Cd. Juárez, Chih, Mx; May 15/ 2005; 6 Iyyar-5765
Day 21 of the Omer.

Counting the Omer and  telling stories.


Shalom everybody! This ocassion I will write first the meditation for these days, and afterwards some news...
---

COUNTING THE OMER- SEFIRAT HA OMER


What does mean "sefirat ha omer"? Let's study together to find out the meaning.

The word Omer is a dry measure used in Israel for cereals. It's about 3 quarts. This measure is used in Ex 16:16 "This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather as much of it as each of you requires to eat, an omer to a person for as many of you as there are; each of you shall fetch for those in his tent." Reading the chapter, you realize that it is about the daily portion of manna fetched by person.

Leviticus 23:15,16 we read "And from the day on which you bring the sheaf (omer) of elevation offering- the day after the sabbath - you shall count (sefartem) off seven weeks. They must be complete; you must count until the day after the seventh week- fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the Lord."

On the first day of the counting the Omer, according to Scripture, one omer from barley was elevated as an offering of first fruits (bikkurim)- Lev 23:9-14, besides no one could eat from the new harvest, until this omer was elevated as offering. In Israel, the first grain is barley, some weeks ahead the wheat will be ready to be harvested.

In modern judaism, the Omer is remembered for the counting of the whole 7 weeks (49 days).  It begins the second night of Pesach- Passover and ends with Shavout-Pentecost (day 50). At sundown (when a new day begins) the following blessing is used:
hebrew blessing
"Baruch atah Adonai, Elohenu, melech ha- olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav vitzivanu al sefirat ha-Omer"

"Blessed are You, o Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us by His commandments and commanded us concerning the count of the Omer."

Recite "Today is day __, which is ____ week(s) and ____ day(s) of the omer."

According to a bulletin written by an ultraorthodox organization in Israel..."You shall count for yourselves . . . seven complete weeks" (Vayikra 23:15). This is the mitzvah (commandment) of counting the Omer. During these seven weeks, we work on perfecting ourselves in preparation for receiving the Torah. In the days of the Beis HaMikdash (Temple), the first day's Omer offering was brought from barley, an unrefined grain fit for animal food. That symbolizes the person in his rough form, before he begins working on himself. The offering brought on Shavuout, at the end of the counting, was made of refined wheat, symbolic of the refined personality, capable of understanding and acquiring Torah. Each day, we count another portion of Omer, and move up another rung in the latter of spiritual growth. "

Just avoiding more discussions, Yeshua rose from the dead on the 1st day of the Omer. Paul (Shaul) wrote "But the truth is, Messiah was raised to life- the firsfruits of the harvest of the dead." 1 Cor 15:20  This festival is called "bikkurim"- first fruits. ¿Is just a coincidence?

To be able to dig for the gold, I need to recount the events during the count of the Omer, when Yeshua rose from the dead.-
---
Day 1st of the Omer- Angels appeared to women, Yeshua appears to the disciples walking to Emmaus, and to those in Jerusalem. Yeshua blows over them to impart the Holy Spirit.

Day 8 of the Omer.- Thomas is confronted by Mashiach for his unbelief. John 20:21

Day not defined- By the sea of Galilee, Yeshua prepared breakfast for his disciples- fishermen. Yeshua restores Peter and announced the kind of death how he will glorify God. A miraculous catching of fish!  John 21

Another day not defined.- He appeared to 500 believers, according to 1 Cor. 14:6.

Yeshua teaches about the Kingdom of God during 40 days of the Omer. Acts 1:3

Day 40, Yeshua ascends to the Father. Acts 1:9

From day 40 to 49- 120 disciples were praying, while a new apostle is elected- Matthias in substitution of Judas Iscariot. Acts 1:12-26.

From these facts, I learn:
  1. this is a time of great learning about the Kingdom of God and his values.
  2. facing my own doubts and unbelief.
  3. restoration when I have denied my Messiah.
  4. remember the promises of the Word.
  5. new deeper levels of individual as communitary prayer.
  6. wait and experience miracles from above.
  7. enjoy the moments of intimite fellowship with Messiah, during these days.

About 6 years ago, I began counting the Omer, without understanding the deepest  and richer meanings that I was missing with my relation with Yeshua.

I beseech before the L'rd God of Israel, may enrich your spirit, soul and body while counting the Omer towards Shavout. In Yeshua's name. Amen.
---
I received some e-mails with opinions about mi last bulletin "Renouncing Yeshua". Some were good comments, others made me sad, because one couple I know, they do not believe in Yeshua anymore.

I wait your comments and questions.

On my mood I have been up and down. Nowadays no door has been opened to get an employment. Keep me in your prayers, so I know which is the next step. God is faithful, and he has been providing. I am in debt, but my G-d is bigger than my problems.

I have been studtying UNIX  (Linux) and the use the free software. I need more contacts, because I'm not with the gift of being a salesman. I can fix portable computers and installing this kind of software. This way I could earn some cash, without breaking the copyright law.

Donia Caro is still selling beauty items. She is enjoying what she does. Promoting her products has opened doors to share about Yeshua. Thanks to the Holy One, we had some visitors, with whom we had the opportunity to share about Messiah. Her health is good, while the results of the age and diabethes don't stop.

I ask your prayer for a nice jewish man. His name is Ariel. He is living many family problems. That he acknowledges Yeshua as his Messiah and Adoni (L-rd) during this tough time.

Note: Now I have available two e-mail addresses

Shalom Alechem
Carlos O. Pérez Hurtado
cperez91@hotmail.com
cperez91@fmh-child.org    (new)
Messianic Jew Newsletter (Home)