Category: More Manna

Extra Helpings

Even More Can Happen In And Around The Same Week

We know that..but before He was, here are some more pictures concluding the events surrounding that week…

John 18:10 Peter’s sword severed Malchus’ right ear, he was servant of a high priest.Jesus heals his ear.  vs. 56 The disciples all fled

vs.57 Then arrested and bound Jesus was taken to Annas, the father in law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. He was the one who said, it was profitable for one to die. 

John 11:49–51 All the high priests, scribes and elders were assembled and ready. This was all done at night.

59-68 They accused Him of blasphemy, spit in His face and hit Him.

69-75 Peter denies Him three times

chp. 27:1 Jesus was kept overnight in an underground dungeon

vs.2 They bound Him lead Him away to the Govenor Pontius Pilate .

vs.3 Judas repented and took 30 pieces of silver back to the chief priests and the elders

5 then he hanged himself.

6-10 They used the 30 pieces of silver to buy the Potters Field in which to bury strangers. Fulfilling Zechariah vs.11:13

v11. Jesus before the governor- v18 who tells them to choose between Jesus and Barabbas

19 – Pilate’s wife has a dream and tells her husband to have nothing to do with condemning Jesus.

The realm of darkness was watching while Pilate sent him to Herod and Herod sent Him back to Pilate.

John 18:28 From Caiaphas to the Praetorium, the governor’s headquarters.v. 29 back again to Pilate who would not condemn him and offers v.30 customary release of one prisoner on Passover and gives them the choice. V.40 they choose Barabbas.

19:1 Pilate instructs the scourging to take place. This was a Roman scourging of many strokes not limited to the Jewish restriction of 39 strokes. Which is why Isaiah prophesied that He was marred and disfigured, He was unrecognizable.‘Behold the man’

19:7 The reasoning for crucifixion according to the Jews was that in the Torah, Leviticus 24:16 says the person who blasphemed the name of the Lord is to be put to death.

Pilate wanted to release Him.  Vs. 13

Pilate moved Jesus outside and sat upon a judicial bench in a place called Lithostrato and in Hebrew is called Gab’ta and it was the sixth hour.

He was given over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified 19:16 and taken to Golgotha the place of the skull called in Hebrew ‘gulgolet’ 19:17

20-23 They choose Barabbas Angkor and to have Jesus crucified.

Vs. 24 Pilate washes his hands before the people saying that he is innocent of the blood of this just person..

Vs. 25 The people curse themselves by saying His blood be on us and on our children.

Matthew 27:28 the scarlet cloak was from the Roman soldiers, this was not His prayer shawl. They had removed that to scourge him.

Mark 15:17 says it was a purple cloak signifying royalty. They also placed a crown of thorns that they had purposely woven and a reed in his right hand.

26  Jesus was scourged and delivered to be crucified

27-31 With the crown of thorns on His head and a reed in His hand and mocked him spit on Him and hit Him on the head.

verse 30 They spit on Him (which even in today’s society spitting is considered an act of mocking and disrespect  towards the person or thing) as a sign of underlying rebellion, prideful and haughty, it showed a disdainful attitude and reflected poorly on those who did it.

In verse 31 and in Mark 15:20 the red cloak was removed and they dressed Him with His own garments giving Him back His prayer shawl.

The other gospels give further details on events.

Luke 23:26 Simon of Cyrene was compelled to help carry His cross. Mark 15:21 tells us he was the father of Alexander and Rufus.

they went to Golgotha the place of the skull

34 and offered Him vinegar to drink to take away the pain but He would not drink it.

35 They cast lots for His garments fulfilling Psalm 22:18 This was not the Scarlet Robe of Matthew 27:28, this tunic that was seamless woven from top throughout vs23 the tunic was possibly His prayer shawl, which in those days was a large poncho like garment. With a hole for the head and fringes on the corners as prophesied in Psalm 22:19

37 A sign was placed over His head on the cross the inscription read: Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jewish people. It was written in Hebrew, Roman and Greek. Roman (the language later became known as Latin now we know it as Italian.) 19:19–22 Jesus gives His mother to John as his own vs 26

38-44 Two thieves with Him, tells one of them, ‘today you will be with Me in Paradise.’

23:32-43 Two evildoers verse 33 one on the right hand is a symbol of God’s salvation from Psalm 20:6 the left hand is a symbol of calamity and judgement … one for each. 

vs. 45 from the 6-9th hour there was darkness all over the land.

