Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 11, 2023. This is Day 3 of Week 1 as we Count to Pentecost.

What would we see if we could look at the Egyptians and the ancient Israelites during this week when Israel was exiting Egypt? Let us imagine for a moment what it might look like.

The entire Egyptian population would probably be personally recovering from the loss of special family members, because there was at least one dead in every household. In addition to the mourning and the great sense of personal loss, they would be hearing about the great loss of their future Pharaoh, the present Pharaoh’s son. Top Egyptian officials would have suffered similar losses in their families. The government would have been in chaos.

The land itself would have been stinking from the dead insects and animals that would not have been yet buried. The trees and fields would have been in shambles from the hail. And, the common Egyptian people would have been very disoriented and frightened. The Israelites had “spoiled” the Egyptians, taking with them great amounts of gold and jewelry. They were urged out of the land.
Exodus 12:29-33 (29) And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. (30) And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. (31) And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said; Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. (32) Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. (33) And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said; We be all dead men.

On this day just before they crossed the Red Sea, Israel was still technically within the borders of Egypt. As Israel neared the Red Sea, the Pharaoh and his military leaders had a moment of remorse, perhaps even a moment of revenge. They mustered enough men (what was left of Egypt’s mighty army) and pursued after the Israelite families and their herds. They intended to wipe them all out in a vast military assault. Apparently, the pillar of fire did not deter the hardhearted and newly emboldened army.

Exodus 14:1-5 (1) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (2) Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. (3) For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel; They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. (4) And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. (5) And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said; Why have we done this,that we have let Israel go from serving us?

This was all part of God’s plan as He was moving the Israelites toward freedom. God was making an example of Pharaoh and the Egyptian army that He would use for thousands of years to teach His people about His Sovereign power and purposes.

Brethren, these are not just interesting historical events God has recorded for us; no, these are priceless lessons for our admonition and our edification.

May God give us the eyes to see what He is doing in our lives to free us from our Egypt and bring us into an everlasting, loving relationship with Him.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, April 10, 2023. This is Day 2 of Week 1 as we Count to Pentecost.

Many of the major themes of the Bible run directly through the Days of Unleavened Bread. One of those themes involves God’s exercising His Sovereign will in choosing whom He will choose. During these Days, let us ponder His great calling and respond to it through the grace and power He extends to us.

Remember, God chose Abraham. Abraham did not set out to obey God until God first had singled him out. God started the relationship with Abraham; then, He made promises to Abraham. He was not coerced into those promises. Every one of those promises were part of God’s Master Plan.

It was the Mighty God Who began the relationship with ancient Israel. It was all His idea! God did not pick Israel out because they were special. The nation of Israel became special because God picked them out. The same thing has occurred in the lives of those in His Church today. God did not choose us because we were special. We became special (sanctified, holy, set apart) because He chose us. What an abundant gift of God’s grace!

Deuteronomy 7:6-7 (6) For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (7) The LORD did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
Deuteronomy 29:13 That He may establish thee to day for a people unto Himself, and that He may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as He hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

God Himself chose to love Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and ancient Israel. And, in much the same way, God has chosen to love us and choose us during this Church age.

Deuteronomy 4:37 And because He loved thy fathers, therefore He chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in His sight with His mighty power out of Egypt;
Deuteronomy 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

God now individually chooses those He will call. Then, He gives them to our Savior to work with. And then, our Savior takes us to the Father.
John 5:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

God expects that we should respond to this very special, high calling. He chose ancient Israel, and He has chosen us for Himself and insists that we be HOLY!

Leviticus 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

We all need to be encouraged by remembering the experiences God records for us about ancient Israel during these DUB. There are powerful lessons for us today!

Thank God for the wonderful blessings He has given to us as His people.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, April 9, 2023. This is Day 1 of Week 1 in our Count toward Pentecost. This is the Day of the Wavesheaf.

Leviticus 23: 9-16 (9) And the LORD 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 the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (12) 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 the LORD. (13) And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. (14) And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (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.

From the traditional name, Wavesheaf, we attach to this day, we might be led to believe that an actual “sheaf” of grain was cut and waved before the LORD. However, the Hebrew word is more properly translated as “omer.” An “omer” is an amount of grain, not just a sheaf.

That omer, waved before the LORD for acceptance, is a symbol for our risen Savior. He is the FIRST of the firstfruits.

On this wonderful day, about 2000 years ago, our Savior presented Himself before our Heavenly Father; and, He was accepted as the risen Messiah. Thus, the Count began toward Pentecost. Our Savior took on the WORK of building His Church. The Count should always make us keep the connection between this special day during Unleavened Bread, and the coming of the Holy Spirit when God provided the power for the rest of the firstfruits to become Sons of God.

