The Deep Meaning of Counting the Omer

Joseph F. Dumond

Isa 6:9-12 And He said, Go, and tell this people, You hear indeed, but do not understand; and seeing you see, but do not know. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back, and be healed. Then I said, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until the cities are wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land laid waste, a desolation, and until Jehovah has moved men far away, and the desolation in the midst of the land is great.
Published: Mar 12, 2021

News Letter 5857-004
The 5th Year of the 4th Sabbatical Cycle
The 26th year of the 120th Jubilee Cycle
The 28th day of the 1st month 5857 years after the creation of Adam
The 4th Sabbatical Cycle after the 119th Jubilee Cycle
The Sabbatical Cycle of Sword, Famines, and Pestilence
2010 Days until the Two Witnesses

March 13, 2021


Shabbat Zoom Meeting

There are many people in need of fellowship and who are sitting at home on Sabbath with no one to talk to or debate with. I want to encourage all of you to join us on Shabbat, and to invite others to come and join us as well. If the time is not convenient then you can listen to the teaching and the midrash after on our youtube channel.

We hope you can invite those who want to keep Torah to come and join us by hitting the link below. It is almost like a Torah teaching fellowship talk show with people from around the world taking part and sharing their insights and understandings.

We start off with some music and then some prayers and its as though you were sitting around the kitchen back in Newfoundland having a cup of coffee and all of us enjoying each other’s company. I hope you will grace us with your company someday.

This Sabbath is also the 14th day of counting the Omer and the 2nd Sabbath in that count.

Sabbath March 13, 2021, will be at 1PM Eastern for our afternoon service

We have between 60 and 100 groups joining us each week. In those groups are between one and six people listening and taking part with us. We have not done a census to know how many join. There is between 100 and 300 each week. We look forward to you joining our family and getting to know us as we get to know you.

Joseph Dumond is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Joseph Dumond’s Personal Meeting Room

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Septennial Torah Portion

If you go to Torah Portion at our archived section, you can then go to the 5th year which is the 5th year of the Sabbatical Cycle, the one we are in now, as we state at the top of every News Letter. There you can scroll down to March 11, 2021, and see that this Shabbat we could very well be midrashing about

Gen 29
1 Samuel 14-15
Psalm 63
Mark 6:33-7:23

If you missed last weeks exciting discoveries as we studied that section you can go and watch past Shabbats on our media section.

 


Tracking Time

I would like to recommend the following charts for all of you to begin to use as we are now into the new year. Pauline Readon-Benjes developed these charts a number of years ago and has offered them to you on our web site for you to download and use. You can record when the moon was sighted and then begin to count the days to each Holy Day.

You can also note significant events that take place and see if a pattern is developing.

Go to this link and click on the download button. That is the button to the right of the zoom 100% in the heading line. Download it to your computer and then you can print it off on your own printer. You will notice that Pauline already has this first page filled in for you below. You can also print this one off if you like.

And these sheets can be reused each month from year to year. May they be a blessing to you as you number your days.

Psa 90:12  So teach us to number our days, so that we may bring a heart of wisdom.

 


 

Counting the Omer

Someone is surely going to ask you or say it publicly, where are we commanded to count the omer?

When you are asked this then you will take them to Lev 23:15

“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord.

Here you are told that there are different methods of counting the 50 days. The first was to count 7 full weeks and the second was to count out the full 50 days.

Again in Deut 16:9 you are told to again COUNT. It is a commandment to count the days and or weeks. And you start from the time when the sickle is first put to the Barley grain which was done after sunset after the weekly Saturday Sabbath. This counting began with Wave Sheaf Day.

“You shall count seven weeks. Begin to count the seven weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain.

According to some the commandment ‘and you shall count for yourselves fifty days’ means to simply observe the 50th day as Shavuot while others actually declare out loud the number on each of the fifty days. A medieval Karaite Jewish practice combines two different methods of declaring the daily count. The first method is the counting of seven weeks. Each day, the number of the week and the number of the day in the week are declared. So for example, the first day is ‘first day of the first week’. The second counting method used is an overall number for each day. In this method Day one is ‘the first day’ and Day 25 is ‘the twenty-fifth day’. These two methods are used to satisfy the commandment to count seven weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9) as well as the commandment to count fifty days (Leviticus 23:16).

During each one of these days of Counting the Omer to Pentecost, Jewish tradition has developed around reading the Psalms on certain days. I find this to be very beneficial. It is customary that following the “Counting of the Omer,” one recites Psalm 67, for according to tradition, that Psalm has forty-nine words, which corresponds perfectly to the forty-nine days of the “Counting of the Omer.”

And as you meditate on and do these readings, which includes the Counting of the Omer command, keep in mind what this symbolizes. It is the counting of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years and where we are in that cycle. We are in the twenty-fourth year in 2019, which corresponds to the twenty-fourth day of the “Counting of the Omer.”

Wave Sheaf day is so exciting to understand and so amazing to believe because it forebodes the time when we will be changed and raised up. If you want to call this the Rapture then I can except that if you are obeying Yehovah. If you’re not obeying Yehovah and you think the laws are done away with, then you will not be in this resurrection or raptured. You will be told to be gone you workers of lawlessness, I never knew you.

