The Resurrection - From Disappointment to Faith

May 1, 2016

Video Teaching

This teaching shows the Journey of the Disciples from the disappointment of the death of Yahshua to the rise of their faith that brought them to Shavuot [Pen...

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The Resurrection- From Disappointment to Faith

Introduction: Since we are on this powerful journey towards Shavuot (Pentecost) it is vital that we reflect how we came here and how the death & resurrection of Yahshua changed everything. In the beginning when we read the first book of the Scriptures we see that Yahweh the Elohim of all Creation made Adam & Chavah (Eve) in his image to have fellowship with him and to have dominion over the Eretz (the Earth). When Man sinned that fellowship was broken, man was sent from YHWH’s presence and the World came under the power of Ha Satan & sin. The purpose of the coming of Yahshua ha Machiach (The Messiah) therefore was to restore this broken relationship. We will endeavour today to see how he aids Mankind in that journey to Shavuot or Sinai the place where the Torah his divine instructions on righteous living is given to each of us.

The Foreknowledge of YHWH:

The story of the defeat of Ha Satan is a Glorious story hatched in eternity past even before the Heavens & Earth existed! After the fall of Man, Ha Satan had dominion over the Earth afflicting man with every vile curse that his evil mind could conceive. His true desire was to transform man into his offspring which we saw through the rise of the Nephilim which he used to defeat the plan of Elohim from ever taking shape. We see his plan almost succeeding in the days of Noach (Noah) when the world was so full of violence that Elohim destroyed all but Noach (Noah), his family & the animals in the Ark but finally the Son of Elohim was manifested upon the Earth. He came in the form of the pre-fallen Adam and scripture calls him the second Adam. We must understand that he was born in the form of the first Adam without sin but with the same potential as Adam otherwise Ha Satan could never temp him. The good News is that Yahshua unlike Adam learned obedience to his Father according to:

Ibrim (Hebrews) 5:7-9who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His reverent fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Because of his Obedience all mankind has the hope of redemption through faith in his name.

From Failure to Strength:

When we read about the Talmidim (the Disciples) we discover that though their intentions were good since they did believe in Yahshua that he was the Promised one & though they saw all his miracles they could not walk in that level of faith that would see them advance to fulfil their true calling. We read some great words again from Kepha (Peter) who was a standout Disciple the one that showed at times great faith and at the time that Yahshua was about to face his greatest test he says this:

MatithYahu (Matthew) 26:33-35 Kepha (Peter) answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

34 Yahshua said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the Watcher blows the Shofar (the Rooster crows), you will deny Me three times.”

Note: There was a watcher who would blow the Shofar from the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) during the Feasts. (Yechezqel-Ezekiel 33:6, Matt 27:65) Hidden Truths Hebraic Scrolls NT.

35 Kepha (Peter) said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

Kepha (Peter) was responding to the words of Yahshua who understood the weakness of man when he said to all his chosen ones:

MattithYahu (Matthew) 26:31 Then Yahshua said to them, “all of you shall stumble in me this night for it has been written, I shall strike the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.” (Quote from Zecharyah (Zechariah) 13:7)

We see that Yisrael too often failed in being true to the Covenant just like when they had declared in:

Shemoth (Exodus) 24:7 All that Yahweh has said we will do & hear.

The story that follows these words sees the Seventy Elders of Yisrael, Mosheh (Moses), Aharon, Nadab & Abinu ascending Mount Sinai:

Shemoth (Exodus) 24:10-11 and they saw the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl and under His feet like a paved work of sapphire stone and like the heavens for brightness. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand

against the chiefs of the children of Yisra’ĕl! And they saw Elohim and they ate and drank.

Considering all that the Yisraelites had experienced how totally strange it is that in Chapter 32 of Shemoth (Exodus) that they desert the words of Yahweh spoken through Mosheh and made an Idol to worship. What this shows is that Man in his own strength is unable to resist his own “Yetzar Ha Ra” or evil inclination.

We see the same happening with the Talmidim (the Disciples) so surely we too have the same issue if we rely on our own strength as we desire to increase in the Nature of Yahweh as we journey on our way to Shavuot (Pentecost) especially as we desire to use the 49 steps of refinement during what is known as “Counting the Omer.”

If these disciples who had been with Yahshua could not stand the test then what hope could there be for the rest of mankind! It is to the glorious promises as found in Scripture that we must turn, to encourage us.

Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Even though seeing the Resurrected Master was the most powerful experience that the Talmidim (Disciples) could have as we saw during the Passover week & beyond it was not sufficient for them to be able to fulfil what Yahshua was calling them to do. Yisrael had seen the hand of YHWH do many mighty signs and even experience his presence but when it came down to it they very quickly fell prey to their own sinful ways. In the above verse we read that Yahshua is able to aid those who are so prone to failure & need his strength so that is what we will look at:

Every believer has a promise from the Master who is able to empower us to be all that the disciples would become for Yahshua tells them in:

John 14:14-16 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

The Good News is that Yahshua promised to send us another helper whom we know as the RUACH Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit:

John 16: 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

What joy & comfort it is for us to know that Yahshua knew our weakened state & has given us such a blessed promise that the RUACH Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) is given to all believers that we can be strong & establish the Kingdom of Elohim on this Earth not in our strength but in His.

The RUACH Ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit):

The first humbling truth that we need to understand & that Kepha (Peter) also needed to understand is that every part of the believer’s life is a work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit). We can do nothing in our own strength and we will now see how all credit goes to the mighty working of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) who is the Spirit of Machiach (Messiah) therefore when Yahshua promised to never leave us nor forsake us he was referring to the presence of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit) whom all believers possess & whom remains with us.

However ever at the resurrection the Talmidim (Disciples) were still in hiding fearing for their lives but at the Appearance of Yahshua not only did they receive revelation but as we will read something drastically changed.

To understand what happened we need to address the fact that before the Death & Resurrection of Yahshua the RUACH could not dwell with man but upon Yahshua’s perfect sacrifice Man now had Atonement for sin that the RUACH (Spirit) could dwell with man who was cleansed by the blood of the perfect Lamb of Elohim:

If this be the case then what are the Workings of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit):

The first Work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit):

Many believers have been taught that the Holy Spirit was not given until Shavuot (Pentecost) but is this strictly the truth?

To understand the truth of the empowerment of the RUACH (Spirit) we need to turn to Scripture which tells something powerful:

Yochanan (John) 20: 21-22 So Yahshua said to them again, “Shalom (Peace) to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the RUACH Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit).

This verse speaks of the time when the Disciples are cringing behind locked doors for fear of death from the religious leaders not living in faith but absolute doubt & unbelief. Suddenly Yahshua appears to them & assures them that what the women had said was true & he rebukes them for their unbelief. This verse shows us something that we all need to understand. The first Work of the Holy Spirit is to bring faith alive in each of us, so Yahshua must breathe his RUACH (Spirit) into our life that we too can believe. It is also vital to remember that these same disciples after receiving the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) at the resurrection made no attempt to tell anyone about the wondrous Besorah (the Good News) of Salvation but simple kept it to themselves & continued in fellowship, study & prayer.

The First Work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit):

He convicts the World of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment: (Yochanan 16:8)
He leads the believer into all Truth.
He converts the Soul.
He Sanctifies the Believer.
He develops Character by building the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
He brings Assurance.
He causes the Word of Yahweh to be understood.
He imparts the Divine Nature.
He causes a hunger for the presence of Yahweh.
He draws us to prayer.
He strengthens us to believe.

Just as we have discovered through the Counting of the Omer that the journey to Sinai involves development of Character through Sanctification, Purity & Obedience none of which can be truly achieved without the work of the RUACH (the Spirit) unless it becomes legalistic or Ritualistic. It can only become Echad or one with YHWH by the work of the RUACH ha Kodesh the very Spirit of YHWH which the Disciples needed for them to attain spiritual knowledge and wisdom based on love the underlying heart of the Father.

With this understanding I love the way the following text brings that across in their wordings of the following:

2 KephAH (Peter) 1:5 Yes and for this very reason He adds to you all diligence, that in your faith He supplies moral excellence and through moral excellence, He supplies knowledge,

6 and through knowledge, He supplies self-control and through self-control persistence and through persistence He supplies the very nature of Almighty Loving YAH (God). 7 and through his nature, He supplies brotherly compassion and through brotherly compassion, He supplies YAH’s Love. (The King’s Covenant Version)

Most other versions have it like this:

2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, do your utmost to add to your faith virtue, tovirtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance reverence, 7 to reverence brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

I suggest that it is a partnership between the RUACH Ha Kodesh & us to attain to the Character of Machiach (Messiah). This Unity with the RUACH is wonderfully expressed by Shaul (Paul) in the Following & shows that by being in Echad we become true children of Elohim:

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

The Road to Understanding:

