MAY-June 2004
(PAGE TWO)

BACK TO PAGE ONE

There are numerous articles and sermons given every year concerning Passover and it's relation to YAHshua the Messiah. The selection of the lamb without blemish, it's preparation, and sacrifice between the evenings. There is also much information about the new symbols of YAHshua’s body and blood, the bread and the cup and what they signify. There is however, an aspect of the Passover season that is mainly overlooked or mentioned in passing. This is the Wave Sheaf offering. In this study we will come to understand its full meaning and the lesson it teaches us.

To begin let us review just when Passover is. It falls in the early spring at the beginning of the first harvest, the fourteenth day of the first month, Abib (Abib means to be tender or green. #24 Æabiyb ) Immediately following Passover are the days of unleavened bread beginning on the fifteenth Abib. The first day is a commanded high Sabbath as is the last day, the twenty first Abib. A weekly Sabbath always falls sometime within these seven days. It is the morning after this weekly Sabbath that the Wave Sheaf offering was to be made. Lev. 23:10 "Say to the people of Israel, When you come into the land which I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest; 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, that you may find acceptance; on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

This Wave Sheaf offering is tied in directly to the death and resurrection of YAHshua the Messiah. Lets begin with the death of YAHshua and what He said just prior to His arrest and trial.

John 16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

YAHshua said it was crucial that He go away because if He didn't the Holy Spirit would not be sent. This is not a small matter. If the Holy Spirit did not come there would be no connection to YAHWEH the Father. It is through this spirit that YAHWEH reveals His deep truths to us.

1 Cor. 2:9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what Elohim has prepared for those who love him," 10 Elohim has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of Elohim." He was going away to be presented to, and accepted by the Father. Just how crucial was this presentation and acceptance?

If YAHshua was not presented to and accepted by the Father there would be no Holy Spirit, no connection to the Father, no forgiveness of sins and no salvation. This sounds almost impossible to believe if one thinks the way the religions of this world do. YAHWEH’S plan for mankind is very deep and complex. If you do not keep the holy days commanded in the scriptures and recognise and study the different rituals surrounding them you will not understand that plan. According to churchianity, YAHshua came, He died for our sins and that is all there is to it. The truth however is much different. YAHshua’s life on this earth and His death on our behalf is only the very beginning of a beautiful series of events that open the way to salvation.

This will shock some but the death of YAHshua did not save us. To understand this fully let’s turn to; 1 Cor. 15:12 Now if Messiah is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Messiah has not been raised; 14 if Messiah has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting Elohim, because we testified of Elohim that he raised Messiah, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Messiah has not been raised. 17 If Messiah has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (Emphasis mine)

Take very careful note of the following. Romans 5:10, For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to Elohim by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. The death of YAHshua reconciled us to the Father by paying the penalty we had incurred by our sins but it is His life that saves us. If He were not resurrected, presented to the Father and accepted by Him, we would still be in our sins and there would be no salvation possible. This does not make light of YAHshua’s death it serves to enhance and magnify what He has truly done on our behalf. This is what the wave sheaf offering is all about.

There is something very crucial to understand here. The Wave Sheaf offering began the first small harvest in Israel. There was a larger, general harvest later in the year. The first harvest was a specialised harvest of the early grains. The second was a diverse harvest of the late grains, fruits and vegetables. Just as there was a small early harvest and a later, larger harvest, so it is with YAHWEH’S plan of salvation. There is an early or first small spiritual harvest of mankind for YAHWEH’S kingdom of which YAHshua is the very first sheaf represented by the Wave Sheaf offered to YAHWEH. YAHshua is the first sheaf of the first harvest and we who are called in this age are the first fruits harvest. James 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Revelation 14:4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are chaste; it is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for Elohim and the Lamb.

This ties in directly with Pentecost. This commanded high day Sabbath falls at the end of the early spring harvest. It is also called the feast of first fruits or the feast of weeks. Exodus 34:22 And you shall observe the feast of weeks, the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end.

Pentecost was the time the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles and the others that were gathered as commanded by YAHshua before His final ascension to the Father in Heaven. Acts. 3:1-5. This giving of YAHWEH’S Spirit occurred in a miraculous way, as tongues of fire resting on each of them. This was the first Pentecost or feast of firstfruits in the new assembly of YAHWEH under the new or renewed covenant. This is a very special festival with great meaning for us. It is the time the law was given to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai, the time when the Holy Spirit was first given to the apostolic assembly, and it signifies the end of the first fruits harvest of mankind for YAHWEH.

There is something that must be noted here. YAHshua could not have been the first of the firstfruits or the Wave Sheaf offering if He had not died. YAHshua mentions this concept.

John 12:23 And YAHshua answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." This is an amazing scripture with deep meaning for those that follow YAHWEH. With this saying He connected His death with the saving of all of mankind. The apostles did not understand because the Spirit of YAHWEH had not yet been given but we can in this age through that same Spirit that is within us.

If a seed of grain is not planted in the soil it remains a single seed and produces nothing. If it is planted and dies however it will, as YAHshua said, sprout to a new plant and produce much grain.