Mark 15:34 tells us that after three hours of darkness He cried out in Hebrew, azavtani is the correct spelling of the Hebrew word used in Psalm 22. The Greek text uses the Greek spelling of the Hebrew word which in English is s’bakhthani

Matthew 27:46 eli eli l’mah azavtani   eli eli l’mah sh’vaktani

My God my God why have you utterly forsaken me? He was quoting Psalm 27:2 and some thought He was calling for Elijah.

His side is pierced by a spear of a Roman soldier. 

50 Jesus yields up His spirit. He was suspended between Heaven and earth – symbolically the bridge – restoring the Way back to the Father. 

51 The veil in the middle of the Temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake and the rocks split open.

The veil was torn which was impossible without some divine intervention. It could not have been done with human hands as it was so thick. It was significant because the Veil/curtain was placed between all the people and the presence of God. When Jesus died and became the high priest once for all, the relationship was restored between God and humanity the wall between us was broken down as symbolized by the curtain being torn. God’s presence was no longer contained and limited to the Ark of the covenant now once again His spirit and presence was able to go everywhere.

52 -53 and the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose and then came out of the graves after His resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared unto many.  

57 Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus body

59-60 and John 19:39, Nicodemus comes to help and they wrap Him in a clean linen cloth, he brings 100lbs weight of myrrh and aloes which was only usually reserved for royalty

and place Him in the new tomb. Then roll the great stone over the door and left.

62 – 66 Chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked them to put soldiers by the sepulcher to make sure the disciples didn’t steal away Jesus body and try to deceive the people that He was resurrected.

At some point before the women returned, the Power of the Father raised Him from the dead and quickened His mortal body.

28:1-8 when they return to the sepulcher and there was another great earthquake

the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it.

The angel tells them He is not there He is risen as He said He would.

Vs 9. As they were going to tell the disciples, they meet Jesus and He tells them to go to galilee where He will be waiting for them.

He appeared to Mary Magdalene, in His resurrected human form, just after His resurrection and shortly after the two Marys entered the sepulcher (John 20:14-17).‘sir do you know where they have taken Him?’

At 9:00 a.m. At the exact time of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple the Messiah  “waved” the omer before His Father in the Jerusalem Temple for the acceptance of the FIRST FRUITS.

 John 20:24–31 Thomas examines the nail prints in Jesus hands. 

Mark 16:12 Luke 24:13-35  He appeared to two of them as they walked to Emmaus.

Vs.14  & Luke 24:36 He appeared to the 11 as they sat eating.

Later that day (the First Day of the Week) He appeared to the eleven disciples while they were gathered together and “breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit'” (John 20:19, 22). (This was before Pentecost!)

15 says to Peter 3 times to ‘feed My sheep’.

He also told them to “go into ALL the world [of Israel] and preach the gospel to the whole creation” giving them the great commission (Mark 16:15). Going to the gentiles came later.

Jesus eats with them in John 21:1–13 and we are told of the miracle catch of 153 fish.

Jesus is on the seashore with a fire vs.9 cooking breakfast for them vs. 12 ‘come and dine’

Vs. 19 and Luke 24:50 He was received up into heaven.

Acts 1:2-11 He was seen by the apostles for over 40 days and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the father.

 vs. 4  While waiting, they were counting the Omer until Pentecost/Shavuot 50 days after Passover/Pesach.

Next post will include some mysteries and miracles we don’t always hear about, which, without this post the next one would not make sense.

We are on a journey and everything is connected and has deeper meaning than just the surface events.

If this is your first time on MMM simply refer to earlier posts for the whole story https://www.minimannamoments.com/palm-sunday-nisan-the-appointed-time-of-the-lamb/ and please don’t leave this site without the certainty that you are forgiven.

You are greatly loved!

Remember…

A Lot Can Happen In A Week

  During the process of gathering and assembling all the pertinent information for the Spring feast posts; the reality of the facts and the multiple events surrounding our central focus became clearer than ever before. At best we are prone to forget, at worst we ignore all the activity and miracles taking place on and around the same time as we remembered the Passover.

Even though the week has physically passed, it is still highly relevant as the halfway point, (25th day) to Pentecost is called the 2nd Passover. A 2nd chance to prepare our hearts. For these are His Divine appointments. 

This particular year, everything changed. What had been in the planning and on hold stage, prophetically rehearsed for millennia, was now taking place and unfolding in real-time.

Although many of these events are recorded in all four Gospels, those here are primarily followed in Matthew  chapters 20-28 and John 12.