We will speak more about this as Pentecost draws closer. The Feast of Oaths, the 8th day and the Jubilee year.

When you count from the Wave offering of the barley to Pentecost it is called the counting of the Omer. You are to count each day up to the 50th day. This Sabbath, March 13, 2021, is day fourteen. We are to count the Omer.

As I said, this is the most special time of year for me and in years past I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why, other than it had something to do with Yehshua’s resurrection and waiting in anticipation for Shavuot. While I cannot put into words how my understanding of this has grown, all I can say is that “it clicked!” and “now I get it!”, at least more than before. Understanding follows obedience. So OBEY and learn. You learn by doing as we are told in James.

James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

All 50 days and each of the Psalms can be found at the back of our book Remembering the Sabbatical year of 2016

Counting of the Omer

Day Fourteen | Light From the Law of Yehovah | Psalm 119:105-112

Today is the seventh day of the second week of seven weeks. Today is the fourteenth day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath. Today is Sabbath, the second Sabbath of seven Sabbaths. Today completes the second week of seven weeks.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
106 I have sworn, and I confirm, to guard Your righteous right-rulings. (Psalm 119:106)
107 I have been afflicted very much; O יהוה, revive me according to Your Word. (Psalm 119:107) 108 Please accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, O יהוה, and teach me Your right-rulings. (Psalm 119:108)
109 My life is in my hand continually, and Your Torah I have not forgotten. (Psalm 119:109)
110 The wrong have laid a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your orders. (Psalm )119:110
111 Your witnesses are my inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart. (Psalm 119:111) 112 I have inclined my heart to do Your laws forever, to the end. (Psalm 119:112)

3 | WEEK THREE

Day Fifteen | Safety In the Law Of Yehovah | Psalm 119:113-120

Today is the first day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the fifteenth day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

113 I have hated doubting thoughts, but I have loved Your Torah. (Psalm 119:113)
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I have waited for Your Word. (Psalm 119:114)
115 Turn away from me, you evil-doers, for I observe the commands of my Elohim! (Psalm )119:115
116 Support me according to Your Word, that I might live; and put me not to shame because of my expectation. (Psalm 119:116)
117 Sustain me, that I might be saved, and always look to Your laws. (Psalm 119:117)
118 You have made light of all those who stray from Your laws, for falsehood is their deceit. (Psalm 119:118)
119 You have made to cease all the wrong of the earth, like dross; therefore I have loved Your witnesses. (Psalm 119:119)
120 My flesh has trembled for fear of You, and I am in awe of Your right-rulings. (Psalm 7)119:120

Day Sixteen | Obedience To the Law of Yehovah | Psalm 119:121-128

Today is the second day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the sixteenth day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

Psa 119:121  AYIN: I have done the just and right thing; leave me not to those who crush me.

Psa 119:122  Be surety for Your servant for good; let not the proud press me down.

Psa 119:123  My eyes fail for Your salvation, and for the Word of Your righteousness.

Psa 119:124  Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your Precepts.

Psa 119:125  I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.

Psa 119:126  It is time for Jehovah to work; for they have broken Your Law.

Psa 119:127  Therefore I love Your Commandments above gold; yea, even fine gold.

Psa 119:128  Therefore I count all Your Commandments concerning all things to be right; I hate every false way.

Day Seventeen | Desire To Obey the Law of Yehovah | Psalm 119:129-136

Today is the third day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the seventeenth day of the
counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

Psa 119:129  PE: Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

Psa 119:130  The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psa 119:131  I opened my mouth and panted; for I longed for Your Commandments.

Psa 119:132  Look on me, and be merciful to me, as You usually do to those who love Your name.

Psa 119:133  Order my steps in Your Word; and do not let any iniquity rule over me.

Psa 119:134  Deliver me from the oppression of man; and I will keep Your Commandments.

Psa 119:135  Make Your face shine on Your servant; and teach me Your Precepts.

Psa 119:136  Rivers of water run down my eyes, because they do not keep Your Law.

Day Eighteen | The Justice of the Law of Yehovah | Psalm 119:137-144

Today is the fourth day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the eighteenth day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

Psa 119:137  TZADDI: You are righteous, O Jehovah, and Your judgments are right.

Psa 119:138  In Your testimonies You have commanded righteousness and faithfulness exceedingly.

Psa 119:139  My zeal has eaten me up, because my enemies have forgotten Your Words.

Psa 119:140  Your Word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.

Psa 119:141  I am small and despised; yet I do not forget Your Commandments.

Psa 119:142  Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is the truth.

Psa 119:143  Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; yet Your Commandments are my delight.

Psa 119:144  The righteousness of Your testimonies iseverlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live.

 

Day Nineteen | Prayer For Deliverance | Psalm 119:145-152

Today is the fifth day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the nineteenth day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

Psa 119:145  QOPH: I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Jehovah; I will keep Your Precepts.

Psa 119:146  I cried to You; save me, and I shall keep Your testimonies.

Psa 119:147  I went before the dawning of the morning and cried; I hoped in Your Word.

Psa 119:148  My eyes go before the night watches, so that I might think on Your Word.