God bless you with spiritual insights and wisdom.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Once again we begin our Counting to Pentecost. There will be an entry for each day. We will start with Day-1. We plan to have a write up for each day in our Counting to 50 for 2023.

The Wave Sheaf is Day 1.

The 2023 counting is being added so that it can be referenced on the website though it is not 2023 when it was added.

Love and Blessings to you and your families,
Ben Faulkner

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, April 20, 2025. this is Day 1 of Week 2 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 8th day of Counting.

Today, as we trace the journey of the Israelites out of Egypt let us pause as they did and give God thanks for ALL that God is, and ALL that He does. We find in Exodus 15 an outstanding example of a praising and thanking God for deliverance. It is one of the songs of Moses referred to in the Bible. The first song of Moses is found in Exodus 15 while the second song of Moses is in Deuteronomy 32. These songs are referred to again in the book of Revelation (3:1-4). Clearly, they are important to God’s people throughout past history and future prophecy.

Let us all take time to read the entire song of Moses in Exodus 15 and praise and thank God along with Moses and the ancient Israelites.

Exodus 15:1-19 (1) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying; I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. (2) The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. (3) The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is His name. (4) Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. (5) The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. (6) Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. (7) And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee: Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. (8) And with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. (9) The enemy said; I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. (10) Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. (11) Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (12) Thou stretchedst out Thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. (13) Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation. (14) The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. (15) Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. (16) Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of Thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till Thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which Thou hast purchased. (17) Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which Thy hands have established. (18) The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. (19) For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

If Moses, the leader, the statesmen, the worker of miracles, the 80-year-old, past general of Egypt’s armies can lead a praise and worship of God, then let us participate with our whole hearts in singing a song about our deliverance unto the LORD.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Today is Sabbath, April 19, 2025. This is Day 7 of Week 1 in our Counting toward Pentecost. Today is also the Last Day of Unleavened Bread.

It was on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread several thousand years ago that God finally brought ancient Israel completely out of Egypt. Although the Israelites walked out on their own two feet, clearly, they were not able to free themselves from Egypt. That was God’s job. And, God was more than capable of all of the additional mighty miracles required to complete the job.

As the massive group of people moved toward the Red Sea, they became aware that they were being pursued by Pharaoh and his massive army of chariots and horsemen. Of course, being typical Israelites, they panicked and began to criticize God’s process of salvation.

Exodus 14:9-12 (9) But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. (10) And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. (11) And they said unto Moses; Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? (12) Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

As true Believers we want to be very careful to avoid ALL of the mistakes that Israel made. God recorded many of the events and Israel’s weaknesses to warn us, to benefit us, and to keep us on track with God’s plans and purposes.

Psalm 106:7-12 (7) Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked Him at the sea, even at the Red sea. (8) Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known. (9) He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: So He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. (10) And He saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. (11) And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. (12) Then believed they His words; they sang His praise.

Israel did not understand what God was doing in Egypt. Let each of us pray God will grant us understanding. And, let each of us pray we remain steadfast and faithful during the time that any specific understanding may be delayed for a season of our lives.

All Israel had to do was stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. The 14th chapter of Exodus brings the story of the Exodus to a close. Israel was saved, God’s name was glorified, and the enemies from Egypt were destroyed.

God does the same for us today.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, April 18, 2025. This is Day 6 of Week 1 in our Counting toward Pentecost.

Looking back into ancient history on this 6th day of the first week, we find the children of Israel being brought out of Egyptian slavery. Yet, they are still within the boundaries of Egypt. The Bible says they journeyed from Ramses to Succoth.

Israel started out on their journey after the Passover and a time of spoiling the Egyptians. They were a motley bunch, hundreds of thousands of Israelites, with all of their “stuff” and their animals, as well as a “mixed multitude” of people, perhaps many of them Egyptians ready to leave their homeland, now devastated by the 10 plagues. Yet, their diverse grouping was carried out in an orderly fashion. The children of Israel were not fleeing from Egypt like some kind of mob. Even the archaic language of the King James Version reveals structure in the movement of the group.

Exodus 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

While Israel walked toward their crossing at the Red Sea, Pharaoh was reconsidering his decisions to let Israel go.

Exodus 14:5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

Prior to Israel’s being out of Egypt-proper, there was to be one more major attempt from the enemy to subdue Israel. This was all a part of God’s plan to permanently deal with the enemy and to make His name known throughout the earth.

Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

God bless you richly! He knows how to deliver His people!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, April 17, 2025. This is Day 5 of Week 1 in our Counting toward Pentecost.

There is much in the Bible (Old and New Testaments) about bondage, about slavery, and about freedom. And, it has been easy for casual Bible readers to become confused about these ideas through the centuries.

Philosophers, preachers, politicians, sociologists, and other professionals have spoken and written profusely on their ideas of bondage and freedom. And, indeed, there are many dimensions of freedom. There is a “freedom from” and a “freedom to.” There is “freedom within” and “freedom without.” There are other types of “freedom,” also.

Some have taught that “freedom” means lack of interference or restraint from doing whatever it is we want to do. Some feel that “freedom” is an unhampered self-determination. But, can any of these specific ideas really be so?

During these DUB, as we review the Scriptures involving the great Exodus from Egypt and other passages about slavery/freedom, we have an opportunity to ponder the “freedom” truths found in the Bible.

While ancient Israel was made free, in a literal sense, from the physical bondage and affliction of the Egyptian slavery, today, we realize that God’s real concern is for our complete spiritual freedom, because it leads us toward eternal life.

Even with ancient Israel, God’s purpose in freeing His people was so that they might serve Him.

Exodus 8:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

We come out of the slavery of sin and take God’s YOKE (paradoxically, a symbol of our “spiritual” freedom) upon ourselves. We become His dedicated, faithful SERVANTS. And, we begin living a life of “freedom to” live, love, and serve God and others as our Savior has done. In time, God brings forth the good fruit of His own divine nature within us. He makes us His true Sons.

Matthew 11:28-30 (28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Whatever it is that “freedom” means, our Savior has provided for it! He has paid ALL that is necessary! Yes, when the Son makes us FREE, we are FREE indeed! That is one of the greatest pieces of good news we can ever hear!

John 8:31-36 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Brethren, thank God that WE ARE FREE INDEED! And, now that we are a FREE people, we SERVE the Living, Sovereign God!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This is Day 4 of Week 1 in our Counting toward Pentecost.

We find that unleavened bread is described in different ways in the Scriptures.

It is called the bread of affliction in Deuteronomy 16:3.
Deuteronomy 16:3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

It is called the bread of sincerity and truth in 1 Corinthians 5:8.
1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Both of these descriptions can be helpful to us as we keep this Feast of the LORD during this week.

Each time we eat unleavened bread, let us remind ourselves that ancient Israel was afflicted as slaves in Egypt. And, this is an appropriate idea to recall for us as Believers, because our spiritual slavery to sin does cause a great deal of suffering and affliction.

Let us also remind ourselves that the unleavened bread symbolizes the Body of our Savior who was severely afflicted to free us from the bondage of spiritual slavery and its afflictions.

Then, let us also follow Paul’s admonition to the Brethren at Corinth. As we eat unleavened bread, let it remind us that we are to live our lives in sincerity and in truth, avoiding all of the leaven of malice and wickedness.

God bless each of us as we continue to celebrate this Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. This is Day 3 of Week 1 in our Counting toward Pentecost.

The command God gave in Leviticus 23 is for His people to Count or to number 50 days, as well as 7 Sabbaths (Leviticus 23: 15-16). This Counting or numbering clearly ties the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread with Pentecost, also referred to as the Feast of Weeks.

Exodus 34:22 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest…

We find in some religious groups that great significance is placed on Passover and “counting the omer,” as many Jews refer to it. Sometimes we humans can participate in so much tradition and focus on HOW to do something that we loose sight of why we do what we do.

The offering of the wave sheaf is the key occurrence that marks the beginning of the counting. And, the wave sheaf itself has tremendous meaning. For ancient Israel, the wave sheaf offering marked the beginning of their early harvest. For the Church of God today, the wave sheaf is a symbol of our Savior, raised to eternal life by God the Father, and accepted by God. God was truly “well-pleased” with His Son. Jesus Christ became the FIRSTBORN from the dead.

Let us all realize that the particular kind of resurrection Christ experienced had NEVER occurred. Yes, the Bible records that there had been resurrections from the dead, but in each of these situations, there were ONLY resurrections back to human life.

The Father resurrected His only begotten Son to an ETERNAL existence. And, the wave sheaf being offered just prior to the grain harvest is a prophetic representation that there is more to God’s spiritual harvest. The risen Christ was the FIRST. His resurrection to eternal life was only the beginning. Jesus was the first of the firstfruits. Paul understood this connection and wrote of it in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.

In this daily and weekly counting that we carry out each year, let us put some thought and effort into preparing ourselves to be part of God’s upcoming spiritual harvest. Passover provides for believers the necessary sacrifice required so that we can be forgiven. We partake of the unleavened bread as a symbol of the sinless, divine nature of God in Jesus Christ, the True Bread of Life. Then, at Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), God has provided the power for us to become the sons of God. (Reference John 1:12).

May God bless each of us as we partake daily of unleavened bread, symbolic of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God