Right at this moment we are on that road that the Talmidim were on. They had begun on the road facing failure and death but with the appearances of Yahshua after his Resurrection their Spirits had been revived and now he was instructing them that it was time for them to reflect. This means they had to repent of their unbelief and begin to engross themselves in the true knowledge of the Torah (Law), The Nevim (Prophets) and the Ketuvim (Writings)being the complete works of the Tankh (the Old Testament) with new eyes since there was no Brit Chadashah (New Testament) . They now understood in their own power they would fail but now through the indwelling RUACH their eyes would be opened. This however was not just a journey of knowledge but it was a journey of Character development and of removal of the Leaven of sin that lives in us. Again this must be seen not as committing great Sin but simply the sin of not allowing Yahweh to rule in all areas of life. We see that beautifully revealed in the words of the Master when he was praying before going out tothe Garden called Gethsemane where he would be tested after which his Talmidim (Disciples would be scattered:

Yochanan (John) 17:20- 23 And I do not pray for these alone, but also for those believing in Me through their word, 21 so that they all might be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, so that they too might be one in Us, so that the world might believe that You have sent Me. 22 “And the esteem which You gave Me I have given them, so that they might be one as We are one, 23 “I in them, and You in Me, so that they might be perfected into one, so that the world knows that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Conclusion:

This Journey that the Yahudim (Jews) refer to as “Sefirat Ha Omer” the Counting of the Sheaves for us should be far more than just studying ways to improve our outward display of personality which if that is all it achieves falls short of the purpose that Yahweh has for us. It should however be a drawing near to Yahweh in order to let him begin his work through the RUACH of pruning casting out the old Leaven and receiving the New Leaven of Heaven which relates to being in “Echad” in unity firstly with each other and also with Yahweh.

That was the prayer that Yahshua brought before his Heavenly Father and that should be the aim for all of us. When we begin to be in unity and allow the RUACH to change our Hearts & Minds then we will be prepared, Purified & Sanctified to receive the next work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh which is to implant his Torah not on stone as it was at Sinai but more importantly to implant his Torah on our Hearts through the Power of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit).

Without a renewed Character we will never come to the fullness of what his Torah (Instructions) are meant to produce. If his Torah only accumulates knowledge it will never be in Yahshua desires for us.

Yahshua’s desire is that our Unity will be a sign to the World that Yahweh Elohim of all creation has sent Yahshua. This is why he says the following at the Last Supper:

Yochanan (John) 13:34- 35 A renewed command I give to you, that you love one another, as I

have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this shall all know that you are

My taught ones, if you have love for one another.”

Amein.

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Matzah – the Journey Continues

April 24, 2016

Video Teaching

The Journey Continues from Passover to Shavuot [Pentecost]

Audio Teaching

Matzah – the Journey Continues

Slide 1

Introduction:

Since we have been gaining much knowledge of the Passover through the last couple of Studies & because we are in the Feast of Matzah (Chag HaMatzot) “The Feast of Unleavened Bread” I hope to expand on what we know so we can fully appreciate the significance of this Feast and the further related events such as “Sefirat HaOmer” or the Counting of the Sheaves which leads to the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot (Pentecost). Along with this significant time in the Hebrew Calendar I wish to observe what was happening with the Talmidim (Disciples) during this time as well.

Understanding the Significance of the Ten Plagues:

Often people look at all the various plagues and just come to the conclusion that YHWH was simply demonstrating his power over the forces of nature to cause Pharaoh to release the Children of Yisrael based on the reading as follows:

Slide 2

Shemoth (Exodus) 5:1 And afterwards Mosheh and Aharon went in and said to Pharaoh, “Thus

said YHWH Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, ‘Let My people go, so that they keep a festival to Me in the wilderness.’ ”

If we take a deeper look we will find something interesting though this is only seen through an understanding of the religious worship that existed in Mitsrayim (Egypt). What we do discover however is that the Mitsrites (Egyptians) had many Elohim with each attributed with different features relating to Nature so the ten plagues were particularly attributed by YHWH to totally discredit these false Elohim and to demonstrate that he YHWH alone is above all and has all power.

Slide 3

Therefore each Plague has a divine purpose to oppose a particular god or Gods as shown on the next slide:

Slide 4

The 10 Plagues- Yahweh verses the Elohim of Mitsrayim (Egypt)

We also discern from Scripture how YHWH clearly discriminated between the Mitsrites (Egyptians) and the Hebrews which can be seen throughout the first nine plagues until we reach the last plague, the plague of the death of the 1st born. Passover therefore remembers that the protection from this plague was only received by the blood of an unblemished lamb that was smeared on the lintels of the homes of those who were obedient.