Psa 119:149  Hear my voice according to Your loving-kindness; O Jehovah, according to Your judgment give me life.

Psa 119:150  They draw near, those who follow after wickedness; they are far from Your Law.

Psa 119:151  You are near, O Jehovah, and all Your Commandments are truth.

Psa 119:152  Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

 

Day Twenty | Plea For Salvation | Psalm 119:153-160

Today is the sixth day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the twentieth day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

Psa 119:153  RESH: Look on my affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget Your Law.

Psa 119:154  Plead my cause, and deliver me; according to Your Word give me life.

Psa 119:155  Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your Precepts.

Psa 119:156  Great are Your tender mercies, O Jehovah; according to Your judgments give me life.

Psa 119:157  Many are my persecutors and my enemies, yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

Psa 119:158  I saw the traitors, and was grieved because they did not keep Your Word.

Psa 119:159  See how I love Your Commandments; O Jehovah, according to Your loving-kindness give me life.

Psa 119:160  Your Word is true from the beginning; and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Day Twenty-One | Dedication To the Law of Yehovah | Psalm 119:161-168

Today is the seventh day of the third week of seven weeks. Today is the twenty-first day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath. Today is Sabbath, the third Sabbath of seven Sabbaths. Today completes the third week of seven weeks.

1 Elohim does favor us and bless us. Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. (Psalm 67:1)
2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)
3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:3)
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, and lead the nations on earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; let all the peoples praise You. (Psalm 67:5)
6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us! (Psalm 67:6)
7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him! (Psalm 67:7)

Psa 119:161  SHIN: Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in fear of Your Word.

Psa 119:162  I rejoice at Your Word, as one who finds great spoil.

Psa 119:163  I hate and despise lying; but I love Your Law.

Psa 119:164  I praise You seven times a day because of Your righteous judgments.

Psa 119:165  Great peace is to those who love Your Law, and there is no stumbling block for them.

Psa 119:166  Jehovah, I have hoped for Your salvation, and have done Your Commandments.

Psa 119:167  My soul has kept Your testimonies; and I love them very much.

Psa 119:168  I have kept Your Commandments and Your testimonies; for all my ways are before You.

 


 

Chapter 5 | What Does “Weeks” Mean?

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and for your set-apart city, to put an end to the transgression, and to seal up sins, and to cover crookedness, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the Most Set-apart. 25 Know, then, and understand: from the going forth of the command to restore and build Yerushalayim until Messiah the Prince is seven weeks and sixty- two weeks. It shall be built again, with streets and a trench, but in times of affliction. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and have naught. And the people of a coming prince shall destroy the city and the set-apart place. And the end of it is with a flood. And wastes are decreed, and fighting until the end. 27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall put an end to slaughtering and meal offering. And on the wing of abominations he shall lay waste, even until the complete end and that which is decreed is poured out on the one who lays waste.1” [Footnote: 1Matthew 24:15 (Daniel 9:24-27)]

We are now over 200 pages into this subject of Daniel’s 70 Weeks and yet, we have only covered the first seven words of this prophesy.

“Seventy weeks are decreed for your people.”

I have explained who Daniel’s people are. They are all of Israel and I have explained who they are today. They are the descendants of the Celtic people and they are the Nation of Britain and the British Commonwealth—as well as the United States of America and the State of Israel. It is extremely important to understand who this prophecy is speaking about.

I have already shown you why the 70 Weeks is not 70 x 7—which would give you an invalid total of 490 years. People have been using this information for every time of trial for over the past 2,000 years and it has never proven true. Nor will it. It cannot be plugged into any current theories and it also falls short in the context of using it to rectify and bridge any remaining gaps in the so-called “Gap Theory.”

So what then is the answer to this riddle of riddles?

It is actually quite simple and it comes from a proper understanding of the words spoken. When you understand this word “week,” the meaning is extremely deep. Prepare to have the tent pegs of your mind stretched as we begin by examining the word “weeks” for insight and clarity.

Here is this first sentence again with the Strong’s Hebrew notes:

24 SeventyH7657 weeksH7620 are determinedH2852 uponH5921 thy people. H5971 (Daniel 9:24)

The word “seventy” is very easy to understand and it is: H7657350—shib‛ı ym shib-eem’

Multiple of H7651: Seventy: Seventy, threescore and ten (+ -teen).

But remember, it is the word “weeks” that is the primary focus of this chapter. When you look it up in Strong’s Concordance, you immediately find there are a number of words to investigate.

H7620—shaw-boo’-ah, shaw-boo’-ah, sheb-oo-aw’
Properly passive participle of H7650 as a denominative of H7651: Literally sevened, that is, a week (specifically of years): Seven, week.

H7650—shaw-bah’

A primitive root; properly to be complete, but used only as a denominative from H7651: To seven oneself, that is, swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times): Adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full [by mistake for H7646], take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.

H7646—saw-bah’, saw-bay’-ah

A primitive root; to sate, that is, fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively): Have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiated, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.

H7651—sheh’-bah, shib-aw’

From H7650: A primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication a week; by extension an indefinite number: (+ by) seven ([-fold], -s, [-teen, -teenth], -th, times). Compare H7658.