Prior to the start of passover week,

Jesus/Yeshua raises Lazarus from the dead no doubt one of the last events

that made the chief priests decide to do something about Him, but they did not want to do it right on the festival of Passover. 

In Luke 12:20–21 the Greeks asked Philip to take them to Jesus. In verse 24, He taught on the seed falling to the ground, prophetically declaring what was about to occur in His own life. 

John 12: 28 God’s voice came from heaven, “and I did glorify and I shall glorify again” the crowd heard thunder.

In verse 29, an angel spoke to Him and 

He begins by prophesying that He will be betrayed and the chief priests and scribes will condemn him to death.

 James and John were arguing who would sit on his right or left hand. 

Verse 30 Jesus heals two blind men. He touched their eyes and

immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Then He tells the disciples to go to Bethphage, near the Mount of Olives and to bring the donkeys colt, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9

Then the triumphal entry as recorded in

John 12:12, the next day he entered Jerusalem on the donkey.

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because they miss their appointed time of visitation.

In John 16:23; His teaching to ask the Father in His Name.

John 17. The whole chapter Jesus prays for all believers.

 verse 12, Jesus went into the temple but before-hand, He purposefully and thoughtfully made a whip

and then turned over the tables in the temple courtyard where the merchants were trading animals and birds for the temple sacrifices and drove them out.

vs. 14 The blind and lame came to Him and He healed them.

This displeased the chief priests and scribes and was the final straw to them trying to get rid of Him.

 He went to Bethany and stayed there

John 12:16 also tells us that days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany.

John 12:19 was the withering of the fig tree,

then John records in 12:12-9, the crowd saw it and then the high priests wanted to kill Lazarus after Jesus raised him.

John 12:23 He was teaching daily in the temple and the chief priests and elders came and challenged Him.

Vrs 31- 41 He warned them and then verse 45-46 they realized was He meant.

Chapters 22 and 23 He continued teaching and called them hypocrites,

verse 24, He left the temple and went and sat on the Mount of olives,

here He tells them of the events that are going to take place in future.

chapter 25 teaches the parables of 5 wise

and 5 foolish virgins.

Also the

and the separating of the sheep and goat nations.

 Chp. 26:2 He tells the disciples that after two days is the feast of the Passover and the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified.

Chapter 26:3-5, the chief priests, scribes and elders talked to Caiaphas and consulted how they might take Jesus and kill him.

Matthew 26:6 Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper.

Matthew 7-13, 19 is the record of the woman who washed His feet with her tears and emptied her alabaster box of precious ointment over Him which Jesus stated prophetically, was in preparation for His death.

Jesus tells Simon He knows what he is thinking and declares that the one who is forgiven much, loves much.

14-16 Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and they gave him 30 pieces of silver.

17- Jesus tells His disciples to go and make ready for the seder meal and the Passover

23 24 Jesus tells that one of them there will betray Him

26 He takes the bread and the cup and institutes communion as we know it.

John chapter 13:4-7 if after supper He took a towel poured water into a basin and washed the disciples feet.

John 36: Jesus prays in Gethsemane – Gat Sh’monim, which means olive press. This was an enclosed grove with its oil press.

And olive grove was not a garden, we know it better as Gethsemane.

Vs.40 Peter, James and John could not stay awake one hour, three times He goes to the disciples and they were sleeping each time.

Jesus sweats blood with the stress of the burden of the world’s sin that he is taking upon Himself. Luke 22:44 and Mark 14:33, 34 tells us that He almost died at this point.

There is some scientific data confirming that under extreme stress, blood will be forced through capillaries to the skin surface, appearing as if blood is being sweated.

Verse 43 He saw an angel. 

47-49 Judas arrives with the chief priests and elders of the people and betrays Jesus with a kiss.

John chapter 18:5–7 Jesus spoke ‘I am that I am’, ‘Anochi’, with such a powerful authority and anointing they all fell backward to the ground.

and the rest to follow…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counting Our Blessings With Omer

ספירת העומר
   Sefirat HaOmer


Counting the Omer

So who is Omer?

Not a ‘who’ but a ‘what’.

It’s a time in between.

      God commanded the people to bring a sheaf of the harvest (Leviticus [Vayikra] 23:10).

The Hebrew word for ‘sheaf’ is omer. An omer is defined as ‘a measure of dry things, containing a tenth part of an ephah.’

The definition of an omer being a tenth part of an ephah is found in Exodus (Shemot) 16:36. An ephah contains 10 omers of grain.

It is usually translated as ‘sheaf’,  a bundle of stalks of grain.

