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Counting The Omer – A Season of Maturation and Growth – Lev 23:9-
Leviticus 23:15-
The word “omer” comes from a measure of barley. The Counting of the Omer is a 49
day countdown to the final spring appointment called Shavuot in Hebrew (i.e. Pentacost).
The Omer is an integral link between Passover and Shavuot. The days of the Omer create
a chain between the things we experienced at Passover and Unleavened Bread with the
renewed spiritual growth we achieve by Shavuot. At Shavuot, we anticipate and receive
a fresh empowering of God’s Spirit; having been set free from various bondages and
sins that we previously brought before the Lord at Passover-
The Omer is a time of recognizable growth and maturation. In the land of Israel,
it is a period in which the wheat that was planted before Passover is allowed to
mature until the time of the harvest 50 days later. The days of the Omer also correspond
to the days that our Messiah Yeshua walked among His disciples after His resurrection,
revealed Himself to hundreds of believers, and ascended to the Father.
The first year
I tried to observe the counting of the Omer I was appalled at my weak flesh that
couldn't seem to even remember consistently to observe this simple command every
day by stopping once a day to say a quick blessing and count the day such as saying
for example, "this is the 12th day of the Omer..."
Consequently I decided to use a calendar and stickers to help me remember. My girls loved putting a sticker on the calendar each day, and they were better at remembering than I was. Another tool I used when they were really little was to give them further incentive to remind me to count the Omer by placing a wrapped gift up high in the kitchen. If they were faithful to help me count the days, they would receive the gift on the 50th day at Shavuot.
[Talk about kids appreciating a gift they look at for 49 days but don't get to have
until the 50th!] This simple idea provided a great learning tool for me to use, which
coincided with the historic biblical concepts that go with this holiday. These include
the giving of the Word of God (Torah) at Mt. Sinai and the pouring out of the Holy
Spirit in Acts 2. Both events where on this particular Appointed Time and both have
themes of empowerment through the giving of truth for the purpose of spreading the
Gospel message that both Paul and Moses preached. Therefore, my practical application
tool of the gift gives the children the idea of expectancy that relates to the idea
of receiving a blessing from the Lord on this day.
Counting The Omer: