Prophecy Summit NW 2016

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Counting the Omer

What is the Omer?

The "Omer" (literally, "sheaf") was grain from the first harvested barley that was brought to the Temple as a first fruits offering. The counting begins on the day after the Sabbath during Passover week when the first omer of barley was harvested and brought to the Temple.

When to count the Omer:

Leviticus 23:5-11 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is the LORD’s Passover. On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the LORD. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD seven days. In the seventh day is a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work.’” The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its the harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest: and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Leviticus 23:15,16  “‘You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be completed: even to the next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to the LORD.

The question is, does the count always begin on the 16^th of Nisan, the day after the 15^th, which is a Sabbath being the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread or does it always begin on the first day of the week after the 7^th day Sabbath of Passover week? If it always begins on Nisan 16 then Shavuot will always be on Sivan 6. If the feast of firstfruits always begins on the first day of the week, the day after the 7^th day Sabbath then there will never be a set date for firstfruits or Shavuot. Amazingly, nowhere in the Scriptures does it ever give a date for firstfruits or Shavuot suggesting that there never was a set date like there is for every other feast given in Scripture. From a Messianic point of view you can never get 3 days and 3 nights from 3pm on 14^th of Nisan to the morning of the 16^th of Nisan. Since the 14^th of Nisan moves during the days of the week over the years Messiah had to die in a year where the 14^th of Nisan had to fall on a Wednesday. This also is a direct connection to the original Exodus when Nisan 14 fell on a Wednesday. Therefore the counting of the Omer always begins on the first day of the week after Passover.

Why Count the Omer for 49 days?

God commanded it:

Leviticus 23:15,16 And you shall count to you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf (Omer) of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even to the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall you number fifty days;

The Torah commands that during this time each year we count 49 days or 7 weeks from the day after the Sabbath of Passover week. The 50^th day is the Feast of Shavuot, which means “weeks” from the counting of the 7 weeks. In Christianity is known as the Feast of Pentecost! The first Pentecost was actually celebrated every year for 1,500 years before the book of Acts. Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mt Sinai. To this day the Jewish people still keep the Feast of Pentecost every year.

The foremost reason to obey the LORD is that the count demonstrates our thrill for the impending occasion of receiving the Torah, God’s loving instruction. Just as a child often counts the days until the end of school or an upcoming family vacation, we count the days to show our excitement at again receiving the Torah. Counting in anticipation of an exciting event is quite understandable. Also it is not a countdown but a count up as we ascend the mountain of the LORD.

To better understand, we first need to answer a more basic question: Why did God wait 50 days after the Jews left Egypt before giving the Torah? Why didn't He simply give it to them in Egypt, or immediately after their departure?

The answer is that the Jews were not yet spiritually equipped to receive the Torah. For over 200 years, they had been living in an Egyptian society known to be the world center for immorality and vice.

The high-impact adventure of the Exodus ― 10 miraculous plagues and the splitting of the Red Sea ― launched the Jews into physical freedom. Yet a one-time experience, as powerful as it is, does not permanently change anyone's emotional attitude.

Spiritual growth, like climbing a ladder, must be one step at a time.  The growth that occurs during this time is akin to a marathon. We pace ourselves and seek to improve day by day until we reach the day that we again receive the Torah.

But life is not a race to beat the other guy; life is only a race to conquer your inner self. As we climb the ladder, it's more important in which direction we're headed rather than which rung we're on. Don't just count the Omer make the Omer count!

The Master's resurrection makes the counting of the Omer a season of special significance and joy. For his disciples, it is a time to remember the resurrected Yeshua. All of his post-resurrection appearances and ascension fell within the days of the Omer count. He ascended on the 40^th day of the counting of the Omer.

How to Count the Omer

The Omer is counted every evening after nightfall.

Before counting though, we stand and say the following blessing:

"Blessed are You LORD our God, King of the Universe who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is the ____ day of the Omer."

We add:

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your commandments and commanded us to be a light to Your nations and has given us Yeshua our Messiah, the light of the world.

Psalm 67 is also recited because it is composed of exactly 49 Hebrew words that correspond to the 49 days of the Omer count. The Psalm is seasonally appropriate because of its harvest motif. It is spiritually appropriate because it speaks clearly of God's salvation (Yeshua) being made known over all the earth.