An omer is a dry measure of ancient Israel, one tenth of an ephah.

The value of an Omer.

An Ephah is an ancient Hebrew unit of dry volume measure, equal to a bath or to one-tenth of a homer. It is approximately equal to 22 litres, supposed to be equal to two pecks and five quarts. (Ten ephahs make one homer.)

Strongs #6016 AHLB#2554 (g) 1358 (a) Nm­

Here is a picture of an ephah container

Three times a year God commanded the people to come to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to celebrate the festivals of Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot).

All three of these festivals are agricultural harvest festivals. Passover (Pesach) is the barley harvest. Pentecost (Shavuot) is the wheat harvest. Both of these festivals are first fruits harvests before the final harvest that was to come at the end of the year during the festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which is the fruit harvest.

The OMER LINKS PASSOVER TO SHAVUOT

Leviticus/Vayikra 23:15  And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Shabbat, from the day that ye brought the omer of the wave offering; seven Shabbatot shall be complete:

Counting The Omer refers to the forty-nine day period between the second night of Passover, (Pesach) and the holiday of Pentecost, (Shavuot). This period marks the beginning of the barley harvest when, in ancient times, the Israelites would bring the first sheaves to the Temple as a means of thanking God for the harvest. The word, ‘omer’, literally means ‘sheaf’ and refers to these early offerings.

While Passover/Pesach celebrates the initial liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, Pentecost/Shavuot marks the culmination of the process of liberation, when the Israelites became an autonomous community with their own laws and standards.

Counting up to Shavuot/ Pentecost, which is also the date of receiving of the 10 commandments at Sinai and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, reminds us of this process of moving from a slave mentality to a more liberated one.

Make each day count..

Teach us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom.

Every day counts, if we count every day! The seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot provide for us an ideal time for introspection and spiritual progress. An opportunity to reflect upon our own souls and burnish our divine image, a time of inner transformation.

The great illumination of ‘instant’ freedom that was experienced on the Passover/Seder night so often seems to pass us by. Slaves yesterday, free men today, we simply haven’t the vessels to be able to absorb the great chesed – loving kindness – and enlightenment that God had blessed us with. For this we have Sefirat HaOmer – the counting of the days of the Omer, that prepares us gradually for the great re-illumination of God’s light – receiving Torah on Mount Sinai.

Forty-nine days that can change your world: The forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot,
 (between leaving Egypt and receiving Torah at Sinai), are days laden with challenging spiritual potential.
 The opportunity for growth and transformation is ours for the taking. We must count our days and make our days count!

The Waving of the Omer

Likewise, the Scriptures also reveal that the offering of the Firstfruits: ‘the Waving of the Omer’ is a picture of the resurrection of the Messiah, as well as our own future resurrection. (1Cor 15:20-23; Rom 8:23; James1:18).

During the feast of unleavened bread, barley was the crop that was being harvested, so that is what would have been brought. What was significant was that this was the very first of the crop and expresses commitment to God and thanksgiving to Him for His provision.

As they waved the omer before the Lord and began counting the days between this firstfruit offering and the next firstfruit of the 2nd harvest at Pentecost/Shavuot It became known as counting the omer.

The One Redeemed by the Passover Lamb is maturing and counting the days until her betrothal to Messiah.

A OMER IS A TENTH OF AN EPHAH Exodus 16:36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

A SHEAF REPRESENTS a person or a group of people – Genesis 37:5; Genesis 37:7

The journey from leaving Egypt (a type of the world) consists of a time of preparation to meet with the Elohim of Israel at Mount Sinai.

COUNTING THE OMER REPRESENTS GROWING IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY – to as believers Ephesians 4:14; Ephesians 4:15

The spiritual journey consists of:

THE OMER WAS THRESHED (BEATEN) REPRESENTS HUMILITY Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 41:15

MOUNT SINAI REPRESENTS HUMILITY

THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED

Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 18:4, Matthew 23:12; Philippians 2:8; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of Elohim, that he may exalt you in due time:

THE OMER WAS PARCHED IN FIRE –

FIRE REPRESENTS JUDGMENT – Genesis 19:24; Exodus 9:23 Jeremiah 52:13, Revelation 20:10

FIRE REPRESENTS REFINEMENT AND PURIFICATION Psalm 12:6; Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3

FIRE REPRESENTS THE TRIALS OF OUR FAITH – 1 Peter 1:7, James 1:2 James 1:3, James 1:12

THE OMER WAS TOSSED IN THE WIND – OMER TOSSED TO THE WIND REPRESENTS EVERY KIND OF DOCTRINE – Ephesians 4:8; Ephesians 4:11; Ephesians 4:13; Ephesians 4:14

THE OMER WAS GROUND INTO FINE FLOUR: REPRESENTS REFINEMENT, PURIFICATION AND BEING MADE WHITE (RIGHTEOUS)- Isaiah 48:10; Daniel 12:10; Revelation 3:5

John 13:16-17  ‘And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.’