H7658—shib-aw-naw’

Prolonged for the masculine of H7651: Seven: Seven.

Above then you have the definition of this word commonly known as “weeks.” Before I say anything further to influence your thoughts one way or another, I will first have you look where else this same word is used in the Bible. Strong’s Concordance maintains it is used a total of nineteen times. In eleven of these nineteen instances, we are provided with a clear example of the word and its proper meaning.

H7620 shaw-boo’-ah, shaw-boo’-ah, sheb-oo-aw

Total KJV Occurrences: 19 Weeks (15)

Exodus 34:22 (1), Leviticus 12:5 (1), Numbers 28:26 (1), Deuteronomy 16:9-10 (3), Deuteronomy 16:16 (1), 2 Chronicles 8:13 (1), Daniel 9:24-26 (5), Daniel 10:2-3 (2)

Week (4)

Genesis 29:27-28 (2), Daniel 9:27 (2)

Our first example in Exodus plainly reveals to us it is speaking of the “Feast of Weeks.”

22“And perform the Festival of Weeks for yourself, of the first-fruits of wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year.” (Exodus 34:22)

The second verse the word “weeks” is found in is Leviticus 12:5, but it does not meet the criteria of what I am talking about here. However, the next verse in Numbers does and clearly, it too is talking about the Feast of Weeks.

26 “And on the day of the first-fruits, when you bring a new grain offering to יהוה at your Festival of Weeks, you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.” (Numbers 28:26)

The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh verses resulting from our word search for the word “weeks” originate in the Book of Deuteronomy and they too, without a doubt, are speaking about this Feast of “Weeks.”

9 “Count seven weeks for yourself. Begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. 10 And you shall perform the Festival of Weeks to יהוה your Elohim, according to the voluntary offering from your hand, which you give as יהוה your Elohim blesses you.” (Deuteronomy 16:9-10)

16 “Three times a year all your males appear before יהוה your Elohim in the place which He chooses: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and at the Festival of Weeks, and at the Festival of Booths. And none should appear before יהוה empty-handed.” (Deuteronomy 16:16)

Our eighth usage of the word “weeks” is found again in 2 Chronicles. Are you seeing a pattern here?

13 “… even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the command of Mosheh, for the Sabbaths, and for the New Moons, and for the appointed times three times a year: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths.” (2 Chronicles 8:13)

Up to this point, all of the examples given to us are decidedly talking about the Feast of Weeks with one exception. The Scriptures that follow are the ones we are determining their proper meaning concerning the 70 Weeks of Daniel 9. Out of the nineteen verses with the word ‘weeks,’ there are twelve which describe to us the Feast of Weeks, with seven of those occurrences taking place in the very set of scriptures we are examining—that is, Daniel 9:24-26.

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and for your set-apart city, to put an end to the transgression, and to seal up sins, and to cover crookedness, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the Most Set-apart. 25 Know, then, and understand: from the going forth of the command to restore and build Yerushalayim until Messiah the Prince is seven weeks and sixty- two weeks. It shall be built again, with streets and a trench, but in times of affliction. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and have naught. And the people of a coming prince shall destroy the city and the set-apart place. And the end of it is with a flood. And wastes are decreed, and fighting until the end. 27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall put an end to slaughtering and meal offering. And on the wing of abominations he shall lay waste, even until the complete end and that which is decreed is poured out on the one who lays waste.” (Daniel )9:24-27

There are also four more verses where the word “week” is found. Daniel 10:2-3 (2), Genesis 29:27-28 (2), which in both instances is speaking of an actual 7 day period of time. In Chapter 11, I will present to you the two instances of the word ‘week’ that are found in Daniel 9:27—again, in the context of part of the verses we are examining. This is very remarkable.

Given the fact many of you may not know what the “Feast of Weeks” is exactly, I will now direct you to Leviticus 23 where we are told of each of the Festivals we are to keep according to Yehovah’s Biblical Calendar with His holy, appointed times.

5 “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to 6 .יהוה And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread to יהוה—seven days you eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. 8 And you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה for seven days. On the seventh day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.” (Leviticus 23:5-8)

9 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before יהוה, for your acceptance. On the morrow after the Sabbath the priest waves it. 12 And on that day when you wave the sheaf, you shall prepare a male lamb a year old, a perfect one, as a burnt offering to 13 ,יהוה and its grain offering: two-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to יהוה, a sweet fragrance, and its drink offering: one-fourth of a hin of wine. 14 And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim—a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.’” (Leviticus 23:9- )14

15 “‘And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. 16 Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to 17 .יהוה Bring from your dwellings for a wave offering two loaves of bread, of two-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour they are, baked with leaven, first-fruits to 18 .יהוה And besides the bread, you shall bring seven lambs a year old, perfect ones, and one young bull and two rams. They are a burnt offering to יהוה, with their grain offering and their .יהוה drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet fragrance to 19 And you shall offer one male goat as a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old, as a peace offering. 20 And the priest shall wave them, besides the bread of the first-fruits, as a wave offering before 21 .for the priest יהוה besides the two lambs. They are set-apart to ,יהוהAnd on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do no servile work on it—a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.’” (Leviticus 23:5-21)

You are commanded to keep the Passover. Then, from the Sunday during the Days of Unleavened Bread, you are to count seven Sabbaths and after the seventh Sabbath you are to count to the fiftieth day.