It was the same with YAHshua. If He remained alive He would be a single son of YAHWEH. He could only produce more life if He gave up His own. It was by His death that He would pay the penalty for our sins and by the resurrection would defeat death and open the way to eternal life for us. 1 Cor. 15:54 "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to Elohim, who gives us the victory through our Master YAHshua Our Messiah." By doing this He could produce more sons and daughters for YAHWEH.

Rom. 8:29 Tells us that YAHshua was the first born of many brethren. In Rev. 1:5 We are told that He was the first born of the dead. He is the first to be resurrected to eternal life. He is the Wave Sheaf of the first harvest. We who follow are the first fruits harvest to YAHWEH.

The time of the Passover has a dual purpose. By His shed blood and death on the stake, YAHshua paid the penalty for our sins and reconciled us to the Father. This was an act of reconciliation. The act of eternal salvation begins at the resurrection of YAHshua three days and three nights later. Remember Paul said; "Much more now that we are reconciled we shall be saved by His life." Rom. 5:9

Before the plan of eternal salvation could begin, something had to happen that is prefigured by the Wave Sheaf offering. Read in the evangel of John about the coming of Mary of Magdala, Peter and John to the tomb. John 20:1-20 When they saw the stone had been rolled back and the body of YAHshua was gone, Peter and John went to their homes. Mary stayed behind weeping at the entrance. When YAHshua made Himself known to her she was about to embrace Him from joy. In verse 17 YAHshua told her not to hold Him as He had not yet ascended to the Father to be glorified. He sent her to tell the apostles what she had seen and heard. Notice verse 1 that it was still dark. We will see shortly that this statement is important.

YAHshua had been resurrected three days and three nights after His death just as He said.

Matthew 12:40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." It was now the morrow after the weekly Sabbath during the days of unleaven bread. It was on this day that the Wave Sheaf of the first harvest would be cut by the priest and presented as an offering to YAHWEH for acceptance. Leviticus 23:11 "and he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, that you may find acceptance; on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it." This ceremony took place as the rays of the sun began to light their way. It was at this same time that YAHshua would ascend to the Father in Heaven and present Himself to YAHWEH as the first sheaf of the first harvest and be accepted and glorified as the first and the most perfect of the early harvest.

Just as He had fulfilled exactly on time, the Passover sacrifice, He now fulfilled exactly on time, the Wave Sheaf offering.

Let us at this point review and fully understand what has just happened. YAHshua accomplished the first part of the task that He came to do. He reconciled us to the Father by shedding his blood as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Heb. 9:24 For Messiah has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Elohim on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgement, 28 so Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Having given His life for us He can now accomplish the second part of His task, defeat death by being resurrected and opening the way to eternal life for all mankind. 1 Cor. 15:54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to Elohim, who gives us the victory through our Master YAHshua Messiah." Death could not hold Him and will now not be able to hold us either.

YAHshua was now ready to complete the third part of His task, become the Wave Sheaf offering of the first harvest of mankind and be accepted into Heaven to the Fathers throne.

John 20:17, Dan. 7:13-14, Rev. 1:13-16.

Now He could begin the fourth part of the task He came perform, minister to us as a perfect and final High Priest in the order of Melchizedek and to intercede on our behalf with the Father.

Heb. 9:11 But when Messiah appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)

12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to Elohim, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim, also verse 24 For Messiah has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Elohim on our behalf.

eb. 10:11-18 From His position at the throne of YAHWEH He can tend the first harvest of mankind which is symbolised as complete by the day of Pentecost, fifty days from the Wave Sheaf offering.

An amazing miracle has occurred that goes unnoticed by nearly all of the religions of this world. Many events have fallen perfectly in place that could only have been planned and carried out exactly on schedule by a supreme mind such as that of YAHWEH. No man planned this scenario. This miracle disproves the good Friday death, Easter Sunday resurrection of our Messiah. It also proves the true day of the week that YAHshua did die.

The leaders of the people asked YAHshua for a sign to prove that He was the true Messiah.

The sign of Jonah was the only sign that He said He would give. Matt. 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The whole world has denied this one and only sign given through observing the Friday death Sunday resurrection doctrine.

The following will prove that YAHshua was correct and mankind is dead wrong. For this sign to be valid, and for YAHshua to fulfil everything that was prophesied concerning Him, He would have to sacrificed exactly on Passover, be in the grave three days and three nights, and be resurrected in time to be the Wave Sheaf offering the day after the Sabbath. All of these things had to happen exactly on schedule, YAHWEH’S schedule.

Passover, time in the grave, resurrection, and the Wave Sheaf offering, let’s analyse this scenario. We know exactly when the Passover was to be offered, Abib 14, the first month of the year in the spring. We know exactly, according to the word of YAHshua, how long He would be in the grave, three days and three nights. We know exactly when the Wave Sheaf was to be offered, the morrow after the weekly Sabbath during the days of unleavened bread. If these things did not happen exactly on schedule, we have no Savoir.