This thereby teaches that the passing over of judgement for each of us is not dependent upon our righteousness but only by the humble acceptance that Yahshua’s blood atoned for each and every one of those who believe.

The Power of the Passover Lamb:

There was something uniquely powerful about the Passover Lamb. Firstly the blood on the Lintels of the door prevented the Angel of death from entering thus protecting all those within the house from facing the judgement that came upon all Mitsrayim (Egypt) but there was so much more.

We read in the following that the people left Mitsrayim (Egypt) with great blessing.

Slide 5

Tehillim (Psalm) 105:36-38 YHWH also smote all the firstborn in their land, the first of all their strength.

37 He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes.
38 Mitsrayim (Egypt) was glad when they departed, For the fear of them had fallen upon them.

The implication is that when the Yisraelites who were in Covenant with YHWH ate the Lamb the result was, that there were no sick or feeble among them and all the Yisraelites that left Mitsrayim (Egypt) were of such vigour that they suffered not at all from sickness or weakness even though they had been under such affliction.

The Passover Lamb representation is further expanded by the words of Yahshua in:

Slide 6

Yochanan (John) 6:53 Then Yahshua said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

The symbolism of the Lamb is so powerful. Just as the people of Yisrael were delivered from the Slavery of Mitsrayim (Egypt) and after eating of the Lamb were empowered with strength & health so too Yahshua who is the true Lamb says that unless the people eat his flesh & drink his blood they will have no life in them but he speaks here of not the life that Yisrael had because they did die but rather his life that would impart Everlasting life. This word sadly was too much for many of his Talmidim (Disciples) that they departed from him so Yahshua asks his twelve Talmidim if they also wished to leave but Kepha (Peter) puts it so well in:

Slide 7

Yochanan (John) 6:68

68 But Shimon Kepha (Simon Peter) answered Him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You possess the words of everlasting life. 69 Also we have believed and we know that You are the Machiach (the Messiah), the Son of the living Elohim.”

So often we hear that the deliverance from sin only requires the acceptance of the blood that was shed for us but what we find in the exodus story is quite different. We read an amazing statement of trust something that we often fail to see upon a casual reading:

Slide 8

Shemoth (Exodus) 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Mitsrayim (Egypt), for it was not leavened, since they were driven out of Mitsrayim and had not been able to delay, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

This verse tells us that they did not say “how will we go out into the Desert without provisions?” Instead they believed in supernatural provision & left. In the later years when Yisrael were not as faithful we see the contrast that YHWH is passionately remembering spoken through the Prophet:

Slide 9

YermeYahu (Jeremiah) 2:2 YHWH came to me saying “Go and you shall cry in the hearing of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), saying, ‘Thus said YHWH, “I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

The great truth revealed in this story is that when the Yisraelites were delivered they then began a Journey of Trust in their true Mighty One who would guide them to the place of his calling even to the land of promise but they would require faith & obedience. It is noted that YHWH their Elohim did not give them his Torah in Mitsrayim (Egypt) showing us that there must come a time of preparation and a Journey of faith through a wilderness to bring sanctification, before the people of YHWH could receive his Divine instructions they needed to develop the character of a free people through wilful obedience that would finally bring them to the Promised Land. Sadly a Journey of a few weeks took as much as 40 years before they once again came to the Boarder of the Promised land.

The Relevance of the Journey for us:

As we celebrate the Feast of Matsah (Unleavened Bread) it now becomes apparent that it is more than a remembrance of the Deliverance from Mitsrayim (Egypt) or even more than a remembrance of the sacrifice, shame & death of Yahshua the Lamb of Elohim that sets us free from the slavery of sin.

Rather it reminds us that after Deliverance, comes the Journey of faith & trust that leads us to the Torah of YHWH and hopefully to the Promised Land.

Slide 10

To further understand the concept of Leaven we need to know that Flour did not need to have Leaven added to it because it is known that Leaven is in the air so when water is added to flour it must be baked before the leavening point of 18 minutes.

How can we apply this principle to our life?

What it tells us is that Sin or Leaven is in the Atmosphere since we live in a World corrupted by sin. From the principle of Leaven we know that sin has a sin point as well, after which it becomes ingrained and begins to swell and permeate ones whole being.