15 “And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. 16 Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to יהוה.” (Leviticus 23:15-16)

In Christendom this is referred to as Pentecost—Pentecost Sunday to be exact. It is also known in Hebrew as Shavuot.

In Luke we can read of this time when the counting of the weeks was taking place.

And it happened on the second chief sabbath, He went through the grain fields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate, rubbing them in their hands. (Luke 6:1)

When you look up the word for the chief Sabbath in the Strong’s Concordance it tells you the following.

G1207 deuteroprōtos dyoo-ter-op’-ro-tos

From G1208 and G4413; second first, that is, (specifically) a designation of the Sabbath immediately after the Paschal week (being the second after Passover day, and the first of the seven Sabbaths intervening before Pentecost): – second . . . after the first.

Shavuot is the plural of shabua. The Jewish Feast of Pentecost, or Festival of Weeks, is called in Hebrew, Shavuot.351

The Festival of Weeks, commontly shortened to Shavuot (Weeks). Shavuot is the plural of shabua. A shabua in Hebrew is a collection of seven (just as a decade is a collection of ten in English). Shavuot in this instance is a collection of seven seven-day weeks.352

The word “weeks” is the plural of the word “week.” Our word in Daniel 9:24 is the plural word and in Hebrew this word “week” is “Shabua” and the plural for “Shabua” is “Shabuot” or “Shavuot”—the “v” and “b” sounding the same.

Shavuot or Shabuoth (ʃəˈvuːəs, -əʊs, Hebrew ʃavuːˈɔt, ʃəˈvuːəs, -əʊs, Hebrew ʃavuːˈɔt)

n. the Hebrew name for Pentecost
[from Hebrew shābhū`ōth , plural of shābhūā` week]353

It stands to reason then, to say that this verse is saying Seventy Shavuot. The following passage in Jeremiah is also a point of interest not noted earlier that is deserving of merit.

24 And they do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear יהוה our Elohim, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He guards for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” (Jeremiah 5:24)

Here in Jeremiah this word “weeks” is called SHAVUOT.354

So, instead of saying “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people,” you could say “Seventy Shavuot are decreed for your people.”

I will now take you on a bit of a detour to help you gain an even deeper understanding of what Shavuot is really all about. To some people it is simply the day when Yehovah gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Nation of Israel and although this is true, it is not the whole truth (Exodus 19-20). To most Christians this is the day the Holy Spirit was imparted to the Apostles in Acts 2 and this is also true, but what most people do not realize is what this day means to Yehovah Himself. We have three names for the Feast of Shavuot—also known as the Feast of Pentecost.

1. Chag haKatzir—Festival of the Harvest (Exodus 23:16)
2. Yom Habikkurim—Day of First-fruits (Numbers 28:26)
3. Chag haShavuot—Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:10)
The least common name connection to Shavuot,355 however, is “The Feast of Oaths.”356

But getting back to where we were, let us now look at the definition of the word “weeks.”

H7620—Taken from Brown-Driver-Briggs, שׁבוּע / שׁבע / שׁבעה, shâbûa‛ / shâbûa‛ / shebû‛âh, BDB Definition:

1. Seven, period of seven (days or years), heptad, week 1a. Period of seven days, a week
1a1. Feast of Weeks
1b. Heptad, seven (of years)

Part of Speech: Noun masculine, a related word by BDB/Strong’s Number: Properly, passive participle of.

H7650—As a denominative of H7651. Same word by TWOT Number: 2318d
Just like in the beginning, we are led to another root word that ties into the word “week” or “Shabua” and this is the word “Shaba.” H7650—Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁבע, shâba, BDB Definition:

1. To swear, adjure.

1a. (Qal) sworn (Participle)
1b. (Niphal)
1b1. To swear, take an oath.
1b2. To swear (of Elohim by Himself). 1b3. To curse.

1c. (Hiphil)
1c1. To cause to take an oath.
1c2. To adjure, Part of Speech: Verb

H7650—Strong’s שׁבע, shâba, shaw-bah’

A primitive root; properly to be complete, but used only as a denominative from H7651; to seven oneself, that is, swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times): adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full [by mistake for H7646], take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.

By investigating just these three Hebrew words (H-7620, H-7650 and H-7651) alone, which stem from the word “Shavuot,” we now have a sound basis and very strong case for seeing the correlation between the three Hebrew words and their connection to the “Feast of Oaths.” When you seven yourself, you are making an oath.

We read in The Book of Customs:

The Book of Jubilees, an ancient text that survived in part in the Dead Sea Scrolls and in its entirety in the ancient Ethiopian language Ge’ez, gives an entirely different spin on Shavuot. The word ‘shavua,’ (or) ‘week’ is a near-homonym to the word for ‘oath’ (‘shevuah’), and the anonymous author of Jubilees says that Shavuot was, in fact, the “Feast of Oaths.”357

Nissan Mindel confirms this meaning of Shavuot in his book:

Shavuot means not only ‘weeks’ but also ‘oaths.’ The name indicates the two oaths, which G-d and the Jewish people exchanged, upon the day of the Giving of the Torah, to remain faithful to each other forever.358

What does “swearing an oath” mean in the light of Ancient Near Eastern Covenant structure and context? The answer to this is revealed to us in Exodus, Chapters19-24— the tenets of which are drawn up in a Suzerain-Vassal Covenant Treaty format.