Psalms 67:1-7 God be merciful to us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine on us; Selah. That your way may be known on earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for you shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. Selah. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

I also recommend reading over the time of the count from the following:

Read 8 verses a day from Ps 119, which is about David’s love for Torah.

Read one chapter from the Book of Ruth as it is about non Jews being grafted into Israel during the counting of the omer from the barley harvest to the wheat harvest.

Read one chapter a day from Exodus chapters 19-33 as this is about the great adventure during the counting of the omer.

Read one chapter from Ezekiel 1-4 and 35-39 as this is read on Shavuot.

Five Types of Sacrificial Offerings

English            Hebrew           Scripture
Burnt Offering             Olah                     Lev. 1:1-17; 6:8-13
Grain Offering             Minchah               Lev. 2:1-16; 6:14-23
Peace Offering            Shelamin              Lev. 3:1-17; 7:11-36
Sin Offering                Chatat                   Lev. 4:1-5:13; 6:24-7:7
Guilt Offering             Asham                   Lev. 5:14-6:7; 7:1-7

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Pharaoh's Challenges - Exodus 5:2

Hebrew vs. Greek Order of the Books of the Bible

Hebrew                                    Greek 
Torah                                                                Old Testament 
Genesis                                                             Genesis
Exodus                                                              Exodus
Leviticus                                                           Leviticus
Numbers                                                           Numbers
Deuteronomy                                                    Deuteronomy

Prophets                                                            Prophets & Writings
Joshua                                                               Joshua
Judges                                                               Judges
I & II Samuel                                                    Ruth
I & II Kings                                                      I & II Samuel
Isaiah                                                                I & II Kings
Jeremiah                                                           I & II Chronicles
Ezekiel                                                             Ezra
Hosea                                                               Nehemiah
Joel                                                                   Esther
Amos                                                                Job
Obadiah                                                            Psalms
Jonah                                                                Proverbs
Micah                                                               Ecclesiastes
Nahum                                                             Song of Songs
Habakkuk                                                        Isaiah
Zephaniah                                                       Jeremiah
Haggai                                                            Lamentations
Zechariah                                                        Ezekiel
Malachi                                                           Daniel
                                                                        Hosea
Writings                                                          Joel
Psalms                                                            Amos
Proverbs                                                         Obadiah
Job                                                                  Jonah
Song of Songs                                                Micah
Ruth                                                               Nahum
Lamentations                                                 Habakkuk
Ecclesiastes                                                   Zephaniah
Esther                                                            Haggai
Daniel                                                           Zechariah
Ezra                                                              Malachi
Nehemiah
I & II Chronicles

Happy Hanukkah!

Amidah - For Peace

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR PEACE: Grant peace, welfare, blessing, grace, lovingkindness and mercy to us and to all Israel Your people. Bless us, Our Father, one and all, with the light of Your countenance; for by the light of Your countenance You have given us, Oh Lord our God, a Torah of life, lovingkindness and salvation, blessing, mercy, life and peace. May it please You to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace. 


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In the books of Acts we find Peter and John entering the Temple at the hour of the prayer referring to saying the Amidah.It is literally called the hour of the prayer in the literal translations. Here we have a man, who according the Scriptures was:

Acts 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

Do You realize that meant Yeshua probably walked past him a minimum of 100 times in the temple and never healed him! This happened after Yeshua died at around 33 years of age and this man who was only 7 years older than Yeshua had been lame from his birth.

Acts 3:1-2 Now Peter and John wet up together into the temple at the hour of the prayer, after being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Every Jew would love to be standing during the standing prayer. So here, we have the Holy Spirit at the specific time of the Amidah strengthening this man's ankles!

Acts 3:6-9 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have - give I thee: In the name of Yeshua HaMashiach of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

God was waiting for all to be gathered in the Temple so at the very moment of the Amidah, while all Israel was praising God, to heal this man. And I wouldn't be surprised if it happened at the very moment the part of the prayer for healing was being said, that the man started whooping and hollering and giving God the glory!! Look at me! I'm standing during the Standing Prayer!!! God does heal!!! 

