Counting the Omer--What's a Omer?

Leviticus 23:15-16


We are walking in today:  Counting the Omer--What's a Omer?

Witness set apart throughout the Bible:  H5674 `abar to sanctify, consecrate to make holy, to passover or by, take away transgression
Exodus 13:12, 19:6, 20:8, 31:13-14, Deuteronomy 5:12, 7:6, 14:2; Ezekiel 36:23; Psalm 4:4; John 17:16-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 6:19


We have looked at the counting of the omer which today we are on day 5.  But what is a omer?  A omer is a unit of measure that generally is the amount of grain that can be obtained from a bundle of grain.  This measurement was used in Jerusalem in the time of the temple,  for the measurement of grain offerings and other dry goods.  Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
The idea of counting up is a change in our thought process--we usually count down to some thing important.  Which when we reach that day can seem like a let down for there is nothing else to look forward to.  When we count up there is expectation to the day that can carry on past what we are counting up to.  The plans that Yahweh has for us is not diminished with the changing of the date.  For He is beyond time, outside of time--He has given us time as a measurement for our lives.  Our time and His time is totally different, much like His thoughts and plans are not our thoughts and plans!  The counting of the omer begins during the feast of unleavened bread, after the Lord's Passover Exodus 12:27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.  This is when the children of Israel were brought out of slavery in Egypt.  They are counting up to the receiving of the Torah which happens 50 days later on the day of Shavout.  The people were brought out of physical slavery at Passover then with the giving of the Torah brings them out of spiritual slavery.  Leviticus 23:15-16 (KJV)15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: 16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.  This was a total change for the people of Israel to be fully delivered, they had to be taken into the wilderness, that they would rely on Yahweh to provide for them.  This is a desert climate so water and provision for the people and the cattle would be a concern.  With the things that Elohim provides in the wilderness to remind them who is capable and in charge, we have the reading daily a section of Psalm 119 to remind us of what He has already done for His people.  As we return to Him with our original understanding to be in the place that He is leading us back to.  This day, has another great occurrence, the giving of the Holy Spirit also happened on this day.  So the importance for those who are believers in Yeshua and also direct their lives according to the Torah have a double reason to observe and desire to count up to this day.  An appointed time of Yahweh, also to celebrate us receiving the Comforter who reminds us of what we have learned.  Fiveamprayer, the more we show up at His appointed times, the more we can experience His presence!  Like any other appointment you don't want to be late nor have to wait to reschedule.  Being on time for your appointment shows that you were looking forward to the meeting.  So stay on schedule and find that in the counting of the omer that your expectation of meeting Yahweh is met.  To hear more of today's teaching click here.