A Suzerain-Vassal Treaty is a conditional covenant where a great King or Nation (Suzerain) rules over a Lesser Servant King/Nation (Vassal)—whereas the Vassal himself pledges or vows an oath of love and loyal allegiance alongside of upholding all the commitments laid forth by the Great King-Suzerain. While this was common knowledge in the Ancient Near East within covenant making between nations, we can now begin to see just how much more depth a Covenant Kingdom has in the Eyes of our Creator.

A Suzerain Treaty requires that the following seven conditions be fulfilled:

1. Identification or Preamble of those involved in the treaty.
2. Prologue listing deeds performed by the Suzerain King already done for the Vassal nation.
3. Commitments to be honored by the Vassal for the duration of the treaty.
4. Terms for the annual reading to the nation of the treaty as wells as terms to renew allegiance to the treaty and the Suzerain.
5. Divine witness to the treaty. In our case, YHWH would be our Witness.
6. Blessings for obedience and Curses for disobedience to the Covenant Treaty.
7. A Ratification Ceremony with oaths and a sacrificial meal to show participation of those involved in the Covenant Treaty.

“Oath of Compliance”

From George E. Mendenhall’s, Ancient Israel’s Faith and History359 description of the sixth typical section in common ANE Treaty structure.

A treaty is a text but an oath is the actual mechanism whereby the text is ratified and brought to life, no longer just words in a document but a functioning reality in the lives of actual people. We have ample evidence of treaties concluding with rituals of compliance, usually spoken oaths but sometimes physical gestures. In much the same way, treaties today are ratified by signatures and handshakes activating the new relationships and its terms. It should not be surprising that the biblical story of the Covenant at Mount Sinai reaches its climax with the escaped slaves pledging to abide by the covenant obligations thereby defining and activating themselves as the people of YHWH (See Exodus 24: 3-8).

3 And Mosheh came and related to the people all the Words of הוהי and all the right-rulings. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the Words which הוהי has spoken we shall do.”4 And Mosheh wrote down all the Words of הוהי, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve standing columns for the twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and they offered burnt offerings and slaughtered peace slaughterings of bulls to 6.הוהי And Mosheh took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that הוהי has spoken we shall do, and obey.”8 And Mosheh took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “See, the blood of the covenant which הוהי has made with you concerning all these Words.” (Exodus 24:3-8)

Speaking on the Covenant at Sinai and Near Eastern covenants Rene Lopez360 says:

Foundationally, Beri’t (“covenant”) signifies a binding agreement between two parties… The function of Beri’t is basically that of an oath, commitment, or bond between two parties.

The oath. At the conclusion of a covenant, the vassal usually uttered an oath. This gave assurance to the suzerain that the stipulations of the treaty would be kept. Furthermore, an oath ceremony also served to secure bilateral faithfulness of the parties.361

Oaths were usually uttered at the conclusion of a treaty, which implied acceptance of its terms. However, Israel invoked an oath in Exodus 19:8, “All that the YHWH has spoken we will do,” before hearing the covenant. Then, after hearing the covenant in 24:3, 7, they consented again.

So oaths and stipulations are correlated expressions of the concluded covenant itself, or the oath is the divine sanction of the agreement as affirmed in the covenant declaration and as laid down in the stipulations. 362

We can read of this “Oath” made by our King, our Suzerain, Yehovah at Shavuot, during the Feast of Weeks at Mount Sinai.

3 And Mosheh went up to Elohim, and הוהי called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you are to say to the house of Ya’aqoḇ, and declare to the children of Yisra’ĕl: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Mitsrites, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 And now, if you diligently obey My voice, and shall guard My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession above all the peoples—for all the earth is Mine—6 and you shall be to Me a reign of priests and a set-apart nation.’ Those are the words which you are to speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl.” 7 And Mosheh came and called for הוהי the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which commanded him. (Exodus 19:3-7)

The Covenant Yehovah forged with His chosen ones at Mount Sinai is intricately intertwined with a direct Oath and Covenant made by Yehovah with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

15 And the Messenger of הוהי called to Aḇraham a second time from the heavens, 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares הוהי, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I shall certainly bless you, and I shall certainly increase your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore, and let your seed possess the gate of their enemies. 18 And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:15-18)

Is this not exactly what Paul is talking about also in Hebrews 6?

13 For Elohim, having promised Aḇraham, since He could swear by no one greater, swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Truly, blessing I shall bless you, and increasing I shall increase you.”15 And so, after being patient, he obtained the promise.16 For men do indeed swear by the one greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.17 In this way Elohim, resolving to show even more clearly to the heirs of promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, confirmed it by an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable matters in which it is impossible for Elohim to lie, we might have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the expectation set before us,19 which we have as an anchor of the life, both safe and firm, and entering into that within the veil,20 where עשוהי has entered as a forerunner for us, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Malkitseḏ. (Hebrew 6:13-20)

The Covenant that Yehovah made with Abraham as described in Genesis 15 is a Blood Covenant, of which you would do well to understand. Abraham wanted to know what his great reward was because he had no children.

