What does it mean to "Count the Omer?" (Leviticus 23:10-17)

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "COUNT THE OMER?"   (Leviticus 23:10-17)   

   Many Christians probably are not familiar with these words;  "counting of the Omer" However, when we read in Leviticus 23:10-17 the instructions from God, we can see symbolism in our Messiah Yeshua.  So, grab your Bibles and read through verses 10-17.  

    When we look at the context, Passover has been celebrated.  This is the time when lambs were sacrificed and their blood placed on the doorposts of the houses in Goshen, in the land of Egypt.  As we are familiar with the Passover story, Adonai himself goes through Egypt and takes the lives of the firstborn in Egypt, in all of the houses where blood was not placed on the doorposts. 

     Goshen, however, was where the Hebrews lived and they DID put the blood on the doorposts, so, Adonai "Passed over" those houses seeing that the "blood of the lambs" was there.  How does this point to Yeshua/Jesus? The blood of the lambs was the "substitute" so that death did NOT enter those households that were obedient.   

    Our LORD and Messiah, Savior was OUR substitute, who took our curse of sin and died in our place.  No wonder he is called the "Lamb of God".  But then, what follows, is the Moed (time, season) of unleavened bread.  We are to eat bread without leaven for 7 days, and together with the night of Passover, they are 8 days.  What is special about unleavened bread?  Yeshua is known as the "Bread of Life" without sin.  Leaven points to sin in Biblical understanding.  So, for 8 days, we are to be reminded to be "aware" of sin in our lives. Every time we partake of unleavened bread during this time period (for those who chose to do so) we are to be reminded of "Yeshua" who is the Bread of Life (without leaven) and to reject temptations, and avoid sin.  

     But there is more.  This is the time when the barley grain was harvested in Israel.  Barley is a simple grain used for food for cattle, and the very poor made barley bread.  Once I made barley bread and it is similar to cornbread, it crumbles easily.  A sheaf of barley is waved before the presence of Adonai, in thankfulness of the harvest.  Then, the barley can be harvested and prepared for cattle fodder, or for making this simple bread.  We remember also that Yeshua/Jesus is the "First Fruits" of the resurrection.  He is the first to be "raised from the dead".  

   Then, we have a time period of 7 sabbaths, (49 days) between this time and it culminates on the Day of Shavuot or Pentecost.  We call this time the "counting of the Omer."  You might ask "What is an Omer?"  An Omer is a grain measure between 2 and 3 litres.  We are reminded that the Israelites were provided with Manna for their daily consumption in the wilderness journeys.  In the Ark of the Covenant, an "Omer" of manna was kept in remembrance of God's daily provision for his people.  

    So, we we really count wheat and barley grains during the counting of the Omer?  Not really, rather we use this time of 49 days to grow in faith and in maturity, to increase our knowledge of the WORD, and in the "Living WORD" to remember that our ancestors came out of Egypt with attitudes and grumblings, yet 50 days later, at Sinai, they were joined together as "Am Echad" (One People) The goal would be to become more like Adonai, to love and obey His commandments, thus maturing in the faith.

    We need to remember that on Shavuot, or "Pentecost" was when the Holy Spirit came down to dwell with all believers.  On Sinai, the fire of God came to rest on Mt. Sinai, away from the people.  On Pentecost, the Fire of God came to "rest" on believers.  This is the culmination of the time of "counting the Omer" looking forward to this time, when we wave two loaves of bread as a "wave offering"  The Bread is of course "Yeshua, the Bread of Life" and why 2 loaves?  "2" can mean "unity and division" we have been "united" in fellowship with God, and "divided" or "separated" from the lost world.  

     We can say this prayer each day:  "Blessed are you O LORD, our God, King of the Universe who has sanctified us in his commandments and commands us to count the Omer."  after that, it is customary to read Psalm 67, then meditate and read Proverbs or other Psalms.  Everyone is different.  We just take this time to grow in faith.  

     Yes, many are saying;  "This is a Jewish holiday" Well, it started out being for the Hebrews first, then, since we are ALL included in God's community of called-out believers, those who trust in Yeshua/Jesus as LORD and Savior, we have the right and privilege to celebrate the "Counting of the Omer" as well.  Once again, we can choose to do, or not to do.  

[Worship Warriors]

@Jacob Ben Avraham

Love your study on counting the omer. There has a be a preparation of the heart for an encounter with God and receiving the Torah and the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire.

The Mount Sinai encounter is what will prepare them for the long journey to the promised land

 But many did not obey , they did not count the omer. The reason they did not enter into the promised land except for Joshua and Caleb. They did not wholly follow the LORD.