After the Children of Israel left Egypt, 49 days passed before they received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Tradition teaches that each of these days was necessary for the Children of Israel to refine themselves and be worthy of this gift. On each day they examined and corrected another of their inner traits and qualities. There were 49 in all.

These forty nine traits were comprised of seven basic attributes. Each of the seven contained all of the other seven, thus comprising forty nine.

Hebraic sources tell us that the soul of man includes these seven Basic Attributes: * Love/Kindness (Chessed) * Vigor/Discipline (Gevurah) * Beauty/Harmony/Compassion (Tiferet)* Victory/Endurance/Determination (Netzach) * Humility/Devotion (Hod) * Foundation/Bonding/Connection (Yesod) * Majesty/Dignity (Malchut)

The above are also found in the New Testament/Brit HaDasha, these same virtues were spoken about in 1 Peter and Galatians and 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:22-26 22

The Ruach HaKodesh/The Holy Spirit will only reside in clean holy vessels. This is the time where we need to examine ourselves and prepare ourselves to be filled or refilled by the Ruach HaKodesh. A time to reflect on our relationship with Him and prepare our hearts for The Feast Of Pentecost/Shavuot.

When Yeshua told the disciples/talmidim to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh. The disciples/talmidim, were waiting for the promise of the Father and preparing themselves to receive the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh, they were also preparing themselves to receive the Torah in their hearts, just as the children of Israel received the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  They were preparing to become vessels for the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh and to receive the power of Messiah in their lives for the purpose of being witnesses of Messiahs love to the World .

While they were waiting the disciples were not just sitting around doing nothing, they were counting the Omer, as they had done every year, examining their lives in preparation to receiving the gift of the Ruach Ha Kodesh on Shavuot that Yeshua promised them would come. This year would be the literal fulfillment of the Feast.

All of Jesus’s/Yeshua’s post resurrection appearances occurred within the days of the Omer count.

God is looking for FRUIT to abound in our lives. Galatians 5:22.

Our place, like Mary, is to be sitting At The Feet Of Our Master Jesus/Yeshua receiving His teaching.

These 7 virtues are a perfect picture of Jesus/Yeshua our Messiah and it is His desire that we be conformed to His image by the power of Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh.  A blessed time for us to grow more spiritual fruit in our lives and die more and more to the works of the flesh so that He will be glorified in the Life He Has given us.

Week 1 Attribute 1 Love/Ahava Kindess/Chesed abundance/

Week 2 Attribute 2 – Vigor/ (Gevurah) strength/restraint/ Discipline/boundaries

Week 3 /Attribute 3 – Beauty/Harmony/Compassion/balance/heart (Tiferet)

Week 4 /Attribute 4 – Victory/Endurance/Determination (Netzach)

Week 5 /Attribute 5 – Humility/Devotion/refining/ (Hod)

Week 6 /Attribute 6 – Foundation/Bonding/Connection/foundation (Yesod)

Week 7 /Attribute 7 – Majesty/Dignity (Malchut)

Developing some of the attributes of God in our lives, e.g. Loving kindness, Justice, Beauty and Harmony. Constancy, Splendor, Sovereignty, Foundation and Connection.

We are to count 50 days, including the Day of Firstfruits, to the day after the 7th weekly Sabbath, which is Shavuot (Pentecost) (Leviticus 23:15-16).

Notice the scriptures deal mostly with the Holy days of Yom Habikkurim, the ‘counting of the omer,’ and Shavuot.

The counting of the omer can only be understood in the context of the Biblical calendar that is lunar based.

We are given more detail as the scriptures say “begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain,” (Deuteronomy 16:9). This further illustrates the theme of the Day of Firstfruits being the day when the firstfruits of barley is reaped from the field using a sickle.

Pentecost is the Greek word for 50. In Hebrew it is Shavuot pronounced Sha-voo-ote. In (Luke 6:2 and John 5:1) it is also called the feast of weeks because of the counting.

Counting the days between them ties the two first fruits harvests together, just as Jesus ties His resurrection, as sentient and the giving of the immersion of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost/ Shavuot /the feast of weeks.