7 And He said to him, “I am יהוה, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.” 8 And he said, “Master ,whereby do I know that I possess it?” 9 And He said to him ,יהוה “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he took all these to Him and cut them in the middle, and placed each half opposite the other, but he did not cut the birds. 11 And the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, and Aḇram drove them away. (Genesis 15:7-11)

17 And it came to be, when the sun went down and it was dark, that see, a smoking oven and a burning torch passing between those pieces. 18 On the same day יהוה made a covenant with Aḇram, saying, “I have given this land to your seed, from the river of Mitsrayim to the great river, the River Euphrates.” (Genesis 15:17-18)

Here you have an oath that began with Yehovah making a promise to Abraham, and this oath was in turn, spoken to Isaac and Jacob and was finally ratified in blood at Mount Sinai 50 days after the Passover and the Exodus by the people themselves agreeing to it. Many people already know the passage in Romans below by heart, but few, if any, understand what it really means. We read in Romans, Chapter 10:

9 That if you confess with your mouth the Master יהושע and believe in your heart that Elohim has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. (Romans 10:9)

This word “confess,” means something entirely different than just saying the name of Jesus out loud. It is the Greek word G3670 ὁμολογέω homologeō hom-ol-og-eh’-o

From a compound of the base of G3674 and G3056; to assent, that is, covenant, acknowledge: con-(pro)-fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.

Taken in context this means one who is “confessing”/“professing” a genuine faith in Yehshua. Also, one who is coming into Covenant and binding themselves by oath with Him and agrees to the Covenant Yehshua presented at Mount Sinai. As the “Lesser King” or “Master” to the Suzerain Yehovah, Yehshua’s Covenant is the same as the Father’s, which means you are entering into an agreement to keep and be loyal to the Torah and you are then reconciled to Him and restored back into the Kingdom! Remember we showed you earlier that Yehovah is Yehshua.

When you confess in the Messiah as Romans 10:9 says, you are in fact admitting that you have broken the commandments made at Mount Sinai and want to come back into that covenant arrangement. You want to be forgiven your sin of not keeping this covenant agreement.

Keep in mind that in Ancient world culture and context, when a covenant was cut between a Suzerain and vassal, that meant that as long as the vassal was keeping the commitments of the covenant with the King, no one else could come against that nation or vassal without having to face the full Sovereignty of the Suzerain King and all of his resources.

On the other hand, it also meant that if the vassal broke the commitments of the Covenant, the Vassal would suffer the consequences invoked by the Suzerain King.

The entire Book of Deuteronomy is structured as a typical Suzerain-Vassal Covenant Document, which is a more detailed reiteration of the Covenant at Mount Sinai to the second generation in the wilderness prior to entering Eretz Yisrael (the Promised Land).

When you confess your sins you are, in fact, admitting to having broken the Covenant made at Mount Sinai and are wishing to return to the terms of that Covenant as originally agreed. By doing this, you escape the curses that you are now under.

Avinu, Malkeinu (Our Father, Our KING) states HIS oath to Israel again in Chapter :29

9 “Therefore you shall guard the words of this covenant, and do them, so that you prosper in all that you do. 10 All of you are standing today before הוהי your Elohim: your leaders, your tribes, your elders and your officers, all the men of Yisra’ĕl, 11 your little ones, your wives, and your sojourner who is in the midst of your camp, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who draws your water, 12 so that you should הוהי your Elohim, and into His oath, which הוהי enter into covenant with your Elohim makes with you today, 13 in order to establish you today as a people for Himself, and He Himself be your Elohim, as He has spoken to you, and as He has sworn to your fathers, to Aḇraham, to Yitsḥaq, and to Ya’aqoḇ. 14 And not with you alone I am making this covenant and this oath, 15 but with him who stands here with us today before הוהי our Elohim, as well as with him who is not here with us today.” (Deuteronomy 29:9-15)

Those who confess the name of Yehshua, as we are told in Romans 10:9 which we just read, confess to breaking this Covenant and want to come back and begin to obey it.

The nation of Israel, our ancestors, gave an Oath to obey three different times. Three times we swore to keep all that Yehovah had said concerning the Covenant. The first time again, was prior to hearing the Commandment by Yehovah.

8 And all the people answered together and said, “All that הוהי has spoken we shall do.” So Mosheh brought back the words of the people to הוהי. (Exodus 19:8)

The second time is at the ratification ceremony prior to the Offerings.

3 And Mosheh came and related to the people all the Words of הוהי and all the right-rulings. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the Words which הוהי has spoken we shall do.” (Exodus 24:3)

The third time is at the ratification prior to the sprinkling of the blood again making this a Blood Covenant.

7 And he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that הוהי has spoken we shall do, and obey.” (Exodus 24:7)

I want to point out to you what was said in the last part of Deuteronomy. This covenant was made with those standing there at that time and also with those who were not yet born. That is with us today.