We will soon see that all things came exactly on schedule. As stated before, no human mind could plan all of these things and have them fall in perfect sequence at the precise time prophesied. Take careful note of the following. For all of these things to happen on schedule, Passover would have to fall on Wednesday of that year. No other day will work as we shall soon see. YAHshua died Wednesday afternoon before sunset on the preparation day for the first high day Sabbath of the year. He was placed in a new tomb immediately prior to sundown. John 19:31 "Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the stake on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." Thursday of that week was a high day Sabbath, the first day of unleavened bread. Then there would be Friday and then the weekly Sabbath.

The fact that there were two Sabbaths, a high day and a weekly Sabbath, during the time YAHshua spent in the grave has been clouded by translation of scripture from the original tongue to our English of today. This clouding has made a way for the Friday death, Sunday morning resurrection doctrine to take hold. The truth, however, dispels this myth. At this point let’s investigate one such clouded scripture. This scripture gives the most information concerning that time than any other.

Matt. 28:1 in the literal Greek to English reads; "But late of the Sabbaths, at the drawing on of one of the Sabbaths, came Mary the Magdalene and the other Mary to view the grave." As it reads, without the knowledge of the festivals and the rituals surrounding them, this reading doesn't make much sense. It gave the translators a problem as well hence it was changed to say what they thought it meant. The first thing to understand here is that the Greek word of Sabbaths is Sabbaton. The Greek word for weeks is also Sabbaton.

In the King James Version of the bible this scripture reads; Matt. 28:1 "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." Satan has cleverly concealed the true meaning of this scripture to hide the fact that there were two Sabbaths between YAHshua’s death and His resurrection. Why did he do this? If there were two Sabbaths between the death and resurrection of YAHshua then the Friday death and the Sunday resurrection doctrine goes down the drain. He has also concealed the truth of the Wave Sheaf offering and the count of seven Sabbaths to Pentecost that was still being observed at the time of Messiah. However to those who truly love our Messiah, YAHWEH will open the true meaning in His word, the bible, if one diligently studies according to His directions. Isaiah 28:13 "Therefore the word of YAHWEH will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." If one studies only the new testament one will not have a full understanding of scriptures. One must know what came before to fully understand what comes later.

Let us now understand what this scripture truly says. In the KJV, the words not in the original are always written in Italics. These words were added in the attempt to make the meaning clearer. Sometimes it just serves to cloud the true meaning. Notice that the word day in this verse is in italics. This means it was not in the original. Let us remove it. It will then read; "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." This doesn't make too much of a difference in its meaning, however there is another change to make to bring it to the original meaning.

In the Greek, Sabbath and week (Both are translated from Sabbaton and are both in the plural) If we make them plural this scripture will read; " In the end of the Sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward the first of the weeks, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."

In this state it reveals something amazing. It was after the Sabbaths, the high day and the weekly Sabbath, when Mary came to the tomb while it was still dark. This day was also the day that the count of seven weeks to Pentecost began. This would be the first of those weeks. It was the day of the Wave Sheaf offering, the morrow after the weekly Sabbath. Mary arrived at the tomb of YAHshua after the Sabbaths and in the early morning in the first of the seven weeks that were to be counted to Pentecost. When she encountered YAHshua He told her not to touch Him as He had not yet ascended to the Father. He, as the true Wave Sheaf offering, would ascend to the Father at the exact time that the Wave Sheaf was offered after sunup by the high priest.

Let us read that scripture in its true form again. Matt. 28:1 "In the end of the Sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward the first of the weeks, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." Its meaning is clearly evident and will serve to verify the following.

Now back to our subject. As stated above YAHshua died on Wednesday afternoon shortly before sunset on the preparation day for the first high day Sabbath of the year. He was taken from the stake and placed in a new tomb just prior to sundown. He would be in the grave; 1) Wednesday night, 2) Thursday night, 3) Friday night. 1) Thursday day, 2) Friday day,

3) Saturday day. Three days and three nights. He was resurrected just at sundown on Sabbath as the first day of the week and also as the first of the weeks began. Thus is fulfilled the sign of Jonah.

We can also prove that YAHshua was not resurrected at sunrise on Sunday as this world’s religions claim. When Mary of Magdala came to the tomb on the first of the weeks it was still dark and YAHshua had already risen. John 20:1 (If we apply what we learned from the original Greek in Matt. 28:1 it reads as follows.) "The first of the weeks cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre."

He was not still in the grave at sunrise as the world’s religions claim. He was raised as He had said, after three days and three nights. Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Master lay."

In review did you notice that everything happened exactly on schedule? YAHshua shed His blood as the perfect sacrifice exactly on Passover. He was in the grave exactly three days and three nights in fulfilment of the sign of Jonah. He ascended to the Father as the Wave Sheaf offering exactly on the morrow after the Sabbath.

If you move Passover to any other day of the week that year YAHshua could not have fulfilled all that was prophesied of Him. He could not have fulfilled the Wave Sheaf offering, three days and three nights after His death, on the morrow after the Sabbath. Experiment with this and you will see that prior to Wednesday He would be too early for the Wave Sheaf offering.