In one respect, the 50th is the uncountable number. The Omer period lasts for 50 days – yet only 49 are to be counted. The counting of 49 automatically leads to the arrival of the 50th. This elevated state was reached at Sinai. It truly surpassed everything that came before it. It was on the 50th day, Shavuot, that the union between Israel and God, like a marriage, (a covenant), was solemnized.

With this act the Israelite nation supernaturally transcended worldly existence to become one with God. Israel achieved this unity when they arrived at Sinai to encamp in a unified state: like a single person with a single heart. The names of the 12 Tribes of Israel, which were engraved upon the Stones worn by the High Priest/Kohen Gadol, have a total of 50 letters, merged as one entity with their Creator. Such amazing grace!

2 other alternative ways to count the Omer are: every day read one of the 49 parables in the gospels: see

https://www.minimannamoments.com/49-parables/

or simply count each day and remember to count our blessings and name them one by one.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,


Count your blessings, see what God has done!


Count your blessings, name them one by one,


And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

(Full text of song at bottom of page.)

Yet how often do we really do that?

In today society counting blessings is often more related to the things we own, worldly possessions etc., however, Jesus tells us in Luke 12:15 that a man’s success is not measured by such. Our sophisticated society and culture has altered our thinking and reasonings and in doing so has dulled our sensitivity to how to keep a childlike quality in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Remaining simple in a childlike faith and humble in attitude is a key to total trust in Him and His ability to provide for us, instead of our puffed up declarations of, I did it my way in my own strength.

The devastating weather this spring has brought sadness, loss and suffering to many around the world, while praying for those affected by the storms, it’s comforting to remember that whatever happens, we are in His hands and that our souls/spirits ultimately belong to Him; Ecc 12:7; and that we should not neglect to: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:



Psalms 103:2 – and to give thanks unto the LORD; for [He is] good: because His mercy [endureth] for ever. Psalms 118:1-18 for when we go through hardships; Is 43:2 confirms He is with us. As we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own natural understanding. Prov 3:5 He will never leave us nor forsake us and He will restore those whose trust is in Him.

~

This post is part of the 4 Spring Festivals of Gods Appointed Seasons and should be read in conjunction with the previous posts all available at https://www.minimannamoments.com/ More Post links at the bottom of page.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,


When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,


Count your many blessings, name them one by one,


And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

 

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,


Count your blessings, see what God has done!


Count your blessings, name them one by one,


*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.


[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?


Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?


Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,


And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,


Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;


Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]


Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,


Do not be discouraged, God is over all;


Count your many blessings, angels will attend,


Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Johnson Oatman, Jr., pub.1897

Shalom and please don’t leave this site if you are not 100% sure you are saved..you are greatly loved.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/welcome-come-taste-some-bread-of-life-bread-from-heaven/life-changing-information-guaranteed/

First Fruits

First Fruits (Yom Habikkurim).

Continuing the overview of the Spring Festivals, Gods Appointed Times. (Again this is just a basic overview and not designed to be an in depth study.)

If you are new to MMM other posts in connection to this series at:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/not-passing-over-passover-week/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/unleavened-bread-matzot-week/

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The 3rd Feast is called First Fruits. It is the barley harvest (Bikkurim) and is observed during the week of Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzah).

It will always be the day following the weekly sabbath, the first day of the week (Yom Rishon), which we call Sunday (Leviticus [Vayikra] 23:9-11). On this day, sheaves of barley were waved before the Lord in a prescribed ceremony.

Biblical/Hebrew Name – Bikkurim  

English Name – First Fruits of Barley Harvest

Time of Observance – The morrow after the sabbath during Hag HaMatzah

The HISTORICAL APPLICATION OF THE FEAST of First Fruits – Crossing the Red Sea (Bikkurim)

Probable MESSIANIC APPLICATION & FULFILLMENT OF THE FEAST First Fruits   – Resurrection of Yeshua (Bikkurim)

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION ( Halacha) of First Fruits – Walking (Halacha) in newness of life (Bikkurim)

Leviticus [Vayikra] 23:9-14

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Now on the day when you wave the sheaf you shall offer a male lamb one year old without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord. Its grain offering shall then be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil an offering by fire to the Lord for a soothing aroma, with its libation, a fourth of a hin of wine. Until this same day, until you have brought in the offering of your God, you shall eat neither bread nor roasted grain nor new growth. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places’ “

First Fruits (Yom Habikkurim). “On the morrow after the Sabbath” following Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:11 schedules First Fruits, the feast for acknowledging the fertility of the land He gave the Israelites. They were to bring the early crops of their spring planting and “wave the sheaf before the Lord.”

