I love the LORD GOD with all my heart, which is why I love studying the history of the faith I cherish. I want to understand the heritage and origins of my faith. I want to grasp the meanings in Scripture and discover every treasure my Lord died for me to have and enjoy. I have learned about Jewish roots and Messianic origins, and how as a Gentile follower of Christ (Messiah), I have been grafted into the olive tree of a Judeo-Christian faith (Romans 11). I have gleaned much through learning about the culture, inspired authors, and intended audiences of Scripture. For many years I did not understand the significance of both the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible or TaNaK) and the New Testament (B’rit Hadasshah), and I have come to understand both are vital to experiencing and emulating the faith of Jesus (Y’shua). Y’shua came to fulfill the Law (Torah) and make it whole. He did not come to abolish it (Matthew 5:17-19). Through Y’shua, we have been gifted with the full Scripture (the complete authoritative account-Alpha and Omega) for our benefit on earth as well as in heaven.
As I have studied, I have often wondered why some commands written in Scripture (with commandments to do for all generations) are no longer done. If our spiritual ancestors and Y’shua did these things and God directs us in His Word to continue doing them for all generations, why do we not? We know Y’shua attended Passover celebrations (Luke 22:8), and we know one of Y’shua’s ministries is to baptize followers with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). As His followers, one of His greatest gifts to us is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the Hebrew Bible (Protestant Old Testament), we are commanded to observe the Festival of Weeks and to count the omer in preparation to receive the Holy Spirit (Leviticus 23:16). Verse fifteen informs us to begin counting the day after the Passover and reveals why we count forty-nine days instead of fifty (Leviticus 23:15). Given the centrality of the Passover in religious life, worship, and celebration, we understand the day of Passover is actually day one and the forty-nine days (seven sevens or seven weeks) counted that follow combine with the day of Passover to fulfill the fifty days in the commandment.
For forty-nine days, Jewish followers of Messiah (Messianic Jews who practice Messianic Judaism) and many Judeo-Christian followers (Messianic Gentiles grafted into the Messianic Jewish faith described in Romans 11) fast and pray in preparation to receive the infilling or a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Below is the Hebraic version of the prayer with the English translation to follow.
Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam asher qid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu ‘al s’firat ha-‘omer.
Blessed are You LORD our God King of the universe Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to count the omer.
On the 50th day (day forty-nine of counting), the prayer elaborates.
Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam asher qid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu ‘al s’firat ha-‘omer. Ha-yom tesh-ah vey-ar-bah-eem yom she-hame shiv-ah sha-voo-ot la-omer.
Blessed are You LORD our God King of the universe Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to count the omer. Today is forty-nine days, which is seven weeks of the omer.
On the 50th day (the day of Pentecost), the Spirit descended upon those who followed the command to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the same is true for followers today (Acts 1:5, 2:1, Joel 2:28). It is our prayer your Pentecost will overflow with the majestic and powerful gift of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) through participation in the ministry of our Lord and Savior, Y’shua HaMashiach Shar Shalom (Jesus the Messiah the Prince of Peace). May the fire of His Spirit fill you afresh as you honor His command and celebrate the baptism of the Spirit in honor of the day of Pentecost. I am so thankful for the indwelling of His Spirit…teaching me, helping me, and guiding me in great ways as well as in small every single day! Todah ABBA (Thank You Father)! Ten bi et esh Ruchacha (Put the fire of Your Spirit upon me). Maleh oti! Maleh oti! (Fill me! Fill me)!