Any day after Wednesday and He would still be in the grave on the morrow after the Sabbath and could not fulfil the Wave Sheaf offering as the first of the first fruits harvest.

Only a supremely wise mind could plan and carry out such a complex plan exactly on schedule. Rom. 11:33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of Elohim! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!

The word of YAHWEH is sure and unchangeable and greatly to be trusted. Let us meditate on these things as we celebrate the life of YAHshua as out High Priest and the Wave Sheaf offering of the first fruits harvest of mankind to YAHWEH.

Psalms 145:3 Great is YAHWEH, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

HalleluYAH! May YAHWEH bless your studies.

BACK TO PAGE ONE

YAHWEH spoke to Moses saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto YAHWEH. And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your Elohim: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings," Lev. 23:10-14.

One of the key things that we must understand about Scripture, especially the Torah, is that it was written about YAHshua. Moses wrote of YAHshua as YAHshua told the people of His day, "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me," Jn. 5:46.

Moses wrote about YAHshua in parables. The ordinances of divine service, worldly sanctuary, priesthood, etc. were figures or parables (Heb. 9:1-9). Hebrews 9:8-9 states, "The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present…" The word "figure" is translated from the Greek word "parabole" which is elsewhere translated as "parable."

Parables were for the purpose of keeping things hidden (Mt. 13:10-17). YAHWEH purposely blinded the great overall majority of Israel (Ro. 11:7-10, 25) through those parables.

Paul reveals that a vail is still upon the heart of the Israelites, so that when Moses is read they continue in blindness (2 Cor. 3:13-15). The only way to remove the vail, the blindness, is to turn to YAHshua (2 Cor. 3:16).

The sheaf of firstfruits was a parable of YAHshua. Let’s look into this parable to see if our understanding of the Savior might be magnified by it.

The first thing we need to find out is what a sheaf was. The word "sheaf" gives us the idea of a bundle of wheat, but such was not the case. The Hebrew word that has been translated as sheaf is "omer." An omer was a measured amount. We read in Ex. 16:36, "Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah." Furthermore, Ezekiel says that an ephah was a tenth of an homer, "Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath. The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer."

Today, our dry measure is in bushels, pecks, quarts, etc. Israel measured in homers, ephahs, and omers. An homer was the greatest measure. The ephah was a tenth of an homer, while the omer was a tenth of an ephah. In other words, the omer was a tithe of a tithe.

There is an important concept regarding the tithe of the tithe. YAHWEH spoke to Moses saying, "Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for YAHWEH, even a tenth part of the tithe. And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto YAHWEH of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof YAHWEH’S heave offering to Aaron the priest," Num. 18:26-28.

When the children of Israel reaped their fields, they measured their increase in homers, just as our farmers today measure their yield in bushels. A homer would have been equivalent to about 8 bushels in today’s measure. A bushel is equivalent to 4 gallons or 16 quarts, therefore, an homer would be equivalent to 128 quarts.

The tithe of the homer, the ephah, was given to the Levites. An ephah would be equivalent to .8 bushel or 12.8 quarts. The Levites, in turn, tithed their tenth, the omer, to the high priest. An omer would be equivalent to .08 bushel or .32 gallon or about 1.28 quarts (which is less than a half a gallon). The Levites gave the best of what they had received in their tithe.

The point is that the tithe of the tithe always belonged to the high priest. The high priest dwelt in or near YAHWEH’S tabernacle, the place of the abode of YAHWEH’S name. The high priest was, in turn, a type of YAHshua, the heavenly high priest. The omer, the tithe of the tithe was also a type of Him. YAHshua, being the heavenly High Priest, as well as the omer (sheaf) of firstfruits, belonged to YAHWEH.

After the deliverance from Egypt into the wilderness of Sin, Israel began to murmur against Moses and Aaron because there was no longer any bread (Ex. 16:1-3). YAHWEH told Moses that He would rain bread from heaven for them (v. 4). Israel was to gather a certain rate every day (v. 4, again).

The children of Israel would go out and gather the manna every day. Some gathered more, some less, but it was meted out (measured) with an omer (v.v. 6-18) so that everyone had the proper amount.

The "omer" of manna sustained Israel throughout their trek in the wilderness. This "omer" of manna was called "bread from heaven" (v.4). It was a type of YAHshua, the true bread from heaven. YAHshua said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of Elohim is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world....For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me....The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven....I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world," Jn. 6:32-33, 41, 48-51.

YAHshua is the omer of true bread from heaven Who sustains His people in their trek throughout this life’s wilderness just as the manna sustained Israel throughout their wilderness trek.

The grain that was associated with the sheaf (omer) of firstfruits was barley. It was usually sown in autumn following the "early rains." In Palestine barley ripened a month earlier than wheat. It was usually harvested in March or April. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.) This time period is also associated with the Passover and days of Unleavened Bread. The sheaf (omer) of firstfruits was offered during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Since Barley was the first grain harvested each year in Palestine; the masses looked forward to the beginning of its harvest with great anticipation. But barley doesn’t have a high content of gluten which is necessary for porous bread. Therefore, barley was a staple of the poor and animals.