Understanding the Festival Ceremony

When the standing ripe harvest of barley and wheat was ready to be reaped one sheaf from the standing harvest was brought to the priest. The lone sheaf was called “the sheaf of the first fruits.” The priest was then to take this one sheaf and wave it before the Lord in His house. (Where His Presence was in The Temple in Jerusalem.) This was to be done “the day after the sabbath.” Prescribed offerings were also to be presented along with the sheaf.

The Sheaf of First Fruits in the Bible

God commanded the people to bring a sheaf of the harvest (Leviticus [Vayikra] 23:10). The Hebrew word for “sheaf” is omer.

Just what is the “wave sheaf” offering, anyway? The original Hebrew word translated “sheaf” is omer. This word means “a heap” or “sheaf”, a dry measure. Says Gesenius Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon, it means “a measure of dry things, containing the tenth part of an ephah.” An omer, according to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, held about 5.1 pints.

Though one ephah, or ten omers, of barley was cut down, only one omer of flour, or about 5.1 pints of our measure, was offered in the Temple on the second Paschal, or 16th day of Nisan

This is a WHOLE SHEAF of barley — consisting of 5.1 pints, or a little over two quarts, at least! How many individual “grains” of barley would that be? There are multiple thousands of barley grains in one omer. The “omer” then was not one grain, or the grain from one plant, but many barley plants — many grains!

Three times a year God commanded the people to come to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to celebrate the festivals of Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot).

All three of these festivals are agricultural harvest festivals. Passover (Pesach) is the barley harvest. Pentecost (Shavuot) is the wheat harvest. Both of these festivals are first fruits harvests before the final harvest that was to come at the end of the year during the festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which is the fruit harvest.

The harvest represents all who would put their faith, trust, and confidence (emunah) in the Messiah Yeshua (Matthew [Mattityahu] 13:39; Mark 4:26-29; Luke 10:1-12; Revelation 14:14-16). So, the sheaf is the first of the first fruits. Since a sheaf in the Bible is used to typify a person or persons (Genesis [Bereishit] 37:5-11), a sheaf seems to spiritually represent people who accept the Messiah into their hearts both Israelite and gentile.

The nation of Israel was familiar with the concept of first fruits or the firstborn. The first fruits were always the choicest, the foremost, the first, the best, the preeminent of all that was to follow.

They were holy to the Lord.

The concept of first fruits or firstborn is a major theme in the Bible. This can be seen by the following Scriptures: Exodus (Shemot) 23:16,19: 34:26; Lev. (Vayikra) 2:12,14; 23:20; Numbers (Bamidbar) 18:12-15,26; Deut. (Devarim) 18:1-5; 26:2-4,10; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Nehemiah 10:35-39; Proverbs (Mishlai) 3:9; Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 2:3; Ezekiel (Yechezekel) 44:30; 48:14; Malachi 3:8-14; Hebrews 6:20; 7:1-8.

The Seventeenth of Nisan — Resurrection and Salvation

The theme of the festival of First Fruits is resurrection and salvation. There are several important events that happened on this day in the Bible.

Noah’s (Noach) ark rests on Mount Ararat (Genesis 8:4).

Israel crosses the Red Sea (Exodus [Shemot] 3:18; 5:3; 14).

Israel eats the first fruits of the Promised Land (Joshua 5:10-12)..

Haman is defeated (Esther 3:1-6

The resurrection of Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah (John 12:24; 1 Corinthians 15:16-20).

Yeshua celebrated the festival of First Fruits by offering Himself as the first fruits to all future generations (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:52-53).

Jesus/Yeshua The First Fruits of the Barley Harvest

Jesus/Yeshua is the firstborn of Miryam (Mary) (Matthew 1:23-25).

Jesus/Yeshua is the first-begotten of G-d the Father (Hebrews 1:6).

Jesus/Yeshua is the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:15).

Jesus/Yeshua is the first-begotten from the dead (Revelation 1:5)

Jesus/Yeshua is the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29).

Jesus/Yeshua is the first fruits of the resurrected ones (1 Cor.15:20,23)

Jesus/Yeshua is the beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3:14).

Jesus/Yeshua is the preeminent One (Colossians 1:18).    

Jesus/Yeshua indeed the Most Holy One of God and is sanctified by the Father.

Jesus/Yeshua is the first, the choicest, the preeminent One. He is both the firstborn of God and the first fruits unto God.

