COUNTING THE OMER
What is an Omer?
An omer is a dry measure equal to about 15 cups or close to a gallon. It is also equal to a sheave of grain. Sometimes the word omer is translated as "sheave." An omer is a partial representation of the full harvest. Each omer is added to the others until the full harvest is complete. In Scripture a sheaf of wheat is also representative of people. Many times Yeshua uses the idea of wheat to represent people, even himself. However, the first time we see this is in the account of Joseph when he dreams that he and his brothers gather sheaves of wheat and their sheaves bow down to his. Wheat and other grain are so basic to human life that in ancient thought grain and life become one in thought.
WHY COUNT THE OMER?
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The easy answer is that God commanded the Counting of the Omer in Scripture. Although commandment is not the best term. More like He gave us the Counting of the Omer for our benefit, not His, in that way the Counting of the Omer is a gift meant to bring us closer to Him.
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“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf (omer) of the wave offering." -Leviticus 23:15 ESV |
So the reason to count the Omer is to relive two of the greatest moments in human history. The first is the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai when God revealed himself personally to Israel and the mixed multitude. The second is much like it. It was the descent of the indwelling Holy Spirit sent to rest on the disciples of Yeshua. Both of these events happened on the same day in history and both point to each other. God wanted his people to celebrate these days for all eternity and learn the lessons that these days teach.
Not only that but these days point to a deeper mystery that speaks of God's prophetic timeline. There is a deeper meaning to all of this that is only understood when these days are put into practice. There is a future prophetic fulfillment that has to do with the final state of the Kingdom of Heaven. God is revealing to us through these days what His plan is and what He is going to do!
Not only that but these days point to a deeper mystery that speaks of God's prophetic timeline. There is a deeper meaning to all of this that is only understood when these days are put into practice. There is a future prophetic fulfillment that has to do with the final state of the Kingdom of Heaven. God is revealing to us through these days what His plan is and what He is going to do!