Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 14, 2020; this is Day 3, Week 1, in our Counting toward Pentecost.

For the ancient Israelites, counting the 50 days, and marking the passing of 7 Sabbaths was a ritual they did yearly.  In Jewish history (tradition and historical records), we find that an omer or a sheaf of new barley was offered every day beginning with the wave sheaf offering.  The counting was tied directly to the spring harvest.  

Scripturally, we can see that this ritual of counting between Passover and Pentecost is related to God’s firstfruits; that is, His spiritual spring harvest.  Compare the meaning of firstfruits in the following verses.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (20) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  (21) For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  (22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.  Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Perhaps as we count toward Pentecost, we will learn more about the meaning of this careful and repetitive counting.  Historically, Israel (more recently, just the “Jewish” people) have associated one of the Hebrew Patriarchs with each of the seven weeks of the counting.  During the first week, focus is placed on Abraham and the quality of loving kindness God demonstrated toward him.  During this week, let us turn our thoughts to that loving kindness God has demonstrated toward us.  And, let us reach out to others to share God’s love.

We love you.

Ben Faulkner
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