I want to share a group email I received this morning with excellent thoughts and insight into Shavuot. I pray this challenges and blesses you as it did me.

Shalom Fellow Israelite,

The Counting of the Omer is almost over. Several times in history the marking of time during the seven weeks has culminated in significant events. It is believed that that was the case with the Torah being deposited at Mt. Sinai, and it was certainly true after Yeshua’s post-Resurrection forty day period on earth, and then the following ten days leading to the Spirit’s descent upon those who in the fullness of time became the first fruits of Shavuot (Shavuot is also the Feast of Bikkurim – first fruits).

This year in particular, the period marked by the Omer counting has been full of events in the Land of Israel – some ordained by heaven, others by man, while the natural and weather conditions have also been erratic.

And although there is no special expectancy this year (this coming Sunday) of an unusual event (but, who knows?) yet we are reminded that YHVH’s clock is ticking toward that fullness of time.

And although there is no special expectancy this year (this coming Sunday) of an unusual event (but, who knows?) yet we are reminded that YHVH’s clock is ticking toward that fullness of time.

The FIRST (-beginning-re’sheet) of the barley was marked by Yeshua’s Resurrection, being the One who was “waved” before the Father for our acceptance. Now that this was accomplished, we, the first fruits of the wheat fields, are ripe for the harvest. Being that this is the main idea of this Moed with the waving oftwo loaves, it is worthwhile remembering that this is the one symbol (wheat) that identifies the hidden seed of the House of Joseph. This is the seed that is to be crushed and made into the bread to be given out so that others can have life. Yeshua pointed it out by saying: “This is my body”. Paul identities the body of Messiah, “For we, thoughmany, are one bread and one body” (1 Corinthians 10:17). Just as Yeshua was waved as the Beginning, the Resheet of the Omer, we too are being waved as “His body”, the first fruit.

YHVH has sown the wheat into the field of this world. It is at Shavuot that He is looking over the field for the ripe grain to be harvested. Yeshua stands with the winnowing fork in His hand ready to gather it into His barn, but how many of us are ripe for His harvest? Only the mature grain can be used for the bread that is waved. YHVH knows the exact conditions needed in our lives personally, but also corporately, for every stage of growth including the final stage. Perhaps even the temperatures here in Israel at present, 40 to 45 degrees C. (100 to 110 F). are an indication of how we may view this Moed.

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Shavuot Same’ach,

Ephraim and Rimona