change this woman’s life for all eternity - in His time!

Israel has always been a nation in waiting. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, God told the children of Israel to REMEMBER what He had done on their behalf, to WORSHIP Him, and to ANTICIPATE what He would do. God continually intervened. In speaking with another Jewish woman a few weeks ago, attempting to arrange a Jewish dancing celebration at her venue in Phoenix, she conveyed that within the Jewish community, there are three signs of mourning that are to be observed for 33 days during the counting of the omers: no weddings; no listening to instrumental music; no haircuts or shaving. BUT GOD gave the Jewish people the feasts, His appointed times, to point them to the Messiah in Whom we are to REJOICE for all eternity! What a message of hope and joy we’ve been given to share. And, it’s a very Jewish message, based on the feasts!

As followers of Jesus, don’t we need to always REMEMBER God’s work in our lives, to WORSHIP Him now (and that “now” is continual) and to ANTICIPATE what He will indeed do – because of Who He is? May we continue to marvel in Him and press on!

For more detailed information regarding the Feast of Weeks and Pentecost, you can access the blog under Ministry Adventures with Cathy, written in May 2016.