The Pentecost (Shavuot) to be celebrated on 24th May 2015 (6th Sivan 5775 by the biblical calendar) marks the completion of the seven-week counting period following the Passover and commencement of the feast of unleavened bread. The Seven weeks are counted from Nisan 16th, the day after the High Sabbath when the first sheaf of the harvest was taken to the high priest to be waved. The day is very significant because the anniversary coincides with the day when the whole community of the Israel stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah from Elohim (Exodus 20)
The law required the Israelites to bring a barley offering on the second day of the feast of the Unleavened bread as recorded in Leviticus 23:10. This was called the "Omer" or the "sheaf" and would bless and consecrate the recently-harvested grains for consumption by the community. "And you shall count unto you from the morrow of the day of rest ('Shabbat'), from the day that you brought the sheaf ('omer') of the waving; there shall be seven complete weeks, Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD" (Leviticus 23:15-16). We count each of the days from the second day of Passover (16th Nisan) to the day before Shavuot, 49 days or 7 full weeks, hence the name of the festival. This year, Shavuot falls on 24th May 2015, which is exactly 50 days after 16th Nisan 5775, (4th April 2015).
The following prayer is recited while counting the omer:
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha'Olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tizivanu al sefirat ha'omer. (Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to count the omer).
The children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt so that they could go to the Promised Land and serve Elohim, the God Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Serving God required them to obey the Torah, which was given to them on the day of Shavuot. Therefore, the counting showed how greatly the children of Israel desired the Torah. This is also the same day after the ascension of Yahshua that the apostles received the promise of Holy Spirit. We read in Acts 2:1 that they were all together in unity when sound from heaven as rushing mighty wind filled the house where they were seated. The apostles received the promise of the Holy Spirit and from thereon were changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and without fear began to powerfully proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to the whole world. During Pentecost, we commemorate the giving of the pure and perfect law of Elohim, and the provision of the Holy Spirit, our helper in the pilgrimage to Zion.
The period from Passover to Shavuot is a time of growth and introspection. The counting reminds us of the important connection between Passover and Shavuot: Passover symbolized the physical liberation of Israelites from bondage in Egypt, just like we have been redeemed from the bondage of sins. In 1 Cor. 15:20 we read: "But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." When Yahshua died and rose from the dead, the harvest started! He was the first of many to follow, who would resurrect from the dead to inherit his kingdom!
The Church of God congregation in Kenya joins the people of Israel and messianic believers all over the world in celebrating this important day in the biblical calendar. We also invite everyone to join us here in Kenya at our headquarters in Nairobi (Eastleigh Section 3), and in all other branches countrywide. It will be a day of great joy and out-pouring of Holy Spirit!
Praise be to Hashem for his spiritual plan of salvation.
shavuot-festival-2015.jpg