Immediately after YAHshua’s birth he was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger, which is a crib for feeding livestock. YAHshua’s followers are His sheep. He is their food, their bread from heaven. Isn’t it interesting that He was born in Bethlehem which, in the Hebrew, means "house of bread!"

Forty days after His birth His parents brought Him to the temple as written in YAHWEH’S law, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to YAHWEH." (Lk. 2:22-23).

The sacrifice offered by YAHshua’s parents reveal their penury for they offered "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Lk. 2:24). YAHWEH’S law stated, "And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Who shall offer it before YAHWEH, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles (dove), or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean," Lev. 12:6-8. YAHshua’s parents didn’t have the means to provide a lamb and offered the sacrifice of the poor.

YAHshua came to preach the evangel to the poor, "The Spirit of YAHWEH is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the evangel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of YAHWEH. This is taken from Isa. 61:1-2 where the word "poor" is translated as "meek." Meek is translated from the Hebrew word "anayv" which also means: depressed (fig.) in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, espec. saintly). The idea of the word is: the oppressed, humble, meek, poor, afflicted, needy, etc.

James says that YAHWEH has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom (2:5).

The sheaf (omer) of firstfruits consisting of the barley, the food for the poor and animals, is a type of YAHshua Who is the food for the poor of this world and the sheep of His pasture (His people as animals).

The Hebrew word for barley is "se’or." It comes from the primitive root word "sa’ar." Another Hebrew word stemming from "sa’ar" is "se’ir." Among other things, "se’ir" means goat.

The high priest was to take two kids of the goats (se’ir [-im]) on the Day of Atonement for Israel’s sins (Lev. 16:5, 7-10, 15-22). The relationship between the words barley (se’or) and goat (se’ir) reveal their association as an atonement offering and their type in representing YAHshua.

The blood of the goat (se’ir) of the sin offering was used to atone for the people, holy place, and the altar.

The live goat (se’ir) was let go alive into the wilderness, bearing the sins of the people on his head to a place not inhabited (where nothing else lives). This goat (se’ir) was called the "azazel." "Se’ir" also means; satyr, faun, devil. Azazel comes from two Hebrew words "azaz" and "azal." "Azaz" means: to be stout, strong, harden, impudent, prevail, etc. "Azal" means: to go away, disappear, fail, gad about, go to and fro, be gone, spent, etc.

The kids of the goats were chosen while they were yet young, tender, gentle and innocent. The goat of the sin offering for YAHWEH was a type of YAHshua under these conditions and attitudes.

The azazel was spared, kept alive, and sent into the wilderness to grow strong, stout, hardened, and impudent. It was to be allowed to gad about, go to and fro. Such is the statement Satan made to YAHWEH in Job 1:7 and 2:2. He was going to and fro, walking up and down (gadding about) in the earth.

The azazel represents Satan who is stout, strong, hardened, and impudent. His ways prevail today as he gads about, going to and fro, stirring up strife and contention in the earth. He was the serpent who deceived the woman in the garden of Eden, bringing pain, suffering and death upon mankind. He is revealed in the book of Revelation as a very evil, angry, impudent and unrepentant being. He will eventually fail, however, and disappear, to be seen no more (Rev. 20:1-3, 10).

YAHshua is the goat (se’ir) of the sin offering through Whom we have received the atonement, "And not only so, but we also joy in YAHWEH through our Master YAHshua Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement," Ro. 5:11.

But what does barley (se’or) have to do with the atonement? The book of Leviticus says, "And if a man shall sanctify unto YAHWEH some part of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver," Lev. 27:16.

An homer of barley was estimated at fifty shekels of silver. An ephah, which is a tenth of an homer, would be estimated at 5 shekels while the omer, a tenth of the epahah would be estimated at .5 (1/2) shekel of silver.

This half shekel was important for we read, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto YAHWEH, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: is twenty gerahs: an half shekel shall be the offering of YAHWEH. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto YAHWEH. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto YAHWEH, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before YAHWEH, to make an atonement for your souls. Notice that this atonement money was for a memorial, similar to the Passover memorial.

The omer of barley, the omer of firstfruits, was estimated at 1/2 (half) a shekel of silver, the atonement money required for the children of Israel. Thus, we can see the relationship between the barley (se’or from sa’ar) and the goat (se’ir from sa’ar). They both carry the role of atonement in relationship to the Sovereign YAHshua.

The sheaf (omer) was called the omer (sheaf) of firstfruits (Lev. 23:10). The Hebrew terminology is "omer re’shiyth." The word "firstfruits" is translated from the Hebrew word "re’shiyth" (tyviare). Re’shiyth is more frequently translated as "beginning" than "firstfruits." For example, we read, "In the beginning..." in Gen. 1:1. The Hebrew word is "be-re’shiyth" ("tyviareB."). In this case, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, "beit" (B), is added to re’shiyth to give the idea that we get in the English, to wit: "In the."

The Psalmist says, "The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning (re’shiyth) of wisdom...," 111:10. In Proverbs 1:7 we read, "The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning (re’shiyth) of knowledge..."

