May 11, 2016
What exactly is “counting the omer”? In fact, what is an “omer”? An omer is a dry measure of barley, equivalent to about 3.64 liters. The omer (also translated as “sheaf”) offering was waved before YHWH by the high priest, as a first-fruit offering on the designated day after Passover. An omer is a large enough unit that the barley would have to be bundled up to present the offering.
Scripture commands us to count the omer, starting on the day of waving the sheaf in the temple, continuing on to the 50th day, which is Shavuot (also known as Pentecost).
The first Passover took place in Egypt, just prior to the Israelite exodus. Passover was the day that Yeshua was crucified.
The Israelites took three days to reach the Red Sea, where they were issued across on dry land. In future years, the Israelites waved the sheaf offering in commemoration of this day. This is also the day of Yeshua’s resurrection from being in the tomb for three days. Resurrection Day is Day One of the Counting of the Omer.
Moses (a prince, a shepherd, and a deliverer) received the Torah (with the Ten Commandments) on the 50th day after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. Yeshua (a prince, shepherd, and deliverer) gave the Spirit to the church on the 50th day, Pentecost.
The period of 50 days of counting the omer is a time of watching the barley harvest mature and be harvested. During this time period, Yeshua made several appearances to his disciples, and these appearances brought an increasing harvest of souls.
Yeshua is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. If he appeared to his disciples then, making himself real, we can expect him to do that today. If the harvest of souls was maturing and increasing at that time, we can expect the same in our day. That’s why we count the omer! It’s an exciting time!