Jesus/Yeshua is the sheaf of the first fruits.

First Fruits Is Prophetic
 of the Resurrection of the Messiah

The festival of the sheaf of the first fruits is prophetic of the resurrection of Jesus/Yeshua.

Jesus/Yeshua prophesied that He would rise after He was slain on the tree (Matthew [Mattityahu 12:38-40; 16:21; Luke 24:44-46).

This was foreshadowed to happen in the Tanach (Old Testament) by type and shadow (Genesis [Bereishit] 22:1-6; Exodus [Shemot] 3:18; 5:3; 8:27; Esther 4:15-17; Jonah 1:7; 2:1-2).

Jesus/Yeshua arose from the grave on the seventeenth of Nisan, the day of the festival of First Fruits. This day would be the day after the weekly sabbath during the week of Passover (Mark 16:1-6). In fact, Jesus/Yeshua is called the first fruits of those who rise from the dead.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, after that those who are Christs’ at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NAS).

It was prophesied that Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah, would be buried in the tomb of the rich (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 53:9; Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:57; Luke 23:51). Why was Jesus/Yeshua placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea? Arimathea was another name for Ramah, where Samuel dwelt. It is five miles north of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In fact, this place is still called Ramah today. In ancient times, it was customary for Jews to be buried in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In fact, this practice is still done today because it is a traditional belief in Judaism that the resurrection of the dead will take place in Jerusalem

“For Christ, OUR PASSOVER also has been sacrificed. LET US therefore CELEBRATE THE FEAST, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the UNLEAVENED BREAD of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

The way the feast days were set up by the Lord, the chief priests would have to offer up the sheaf of the first fruits of the harvest with a torn Veil.

Later they would hear that the Lord Jesus resurrected on the day of first fruits and would have to look at and eat unleavened bread up until the day they crucified him.

At the moment of Jesus death the veil in the temple was torn in two!

It must have made them think.

“On the morrow after the Sabbath” following Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:11 schedules First Fruits, the feast for acknowledging the fertility of the land He gave the Israelites.

They were to bring the early crops of their spring planting and “wave the sheaf before the Lord.”

The Spiritual Understanding of First Fruits

Spiritual Application (Halacha). A sheaf in the Bible is used to typify a person or persons (Genesis [Bereishit] 37:5-11). Yeshua will return to earth (Zechariah 14:4) during His second coming as King over all the earth. He also will bring the sheaves (the believers in Yeshua as the Messiah) with Him (Psalm (Tehillim) 126; Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 31:9-14; Joel 3:11-13; Zechariah 14:3-5; Matthew [Mattityahu] 13:37-39; Mark 4:26-29; Hebrews 12:1; Jude 14; Revelation 1:7).

The 144,000 Jewish witnesses who witness of Yeshua during the Chevlai shel Mashiach, the birthpangs of the Messiah (also known as the tribulation/Jacobs trouble) are first fruits to God during the tribulation (Revelation 14:1-4).

Because of the blood covenant God made with Abraham when God asked if he was willing to sacrifice his only son so then reciprocally God was able to offer His only Son for everyone who will believe.

The modern church has come to call this feast “Easter,” named after Ishtar, the pagan goddess of fertility. In searching the Scriptures there is no reference to Easter as their name in the text, only to Passover Seder. Luke 22:1–24.

So here is a Brief explanation and meaning: In the fourth century 196A.D. the church leaders for various reasons brought about the changes by introducing Easter which was the celebration of the fertility goddess Ishtar in Syria and Babylon. (Todays Iraq.)

The name Ishtar was written in Greek as Istar because there is no’sh’ sound in the Greek language. Also the Greek and Latin letters for the letter I are pronounced EE, Istar became Easter when spelt with English letters. The celebration of Ishtar brought with it symbols of reproduction example eggs and rabbits. This was done to separate from Jewish groups and to make it easier for heathens to become ‘Christians’, by letting them retain the pagan customs.

The First Fruits celebration was to be over God’s replanting of the earth in the spring. It quickly became traditional and could be seen as something to be thought about in light of Jesus’s comment in Mark 7:13

‘Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing.’

Rabbits and eggs are not bad in themselves but we know only the sacrifice of Jesus will bring salvation, indeed Jesus became our Passover Lamb and was raised from the dead on First Fruits.

And today these spring feasts celebrate that which actually occurred and also eventually, the resurrection of the entire Body of Jesus our Messiah when He returns as King! For He is neither in a crib nor on the cross or in a grave for..