From this we learn that the "omer of firstfruits" could be rendered the "omer of beginnings," for the omer that was offered was the very first omer that began the harvest season.

This omer typified YAHshua as the beginning. The apostle John wrote, "In the beginning (the Hebrew word would be re’shiyth) was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. The same was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth," Jn. 1:1-3, 14.

The book of Hebrews says, "Elohim, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of Elohim worship Him. And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O Elohim, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore Elohim, even Thy Elohim, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. And, Thou, Master, in the beginning (tyviareB) hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment...," 1:1-11.

The apostle Paul writes, "Paul, an apostle of YAHshua Messiah by the will of YAHWEH, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Messiah which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from YAHWEH our Father and the Master YAHshua Messiah. We give thanks to Elohim and the Father of our Master YAHshua Messiah, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Messiah YAHshua, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of Elohim in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Messiah; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Master unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the assembly: Who is the beginning, (tyviare) the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence," Eph. 1:1-18.

YAHWEH does not change (Mal. 3:6). He has always begun all things in YAHshua as Paul writes, "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of YAHWEH given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Messiah; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning (tyviare) of the world hath been hid in Elohim, Who created all things by YAHshua the Messiah: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the assembly the manifold wisdom of Elohim, According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Messiah YAHshua our Master; In Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Master YAHshua Messiah, Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named," Eph. 3:7-15.

YAHWEH declares the end from the beginning, "Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am Elohim, and there is none else; I am Elohim, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning (tyviare), and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure," Isa. 46:8-10.

"I have declared the former things from the beginning (tyviare); and they went forth out of My mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning (tyviare) declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them," Isa. 48:3-5.

YAHshua is the beginning (tyviare) of all YAHWEH’S creation, "And unto the angel of the assembly of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amein, the faithful and true witness, the beginning (tyviareB) of the creation of Elohim," Rev. 3:14.

The omer of beginnings (sheaf of firstfruits) was a type of YAHshua through Whom the great spiritual harvest was begun. YAHshua is the true omer re’shiyth (omer of firstfruits, omer of beginnings).

The omer was to be waved on the morrow after the Sabbath (Lev. 23:11). With the waving of the omer of beginnings, they were to begin counting. Seven Sabbaths had to be complete (49 days). On the morrow after the seventh Sabbath (the fiftieth day), a new wave offering was to be presented before YAHWEH (v.v. 15-17). This day was called the Feast of Harvests, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks and Pentecost.

There has been controversy as to when this count began. Some say the day after the first high day of Unleavened Bread. Others say the first day of the week following the Sabbath that occurs during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

The Jewish people who follow the method of the Pharisees, observe the day after the first high day. This causes Pentecost to fall on Sivan 6, which may occur on any given day of the week. Those who use the second method will always observe Pentecost on the first day of the week, which would be the morrow after the seventh Sabbath (Lev. 23:16) as well as the beginning of the week.

Those who follow the Pharasaical method are not following Scripture closely. The majority of Pharisees rejected and denied YAHshua as the Messiah. Those who did receive him had to follow Paul’s example counting those things loss (dung) in order to win Messiah, "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Master. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship YAHWEH in the spirit, and rejoice in Messiah YAHshua, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Messiah. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah YAHshua my Master: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win the Messiah," Phil. 3:1-8.

Paul wrote that when Moses is read, a vail is upon the Israelites heart. The only way to remove the vail is through YAHshua, "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Master (YAHshua), the vail shall be taken away," 2 Cor. 3:15-16.

YAHshua was raised to be accepted as the wave sheaf on the morrow after the regular Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Our count must begin with that day.

Notice the account in John 20:1, "The first day of the week cometh Miriam Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." This Scripture should read "And on the first of the Sabbaths" (plural), for the Greek word is Sabbaton. It is rendered as such in the Greek Interlinear Bible.

E. W. Bullinger’s Companion Bible makes this comment regarding John 20:1, "The first day of the week=On the first (day) of the Sabbaths (pl.). Te mia ton sabbaton. The word "day" is rightly supplied, as mia is feminine, and so must agee with a feminine noun understood, while sabbaton is neuter. Luke 24. 1 has the same. Matthew reads, "towards dawn on the first (day) of the Sabbaths", and Mark (16.2), "very early on the first (day) of the Sabbaths". The expression is not a Hebraism, and "Sabbaths" should not be rendered "week", as in A.V. and R.V. A reference to Lev. 23. 15-17 shows that this "first day" is the first of the days for reckoning the seven Sabbaths to Pentecost. On this day, therefore, the L-rd became the firstfruits (vv. 10, 11) of G-d’s resurrection harvest (1 Cor. 15. 23)."

Fifty is a very significant number in YAHWEH’S spiritual plan. Fifty is the number of freedom, liberty, jubilee.

Fifty days after the acceptance of YAHshua as the "omer of beginnings (sheaf of firstfruits)", the Holy Spirit was given. (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you," Jn. 16:12-15. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning," Jn. 15:26-27. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you," Jn.14-15-17.

The Holy Spirit, being the Spirit of truth, is also the Spirit of liberty or freedom, for the truth sets us free, "Then said YAHshua to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," Jn. 8:31-32.

