Dear Family,
Today is Monday, April 13, 2020; and, this is Day 2, Week 1, in our Counting toward Pentecost.
To many students of the Bible, this first week in a series of seven, is referred to as the week of the crossing of the Red Sea. We believe Israel crossed out of Egypt on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. Israel left Egypt on the 15th of the first month and crossed the Red Sea on the 21st of the first month.
Counting of the omer began on the morrow after the Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread. That would always place the beginning of the count on a Sunday and end on a Sunday.
The calendar the Pharisees used for centuries does not begin the count on the day after the weekly Sabbath; but rather, they count from the day after the first HIGH DAY; or, from the 16th of the first month. According to their reckoning that would place Pentecost on a fixed calendar date; the 6th day of Sivan every year, and thus, Pentecost could occur on any day of the week.
That has seemed very strange to us as we read the Scriptures, because a fixed date actually does away with the need to “count.” However, this has been a controversy for years; and, we want all of us to be aware that the controversy exists. Many papers have been written and placed on the internet with contrary viewpoints.
While the Pharisees propagate their viewpoint, other Jewish authorities continue to count the days as we do. Modern and ancient authorities, including Mr. Armstrong, the Kairites, the Samaritans, etc. have counted the day, rather than using a fixed date.
Perhaps in the coming months we will address this issue as needed.
Meantime, let us do as commanded and count 50, as well as noting the passing of seven full Sabbaths or weeks as found in Scripture.
Leviticus 23:15-16 (15) And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: (16) Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Traditionally, the Jews read Psalm 67 each day during this Counting to 50. (1) God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah. (2) That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. (3) Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. (4) O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. (5) Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee; (6) Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. (7) God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
This could almost be a theme for the COG, couldn’t it? May God bless you richly.
Ben Faulkner
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