For 40 years he had heard or said this prayer, always wondering if it was true! Do You know this was the very prayer they were saying right before the Spirit fell at Pentecost! It was the 3rd hour, the time of the morning prayers! Remember this was written hundreds of years before Messiah, so go read again the section called the God of Nature and remember - Yeshua had also just risen from the dead!!

Amidah - Thanksgiving for God's Unfailing Mercies

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

THANKSGIVING FOR GOD'S UNFAILING MERCIES: We give thanks to You that You are the Lord our God and the God of our fathers forever and ever. Through every Generation, You have been the rock of our lives, the shield of our salvation. We will give You thanks and declare Your praise for our lives that are committed into Your hands, for our souls that are entrusted to You, for Your miracles with us, and for Your wonders and Your benefits that are with us at all times, evening, morning and noon. Oh Beneficent one, Your mercies never fail; Oh merciful one, Your loving kindnesses never cease. We have always put our hope in You. For all these acts may Your name be blessed and exalted continually, Our King, forever and ever. Let every living thing give thanks to You and praise Your name in truth, Oh God, our salvation and our help. (Selah) Blessed are You, Oh Lord, whose Name is the Beneficent One, and to whom it is fitting to give thanks. 

Amidah - For Restoration of Temple Service

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR RESTORATION OF TEMPLE SERVICE: Be pleased, Oh Lord our God, with Your people Israel and with their prayers. Restore the service to the inner sanctuary of Your Temple, and receive in love and with favor both the fire-offerings of Israel and their prayers. May the worship of Your people Israel always be acceptable to You. And let our eyes behold Your return in mercy to Zion. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who restores His divine presence to Zion.

Amidah - For the Answering of Prayer

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR THE ANSWERING OF PRAYER: Hear our voice, Oh Lord our God; spare us and have pity on us. Accept our prayer in mercy and with favor, for You are a God who hears prayers and supplications. Our King, do not turn us away from Your presence empty-handed, for You hear the prayers of Your people Israel with compassion. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who hears prayer.

Amidah - For the Messianic King

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR THE MESSIANIC KING: Speedily cause the offspring of Your servant David to flourish, and let Him be exalted by Your saving power, for we wait all day long for Your salvation. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who causes salvation to flourish. 

Amidah - For the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR THE REBUILDING OF JERUSALEM: Return in mercy to Jerusalem Your city, and dwell in it as You have promised. Rebuild it soon in our day as an eternal structure, and quickly set up in it the throne of David. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who rebuilds Jerusalem.

Amidah - For the Righteous and Proselytes

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR THE RIGHTEOUS AND PROSELYTES: May Your compassion be stirred, Oh Lord our God, towards the righteous, the pious, the elders of Your people the house of Israel, the remnant of their scholars, towards proselytes, and towards us also. Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in Your name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may never be put to shame, for we have put our trust in You. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the support and stay of the righteous.

Amidah - For the Righteous Reign of God

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR THE RIGHTEOUS REIGN OF GOD: Restore our judges as in former times, and our counselors as at the beginning; and remove from us sorrow and sighing. Reign over us, You alone, Oh Lord, with loving kindness and compassion, and clear us in judgment. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the King who loves righteousness and justice.

Amidah - For Gathering of Exiles

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR GATHERING OF EXILES: Sound the great shofar (trumpet) for our freedom, raise the ensign to gather our exiles, and gather us from the four corners of the earth. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who gathers the dispersed of his people Israel. 

Amidah - For Deliverance from Want

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR DELIVERANCE FROM WANT: Bless this year for us, Oh Lord our God, together with all the varieties of its produce, for our welfare. Bestow dew and rain for a blessing upon the face of the earth. Oh satisfy us with Your goodness, and bless our year like the best of years. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who blesses the years.

Amidah - For Healing

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR HEALING: Heal us, Oh Lord, and we will be healed; save us and we will be saved. For You are our praise. Oh grant a perfect healing to all our ailments, for You, Almighty King, are a faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the healer of the sick of His people Israel.

Amidah - For Deliverance from Affliction

The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm. 

FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION: Look upon our affliction and plead our cause, and redeem us speedily for Your Name's sake, for You are a mighty redeemer. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the Redeemer of Israel.