If a thought or action is cut off before the sin point then the person remains unleavened thus fulfilling the Principle of purging the leaven.

So what is the problem with Leaven? It is a symbol of death & decay. The rising of the dough is only possible by means of the processes of decay & corruption. Therefore, were it not for the curse of death through the fall of Man there could be no leavened Bread. The sages identify leaven with the “Yetzer Hara” the evil inclination within.

When we purge the Leaven out of our homes we are practicing the process of removing corrupting influences from our lives. Basically it is an object lesson that we need to carry through to our spiritual lives as well.

An Example of the power of Leaven is revealed in the story of Melek (King) Shaul found in Shemuel Aleph (1Samuel 15) where Shaul (Saul) disobeys the command of Elohim and spares King Agag. This sin over time swelled so much through the hatred of Haman in the book of Esther that it almost resulted in the genocide of all the Yahudim (the Jews) in the Empire of Babylon.

The Significance of the Feast to the Talmidim (Disciples):

Firstly what is the connection to Yahshua? Unleavened bread is a picture of sanctification, purity and sinlessness. His life and sacrifice was unleavened in that he was untainted from the curse of sin therefore without spot or blemish “the ultimate Passover Sacrifice.”

The Talmidim (the Disciples) however could only see the death of Yahshua as the destruction of all hope which is further seen by their reaction to the women when they said they had seen the Master in:

Slide 11

Luke 24:11 And the women’s words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

Yahshua however did not suffer the natural process of corruption being the decomposition of the Body. His body did not return to dust the very curse given to Adam & Chavah (Eve)[Bereshith (Gen) 3:19] but as the 2nd Adam (Adam Hasheni) his death “killed the power of death” by putting away sin through his sacrifice.

What is even more powerful is that by his Rising, a new leaven, being the power of the Kingdom was being released not the leaven of death & decay but the Leaven of strength, power, health and Everlasting life through the RUACH Ha Qodesh (the Holy Spirit) that is available for all, that all the faithful can witness the new life that his rising would bring. We see Yahshua likening the Kingdom of Heaven to Leaven in:

Slide 12

MattithYahu (Matthew) 13:33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Yahshua’s Resurrection therefore is the raising agent that leads to life and that abundantly.

The Journey to Sinai:

When we continue to observe the Journey the Yisraelites took from Mitsrayim (Egypt) to Sinai we find it filled with disobedience and grumbling resulting in punishment and also miracles because this is the Journey that all YHWH’s people must take, on the road to embracing Torah & receiving all his instructions to finally having his Torah or his word written on our hearts. Yisrael in their stubbornness so angered YHWH that he finally declared the following:

Slide 13

B’midbar (Numbers) 14:21- 23 but truly, as I live all the earth shall be filled with the esteem of YHWH, 22 and none of these men who have seen My esteem and the signs which I did in Mitsrayim (Egypt) and in the wilderness and have tried Me now these ten times and have disobeyed My voice,

23 Shall see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor any of those who scorned Me see it.

Fortunately we now see because of the failure of Yisrael to continue to trust YHWH, that among the Yahudim (the Jews) a humble observance of “Counting the Omer” is strictly adhered to by all devout Yahudim (Jews) as an act of repentance, something that all believers should take note of as it constitutes a daily journey of repentance and removal of leaven that we know surrounds us and that can so easily find root in us unless we purge it. This symbolizes the total rejecting of the World’s view of what life is which we know leads to slavery often seen as returning to Mitsrayim (Egypt):

Yochanan (John) 8:34 Yahshua answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

This counting of the Omer therefore must be highly significant as we read in Scripture:

Slide 14

Vayiqra (Leviticus) 23:15- 17 And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. 16 ‘Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to YHWH.

17‘Bring from your dwellings for a wave offering two loaves of bread, of two-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour they are, baked with leaven, first-fruits to YHWH.

This Scripture however is where we have a discrepancy with Judaism in “the 1st Fruits & the Counting of the Omer” which begins according to Judaism two days after Passover but this does not coincide with the reading above. This counting would also contradict the 1st Fruits offering that we know Yahshua was as he is “the First Fruits of the Dead.”

Slide 15

Accordingly in the above scripture the 1st Fruits are brought on the morrow after the Shabbat and the count begins from the eve of 1st Fruits noting that Eve is before the day. Therefore based on that we are in a rare agreement with the Karaites which results in 1st Fruits & Shavuot (Pentecost) always falling on the morrow after the Shabbat.