As we have seen, YAHshua came to proclaim deliverance and liberty (Lk. 4:18-19). YAHshua is the omer of fifty, the omer of truth, deliverance, liberty, and freedom.

On the fiftieth day two wave loaves were to be brought out of their habitations, of two tenth deals (ephah), baked with leaven. This was a new meat offering. They were fristfruits unto YAHWEH. While the word "firstfruits in the "sheaf of firstfruits" is tyviare (v. 10), the word "firstfruits" used here is translated from a different Hebrew word. It is "bikuwr" or "bakar." This will be covered in another article. The essential thing here is that one loaf has become two, representing increase.

YAHshua is YAHWEH’S Word (Jn. 1:1-3, 14). By the Word of YAHWEH were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath (spirit) of His mouth (Psa. 33:6). He sends forth His Spirit and they are created (Psa. 104:30, first part).

The Hebrew word for "create [-ed]" is "bara." Bara means: to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes), dispatch, do, make (fat). YAHWEH sends forth (dispatches) His Word, His Spirit, His Son, YAHshua. He begins things which grow (make [fat]) and produce (do) fruit.

When we repent and are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Spirit we receive is an earnest, "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Messiah, and hath anointed us, is Elohim; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts...Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is Elohim, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit," 2 Cor. 1:21-22, 5:5. This earnest of the Spirit is only a small portion, like a seed. The seed germinates in us and we are to grow, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby," 1 Pet. 2:2. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Master and Saviour YAHshua Messiah. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amein," 2 Pet. 3:18. All of this begins with the omer re’shiyth, the omer of beginnings, the omer (sheaf) of firstfruits, YAHshua the Messiah.

If we return to Psalm 33 we read, "For the Word (dabar) of YAHWEH is right (upright, straight), and all His works are done in truth...By the Word (dabar) of YAHWEH were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth...For He spake (omer) and it was done (became); He commanded, and it stood fast," (v.v. 4, 6, 9).

The word "spake" is translated from another Hebrew word which is also "omer." The word "omer" in Lev. 23 is (rm,[o). The word "omer" in Psa. 33 is (rm;a'). The only difference between the two is the the first letter in each. Omer in Lev. 23 begins with the Hebrew letter ayin ([), while in Psa. 33 it begins with the Hebrew letter (a). Study of the Scriptures reveals that both words apply to YAHshua Who is the omer (rm,[) re’shiyth, and the omer (rm;a') relating to YAHWEH’S Word (dabar).

Truly, when we study the Scriptures as to how they relate to and speak of YAHshua, many wondrous things are revealed. YAHshua is the "Omer Re’shiyth" of the New Testament Assembly. He is our "True Bread from Heaven," our "Atonement," our "Firstfruits," our "Beginning," our "Deliverer," our "Truth" that sets us free. May YAHWEH help each of us to "grow" in Him.

BACK TO PAGE ONE

COUNTING TO PENTECOST

Anciently, the countdown to Pentecost began with the waving of the sheaf of firstfruits, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, 10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it," Lev. 23:9-11.

It is our understanding that the waving of this sheaf of firstfruits took place during the feast of unleavened bread, however, such a command is not given here nor does it occur in the four other places of Scripture where reference to this feast is made. It is commonly acknowledged by the Jewish people that the waving of the sheaf of firstfruits occurred during the days of unleavened bread. Also, our articles entitled "The Wave Sheaf Offering" by Elder Dave Ganton and "The Parable of the Sheaf of Firstfruits" both acknowledge that YAHshua ascended before YAHWEH to be accepted as the "Firstborn from the dead," as well as the "wave sheaf" did occur during this period of time (the days of unleavened bread).

But let’s take notice of the Hebrew terminology which takes place in verse 11, "And he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it." Most of modern day Judaism as well as an increasing number of YAHWEH’S people are taking this to mean that the sheaf was waved on the morrow after the first day of unleavened bread which is an annual high day, "And on the fifteenth day of the same month (Abib) is the feast of unleavened bread unto YAHWEH: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein," Lev. 23:6-7.

However, the Hebrew terminology utilized for "the sabbath" is "ha shabbat" (tbvh) which always refers to the weekly seventh day sabbath. All of the annual holy days are termed as "sabbatons" (Nwtbv/rest days), but never called "ha shabbat." Only one other annual high day is given the term "shabbat" (tbv) and that is the day of atonement. But it is never called "ha shabbat" (tbvh) as is the seventh day sabbath.

In verse 15 we read, "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath (tbvh) from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete."

The Hebrew word for "complete" is tamiym (~ymt). This is the very same word utilized in verse 12 in reference to the lamb that was to be offered. The lamb was to be "without blemish" (tamiym ~ymt). Tamiym (~ymt) is defined as, from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth, and is generally translated as, without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole.

