Hopefully, by Day #32 of Counting the Omer we have all gained a great appreciation for the authenticity, authority and beautiful synchronicity of scripture. The repeat significance of numbers throughout God's Holy Word seems woven masterfully as a validation subtext for those who already believe. The number
32 is written as "Lamed Beth" in Hebrew. Lamed signifies authority and "beth" is "of the house or household." Thus, the
#32 signifies the authority we have through our Covenant with Christ.
"Counting the Omer" signifies the start of the barley harvest and ends with the wheat harvest. After Pentecost comes the "summer harvest." In ancient Israel, this harvest was comprised of seeds and vegetables considered of "lesser importance" after the all-important first-fruits staple of grains...or one might say "the Bread of Life." This summer harvest included the "fruit of the vine" such as grapes, olives, dates, figs, pomegranates and other fruits.
Does anyone remember that creepy 1997 film entitled: I Know What You Did Last Summer? The whole movie was premised on the spine-chilling idea that there was a malevolent force fully aware of your secret, private moves. Such is the stuff horror movies are made of. What if there was a flip side to this? What if, instead of evil spying, there was an all-knowing, all-loving, Sovereign force that watched our every move with benevolent interest? Envision a Comforter, Friend, close Brother who always wants our ultimate good. I doubt I could sell this idea to Hollywood. The plot is too improbable for them.
In our Christian walk, are we behaving like "watchers" or "watchmen?" Watchers are those who simply observe the evil going on around them or, even worse, participate in it and encourage it. Watchmen are those who WARN of the evil going on around them. This is a very important difference. It is the difference between Life and Death.
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
~ Ezekiel 33:6 & 9
Do we really know God? If we are Christians we might be tempted to just quickly answer: Of course! But...Do we REALLY know God? Uh...what are you getting at?
In an intimate relationship, there is really nothing more satisfying then when someone "gets us." Our best friends and spouses "understand us." In order for the relationship to be successful, this is requirement. The same is true of God. In order to be in a successful covenantal relationship with Him, we need to "get Him." We need to truly KNOW WHO HE IS and what He desires.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
~ Jeremiah 29:13 (Berean Study Bible)
How can one do this, we may ask? Fortunately, God comes with a "Handbook" or a study manual. If we take the time to study His Word, we can get to intimately know Him. Too often we have a shallow relationship with Him not unlike a teenage crush. As long as we think that His Purpose is to make us feel good, send us gifts and follow us around like an adoring puppy, then everything's good. When the relationship develops into something more than surface level, we tend to take a few steps back and think: WHOA God...Down Boy. This attitude borders on blasphemy. I need to recognize this in my own life as well.
Take a moment to meditate on WHO God really is. This awesome God is the God Who covenants with us:
Therefore, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
~ Hebrews 9:15
Here is a comprehensive list of all the compound Biblical names of God in the Bible:
J
ehovah-Ezer: The Lord our Helper
Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Mekeddeshem: The Lord Who Sanctifies
Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord our Banner Who goes before us
Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Seba'ot: The God of the Heavenly Army Hosts
Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord our Peace
But these two really sum it up:
Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is Omniscient, Omnipresent, All- surrounding
Jehovah-Roi: The Lord our Shepherd, The God Who SEES ALL
When Moses asks Him for a Name from the burning bush He simply answers: "I Am Who I Am." In another translated version it more purely says: "I Exist." Whew. That sends pleasant chills down my spine. He is the quintessential Essence of Life. Until we get a complete revelation on just WHO it is that runs the Universe, we cannot fully grasp this stunning conundrum:
What is man that you are mindful of him?
~Hebrews 2:6
The next time you drop to your knees, begin with the acknowledgement of just Who it is you are talking to. It is an amazing privilege to boldly speak to Him.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with Praise.
~Psalm 100:4
So, what did WE in America do in summers past? We, the United States of America, upheld
Roe v. Wade (Planned Parenthood v. Casey, June 29th, 1992), voted on the redefinition of marriage in our Supreme Court
(Obergefell v. Hodges, June 26, 2015), removed prayer and bible reading from our schools
(Engel v. Vitale, June 25, 1962), (Abington School District v. Schempp, June 17th, 1963). We also betrayed Israel with
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action more commonly as the "Iran nuke deal" on July 14, 2015. Thankfully the United States withdrew from this horrific "deal" recently under President Trump. However, many believe much damage was already done.
Thus, in summers past, we rang ALL FOUR warning bells of National Apostasy Sins!
#1) Innocent Slaughter
#2) Sanctification of Perversions
#3) Removal and/or replacement of God Almighty in the public square
#4) Betrayal of the Throne of David (Israel and, ultimately, Jesus Christ).
Obviously, the "summer house" mentioned in Amos 3:15 is not looking very pretty. What about our "winter house?" Ominously, on Jan 28, 2020 The Trump "peace plan" was announced which included a requirement for Israel to, once again, give up God-ordained land for "peace." Did we not learn anything with the failed Clinton Oslo accords?
Just days later the United States got hit with the Corona-virus pandemic. Immediately following, in February, transmission of the devastating COVID-19 virus was first detected in America.
God help us, do we never learn from history? When we go against God's Holy Word, we are under a curse and not a covenant.
So, I don't know what you will be doing this summer, but I pray that with God's help, it will be high season for...
REPENTING.
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. And they began to shout, "This is the voice of a god, not a man!" Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
~ Acts 12:21-23