The Spiritual Journey of the Sh’liychiym (Apostles):

Slide 16

Just as Yisrael was on a journey to Sinai so too were the Disciples. Their Journey began with the appearances of Yahshua Ha Machiach (the Messiah) on the Day of 1st Fruits & continued for the next 40 days after which he ascended into the Shamayim (Heavens):

1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 For I Shaul delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Machiach (Messiah) died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Kepha (Peter), then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by Ya’acov (James), then by all the Sh’liychiym (Apostles).

In this journey of understanding we find that rather than what we would expect happened. Though the revelation of the Risen Saviour had been given them, the Sh’liychiym (Apostles) did not go out and preach the message of the death & Resurrection of the Machiach (The Messiah) but rather spent the next 50 days therefore the days of “Counting the Omer” in deep study of the Tanak (Old Testament) & in fellowship and much supplication that they might remove all the Leaven of the Pharisees being the false doctrines and especially hypocrisy from their lives. If they were ever going to be the bearers of this great message they needed the hand of the Almighty resting on them and they needed to be clean vessels:

Slide 17

2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

The days referred to as “Counting the Omer” therefore are days of preparation, of Sanctification, of purging all vestiges of Leaven that the servant of the Master is able to receive the implanted word of Truth & be fully useful to the Master. The Sh’liychiym (Apostles) needed this time of preparation even though they had been with Yahshua throughout his whole ministry observing his teaching, seeing his Miracles and now seeing him risen but yet the journey was not complete until they arrived at Shavuot (Pentecost) after which their ministry would begin.

Even at the end of 40 Days after Yahshua had presented himself to many of his growing Talmidim (Disciples) when Yahshua was about to ascend to his Father he instructed them to wait in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) for the promise from the Father.

We see the same preparation in the life of Shaul (Paul) even though he was a Pharisee, educated in the School of Hillel under the most renowned teacher Gamali’el being the leader of the Council of Pharisees & the son of Elder Hillel yet Shaul (Paul) restrained himself from beginning his Ministry until he was adequately prepared as we read:

Slide 18

Galatians 1:11- 17 But I Shaul certify to you, brethren, that the Besorah (the Good News) which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Yahshua Ha Machiach (The Messiah).

13 For I advanced in the belief of the Yahudim (Judaism) beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of YHWH being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased Elohim, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His favour, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Goyim (Gentiles), I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to see Kepha (Peter) and remained with him fifteen days.

The key to understanding the need for preparation, sanctification & purging of the Leaven before launching into ministry is that of being overwhelmed. Think of Mosheh who for 40 years was trained in the ways of Mitsrayim (Egypt) thinking by his ability he could free Yisrael from Slavery. He then needed to spend 40 more years of humility in the Wilderness caring for sheep to the point of knowing he was totally incapable until by the calling and empowerment of YHWH he was able to trust and obey the voice of YHWH and see his people set free.

The Process of Experiencing the Journey from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuot through the days of “Counting the Omer” therefore is a much needed journey that finally leads to spiritual awakening & power, being the result of Sanctification and much intimacy through prayer with YHWH. I hope that through a greater awareness and understanding of this Journey that we can better appreciate the mechanisms that have been Divinely put in place for our benefit.

Slide 19

Summary of Discussion Points:

The plagues of Mitsrayim (Egypt) were meant to discredit the false Elohim of the Mitsrites (Egyptians) and to demonstrate that YHWH is above all & that he makes a distinction between Mitsrayim & Yisrael.
The Passover’s blood gave protection & the eating of the flesh of the Lamb brought strength & health to the Yisraelites. Therefore Yahshua raises this point by saying that all must eat his flesh & drink his blood to obtain life but this is especially speaking of Spiritual life.
After being delivered the people of Yisrael needed to walk in faith and trust for all their needs, a lesson we desperately need to learn as well. Therefore each one of us is also on that journey and it does not stop at Deliverance.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) is an object lesson to remind us to deal with sin in our life since Leaven raises bread through a process of death & corruption therefore equating to sin.
The Rising of Yahshua became the New Leaven of Heaven that would affect every person who put his faith in the Master.
The Journey from Mitsrayim (Egypt) to Sinai or for us today to Shavuot (Pentecost) is wonderfully portrayed through what is known as “Sefirat HaOmer” or counting the Sheaves which relates more to a spiritual journey of preparation to receiving the Torah implanted in our hearts at Sinai/ Shavuot (Pentecost) through a countdown of daily reflection over personal refinement in our life.

Amein.