Week 3 of the Counting of the Omer - A reflective Study

3 weeks of the Omer have passed. I am not sure about you but I am feeling the pull of the Ruach HaKodesh into certain corners of my house, showing me where more light and attention is required. This Omer Count has certainly been a far greater spiritual journey than I have ever experienced before. We can only give thanks to our precious Abba Father who cares so much for the wellbeing of each of our souls – if we feel conviction in any area of our lives, it is His loving hand that is gently leading us back to His ways of life in abundance.

This is quite apt as we come to a close of the third week of the counting – the number 3 has so much significance.

So, let us continue our reflection, as we count 7 days for 7 weeks.

Disclaimer – this may be a tough one, so let us all brace ourselves to receive counsel.

The 3rd day of Creation – HaShem gathers and separates the earthly waters for dry land to appear and He creates seed bearing plants and fruit trees bearing fruit

On the third day, when the earthly waters were gathered after being separated, the dry land and the seed-bearing vegetation of the earth was brought forth and HaShem declared that it was good. What was started on Day 2 was brought into a state of completion in Day 3. This is so key in our lives, to understand that we are called to be gathered like kind unto like kind and to be brought to a place of fruitfulness, faithfulness and fullness. We are separated from our sin and then gathered unto Him to bear much fruit!

Day 3 was all about the continuation of life as we see every plant was given seed and in every seed, there must also be death in order for life to be brought forth. This is the picture we have in Yeshua’s death. His death brought forth life for all of mankind and looking at the fruit tree, we see Yeshua’s sacrifice and the hope of eternity. That One precious and holy seed that fell to the ground is still producing life after “its own kind” today and will forever more – separating us from our sin and gathering us into the presence of our Creator.  Yeshua was able to die to His flesh in order to bring forth the fullness of Father’s eternal plan of salvation.

John 12:24 Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest.

• What seed are you producing in your life?
• Is it seed that you would want to continue harvesting?
• Are you dying to your flesh on a daily basis?
• What do you need to change in order to become more aware of dying to self and more focused on producing good spiritual fruit?

Manifestation of the Spirit – Counsel

“The Spirit of counsel is the application of both wisdom and understanding in real circumstances, perhaps in one’s own situation or advising a friend. The real test of the Spirit of Counsel is the ability to receive it.” Alwine, H (2017). The Creation Gospel Workbook 1, pg.61

The Spirit of Counsel is necessary in each of our lives in order for us to continue to grow and bear spiritual seed. Our flesh must die in order for this fruit to come forth and for the Spirit of Counsel to be evident in that fruit. In order for us to be more like Yeshua this will need to be our journey. All of this stems from a place of deep reverence for our Father in Heaven and this reverence is what leads us to a place of true surrender and humility of heart.

If we are not able to receive counsel what is the state of our hearts? It is counsel that gives life to the seed of truth in our lives and we must be able to receive it before we can truly be able to give counsel to others. Within the framework of the Ruach HaKodesh there is abundant life in counsel but outside of the pathways of HaShem it leads to judgement and destruction.

• Are you able to receive counsel in your life or do you find it challenging?
• How can you open this area of your life to Yeshua in order to surrender your heart to His counsel?

John 14:26 – 27 But the Counselor, the Ruach HaKodesh, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything; that is, he will remind you of everything I have said to you. “What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.

Moedim – First Fruits of the Barley

The First Fruits of the Barley focuses on the fruit of our harvest, the outcome of the sowing of our fields. The first fruits offerings would be brought to the priests as a thanksgiving for the blessing over the land and over the work of the Israelite's hands. This grain offering would be waved by the priests before HaShem for acceptance.

The greatest issue with the First Fruits offering is the state of our hearts. When Cain brought his first fruits offering to HaShem it was not accepted. If he had true reverence for HaShem, He would have offered the very first produce and best of his fields and he would have wasted no time in bringing it before HaShem. Cain, however, brought what he had over the course of time. (Although this offering was at the time of Sukkot we can still glean from this story as he was offering his First Fruits.)

We get a perfect viewpoint into the state of Cain's heart here and may this give us a perfect viewpoint into ours. HaShem’s words to Cain at this time when He saw that Cain’s heart was in turmoil, was for him to lift up his head – to look towards the things of the Kingdom. HaShem knew that sin was crouching at Cain’s door and that if he did not look up – like a wave offering, he would succumb to his flesh and fall into the trap of sin.

• What does your fruit look like?
• Where are you looking right now and what is ruling your actions and reactions?
• What is the state of your heart and how can you bring it into alignment with a state of thanksgiving and surrender to HaShem?
• What sin is crouching at your door waiting to devour you?
• How can you become more like Yeshua?

7 Churches – Pergamum

The k’hal (church) of Pergamum lived in the heart of paganism. They were right in the place where Satan’s throne could be found and they held onto the name of HaShem and would not deny their faith. The church of Pergamum, however, seemed to have blurred the lines of the truth somewhat and they also took on the teachings of Balaam (you can read more about this in Numbers 22 – 25) who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites. They were also holding on to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

The word “Nicolaitans” means to conquer and subdue the people. As we see with Balaam and Balak it took the art of subtle persuasion to cause the house of Israel to fall into sin – just a little step off of the pathways of HaShem, a refocus from Father to the things of the flesh and we can all fall into the trap of sin. It only takes a small untruth to make something into a lie.

What we see here is a mixing of teachings. In the Torah, HaShem does not condone the mixing of things – seed, linen and wool and species. In Day 3 of  creation Father’s words are repeated “like kind unto like kind” to remind us of the importance of not blurring the lines. We also know that we cannot add to or remove from His Word – we cannot add on teachings from the world and take away that which makes us uncomfortable.

Father calls Pergamum to repent and that those who overcome this place will receive some of the hidden manna, a white stone and a new name written on this stone.

This hidden manna is the understanding of the Word of HaShem revealed through Moshe in the wilderness. Exodus 16:28-36 Alwine, H (2017). The Creation Gospel Workbook 1, pg.163

Again, we can see the links to death and resurrection – if we would die to our flesh and allow the seed to fall to the ground and die, we will receive the hidden manna and the crown of life.

• Are you compromising your walk with Father by following the ways of the world or man-made teachings and doctrines?
• Would you like to receive the “hidden manna” that is the reward for the overcomer?
• What needs to change in your life for this to be your reward?
• How can the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding and Counsel be part of this change?

Prayer

Father, these times we live in are not easy. We find ourselves being pulled in many directions by so many teachings and words. Help me to lift up my head and keep my eyes firmly fixed on You. Help me to examine the fruit and the seed in my life and to do away with that which is not bringing You glory and reflecting Your light within me. I ask for the strength to overcome compromise in my life and to walk in the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding and Counsel that I may rightly divide between the truth and all falseness. I need you to guide me Abba Father and I ask for your strength to fill me so that I may become more and more like Yeshua and bring glory to your Holy Name.

Thank you for the conviction of the Ruach HaKodesh as I navigate my way through this Counting of the Omer up to Shavuot and I ask you for your shalom and love to cover me and my loved ones as I pray and seek to draw nearer to you.

In the precious name of your son, Yeshua, Amein.

 

Visit www.thecreationgospel.com for detailed study 

More information on the Nicolaitans: https://renner.org/article/who-were-the-nicolaitans-and-what-was-their-doctrine-and-deeds/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaism