The Pentecost that we read about in Acts 2 fell on the fiftieth day after Passover. As such, the English name “Pentecost” holds its root in the Greek equivalent meaning “fiftieth day,” while the Hebrew name for the holiday, Shavu’ot, means “weeks” in reference to counting seven full weeks from Passover.
Shavu’ot is a harvest festival that coincides with the ripening of the wheat crop in Israel. It’s the time that the Torah specifies to bring the first fruits of that wheat harvest to the Temple as an offering. Perhaps related to the Hebrew name for the measurement of wheat flour required for the offering—an omer—these fifty days that connect Passover week with Pentecost are also known by their Hebrew title, Sefirot haOmer, “the Counting of the Omer.”
A Story About Mount Sinai
Passover commemorates the slaying of the lamb whose blood had been placed on the doorposts of the Israelite homes in Egypt; the days of Unleavened Bread commemorate the exodus from Egypt through the Red Sea; and Pentecost commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
The first Pentecost is recorded in Exodus 19, where signs and wonders accompanied the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Smoke, fire, a rushing wind, and clouds were all around the mountain. The mountain trembled, and the entire nation of Israel heard the voice of God.
According to the Midrash (extra-biblical Jewish literature), two additional miracles took place at that time: first, flames of fire came to rest upon each individual at Mount Sinai, and second, the voice of God went forth and spoke to the Israelites in seventy voices—or seventy languages—all at one time.
These seventy languages are significant in that they represent all the nations of the earth. Therefore, God’s words went forth to all seventy nations, each in its own language, so that all humankind—not just the Israelites—would hear and obey all God’s teachings and commandments.
Yeshua echoed this during these days of the Omer in his parting words to his disciples when he said that the gospel should be taken to all nations, to every corner of the world. The disciples who heard these words were charged to reach all nations with the message of Yeshua — even to the ends of the earth.
The disciples knew the story of the giving of the Torah at Shavu’ot. They knew the story of the words of fire resting on everyone at Shavu’ot. They knew the story of God’s voice speaking to all humanity in every language at Shavu’ot. Therefore, the miracles, signs, and wonders they experienced in Acts chapter 2 carried not only deep historical significance but also a prophetic fulfillment—that God was still about the business of seeing his Word taken to all nations.
Living a History Worth Repeating
This charge is part of our journey too. We are still to be about the business of taking God’s Word to all people.
The fifty days between Passover and Pentecost provide a daily reminder to think deeply about our spiritual starting points (redemption from slavery to sin, symbolized by Passover) and ending points (the fruit we bear through the indwelling of God’s Spirit, symbolized by Pentecost). It can be profoundly impactful to seriously consider the fruit of our lives every year during this time of counting, or “accounting.” It helps us stay focused on our task of preparing this world for the coming kingdom.
As Messianic Jews, our spiritual journeys are rooted in the events of the Old Testament. Our ancestors have given us a gift, and we can pay it back by continuing the chain of events that will become the history of our descendants—histories filled with courage, devotion, and spiritual greatness. And we welcome the nations to join us as we count the days!
When we remember the purity and fear of God that the children of Israel found in themselves that day at Mount Sinai, we are assured that we don’t need to be afraid to hear the voice of God, to internalize his words, and
to take them to the world in need around us.
Making It Practical
With the help of God, we can all have a meaningful Counting of the Omer this year and experience renewal as we focus, or re-focus, on our spiritual journeys. However, this time will be fruitless if we hold ourselves back from action. An obvious choice during this season is to actually count each of the fifty days of the Omer.
The remembrance of the Master’s resurrection also makes the Counting of the Omer a season of special significance and joy for his followers. All Yeshua’s post-resurrection appearances fell within the days of the Omer. Familiarizing ourselves once again with Yeshua’s final words during this time is a powerful reminder of the mission to which we are called. His words impress strength and determination on our hearts as we carefully count each day and remember that we were redeemed to build his kingdom through the power of the Spirit.