The lamb was to be without blemish, without spot, undefiled, perfect, etc. The week would carry the same distinction. It had to be complete, without blemish, without spot, undefiled, perfect, etc. A perfect, complete, blemish free week is a week that begins with day one and ends with day seven (the Sabbath/tbvh). Just any seven days never make a perfect week. A count that begins on the 3^rd day of one week ending on the 2^nd day of the following week may comprise seven perfect days, but is not a perfect week, etc.

YAHWEH describes what a perfect week is for us in Gen. 1:1-31, 2:1-3, Ex. 20:8-11, Ex. 16:26, Ex. 31:14-15, Ex. 34:21, Lev. 23:3, etc.

Again, "ha shabbat" is the Hebrew terminology utilized here in verse 15, but interestingly, the Hebrew terminology for "sabbaths" is "twtbv" (shabbat-owt) which is a plural form of "shabbat". The Hebrew word that is generally translated as "week" is "shabuwa" ([wbv). It is #7620 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is defined as, shabuwa or shabuah {shaw-boo'-ah}; also (feminine) shbu.ah {sheb-oo-aw'}; properly, passive participle of 7650 as a denominative of 7651; literal, sevened, i.e. a week (specifically, of years).

Notice the difference between "sabbaths" (twtbv) and "weeks" (t[bv). Twtbv (shabbat-owt) is simply plural of Sabbath (). Yes, the count is seven weeks (t[bv), but let’s notice Ex. 34:22 which states, "And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end." "Weeks" is translated from the Hebrew word "t[bv" (shabuwat). Look at the difference between "twtbv" (sabbaths) and "t[bv" (weeks).

Leviticus 23:15 is proclaiming that seven perfect sabbaths must be counted.

Leviticus 23 continues in verse 16 "Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto YAHWEH."

Again, the "morrow after the seventh Sabbath" is perfectly understood when looking into the Hebrew for the Hebrew word for "Sabbath" is "ha shabbat" (tbvh), not "shabuwa" ([wbv/week). It isn’t saying "the morrow after the seventh week," but "the morrow after the seventh sabbath."

With this information in mind, let’s explore the other scriptures which refer to this most important feast day. Ex. 23:15, "Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field."

Notice that no instructions are given to indicate the count. As a matter of fact, neither of the terms "sabbaths" nor "weeks" occur here.

Ex. 34:22, "And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end."

The Hebrew term utilized for "weeks" here is "t[bv" (shabuwat). However, no specific count is given and we must go to Lev. 23 in order to learn exactly what count is utilized and also for the proper definition as to what "weeks" is.

Num. 28:26, "Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto YAHWEH, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27 But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto YAHWEH; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; 28 And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29 A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31 Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings."

Again, the term utilized for "weeks" is "t[bv" (shabuwat). However, no specific count is given and we must go to Lev. 23 in order to learn exactly what count is utilized and also for the proper definition as to what "weeks" is.

Dt. 16:10, "And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto YAHWEH thy Elohim with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto YAHWEH thy Elohim, according as YAHWEH thy Elohim hath blessed thee: 11 And thou shalt rejoice before YAHWEH thy Elohim, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which YAHWEH thy Elohim hath chosen to place his name there. 12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes. 13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: 14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. 15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto YAHWEH thy Elohim in the place which YAHWEH shall choose: because YAHWEH thy Elohim shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. 16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before YAHWEH thy Elohim in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before YAHWEH empty: 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of YAHWEH thy Elohim which he hath given thee.

Finally, in both cases where the word "weeks" appear, the same word is utilized as in the previous Scriptures discussed. The same situation applies. We must go to the book of Leviticus and allow it to define to us what this term "weeks" is.

Division and confusion takes place when men seek to interpret these things for themselves. But if we allow YAHWEH’S word, from the inspired language (Hebrew) dictate to us, then we will not go astray. The confusion and division will cease.

We know that YAHshua died on a Wednesday afternoon and was placed in the grave just before the sun had set and darkness prevailed. He was to be in the grave for a period of three days and three nights. This means that He was resurrected at the period of time between the Sabbath (the day ends just after sunset) and first day of the week (the day begins when two or three stars appear).

YAHshua was already alive, resurrected from the grave just before the first day of the week began. He ascended into heaven to be received as the "sheaf of firstfruits" the "firstborn from the dead" on the first day of the week. As pointed out in our article entitled "The Parable of the Sheaf of Firstfruits," the word "firstfruits" is taken from the Hebrew word "re’shiyth" which is more generally translated as "beginning." With the offering of the "sheaf of firstfruits" the count to Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Harvest began. Seven perfect, blemish free (tamiym/~ymt) sabbaths/twtbv (which is also seven perfect, blemish free weeks/ t[bv) were counted until the morrow after the seventh sabbath (tbvh/the first day of the week). The Holy Spirit was poured on YAHshua’s disciples for the day of Pentecost had fully come (Acts 2).

YAHWEH brought about the perfect conditions at YAHshua’s death in order to perfectly and completely fulfill the scriptural commands.

The feast of weeks could also be correctly termed the feast of sabbaths, for that would be the meaning of the modern day term "shavout" or as we have termed it "shabuwat."

It is our prayer that this study has been presented in an easily understandable manner.

BACK TO PAGE ONE

Hits on this page since 5/16/04