14 And not with you alone I am making this covenant and this oath, 15 but with him who stands here with us today before הוהי our Elohim, as well as with him who is not here with us today.” (Deuteronomy 29:9- )15

Acts 2 is also an affirmation of the Covenant on Shavuot! And let me go even further and say that by keeping Pentecost or Shavuot, you are in fact, sevening yourself each year. You are reaffirming your commitment to the Covenant our ancestors made on our behalf back at Mount Sinai over 3,391 years ago in 1337 B.C.

1 And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks had come, they were all with one mind in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak. 5 Now in Yerushalayim there were dwelling Yehuḏim, dedicated men from every nation under the heaven. (Acts 2:1- )5

1 And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks had come, they were all with one mind in one place. (Acts 2:1)

Many of you may know that there was a specific service and set of prayers done at the Beit HaMikdash (The Holy Temple) on Shavuot, including a recitation of the Ten Commandments.363

Everyone who was there at the Temple during the time of Shavuot was recommitting themselves to Yehovah and the Covenant that was made at Mount Sinai. All with one mind, in one accord and in one place!

Ancient Covenants were often ratified or enacted by the incorporation of multiple elements—some of which included the oaths spoken by both parties, usually followed by a sacrifice and a shared meal. Additionally, there were normally stipulations included in the Covenant that underscored the importance of reciting and reviewing the Covenant annually, and/or at the time of a new Vassal King in order for renewal and remembrance of the Covenant made with the Suzerain KING!

Each year at Shavuot, the Feast of Pentecost, we review the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 and expanded in Exodus 34.

The Covenant made at Mount Sinai was a Blood Covenant. Read what Henry Trumbull has to say on this.

A “covenant union in sacrifice” is an indefinite and ambiguous term. It may mean a covenant union wrought by sacrifice, or a covenant union accompanied by sacrifice, or a covenant union exhibited in sacrifice. But, in whatever sense it is employed, the fact remains true, that, wherever a bloody offering is made in connection with sacrifice and with covenanting, it is the blood-drinking, the blood-pouring, or the blood-touching, that represents the covenant-making; while eating the flesh of the victim, or of the feast otherwise provided, represents the covenant-ratifying, or the covenant-showing…364

Thus, at Sinai the formal covenanting of the Lord with His people was accompanied by sacrificing. Representatives of the people of Israel offered burnt-offerings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord. Nothing is here said of the technical sin-offering, but the whole burnt-offering and the peace-offering are included. The blood- outpouring and the blood-sprinkling preceded any feasting. And as if to make it clear that “by sprinkling the blood” and not “by eating the flesh of the victim,” the “covenant union in [this] sacrifice was represented,” Moses took a portion of the blood and “sprinkled [it] on the altar,” and another portion “and sprinkled it on the people,” saying as he did so, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you.” It was not until after this covenanting by blood, that the people of Israel, by their representatives, did eat and drink “in ratification, or in proof, or in exhibit, of the covenant thus wrought by blood.”

We have these exact same things spelled out to us in Exodus. It is Yehovah and the Nation of Israel making a Blood Covenant on the Day of Shavuot. Yehovah spoke these Commandments in person on Shavuot, so that all of Israel heard them in Exodus 20. He then wrote them on stone in Exodus 24.

1 And to Mosheh He said, “Come up to הוהי, you and Aharon, Naḏaḇ and Aḇihu, and seventy of the elders of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall bow yourselves from a distance. 2 “But Mosheh shall draw near to הוהי by himself, and let them not draw near, nor let the people go up with him.” 3 And Mosheh came and related to the people all the Words of הוהי and all the right-rulings. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the Words which הוהי has spoken we shall do.”4 And Mosheh wrote down all the Words of הוהי, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve standing columns for the twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and they offered burnt offerings and slaughtered peace slaughterings of bulls to 6 .הוהי And Mosheh took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. (Exodus 24:1-6)

7 And he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that הוהי has spoken we shall do, and obey.” 8 And Mosheh took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “See, the blood of the covenant which הוהי has made with you concerning all these Words.” 9 And Mosheh went up, also Aharon, Naḏaḇ, and Aḇihu, and seventy of the elders of Yisra’ĕl, 10 and they saw the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, and under His feet like a paved work of sapphire stone, and like the heavens for brightness. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the chiefs of the children of Yisra’ĕl! And they saw Elohim, and they ate and drank.12 And הוהי said to Mosheh, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there, while I give you tablets of stone, and the Torah and the command which I have written, to teach them.” (Exodus 24:7-11)

And after Moses broke those stones, Yehovah wrote them again on both sides of the stone in Exodus 34.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul is discussing in Chapter 9 of the Book of Hebrews, connecting the Ratification Ceremony at Mount Sinai with Yehshua, the Mashiach, our Redeemer and Mediator of the Renewed Covenant!

1 Now the first covenant indeed had regulations of worship and the earthly set-apart place. 2 For a Tent was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, and the table, and the showbread, which is called the Set-apart Place. 3 And after the second veil, the part of the Tent which is called Most Set-apart, 4 to which belonged the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that held the manna, and the rod of Aharon that budded, and the tablets of the covenant, 5 and above it the keruḇim of esteem were overshadowing the place of atonement—about which we do not now speak in detail. 6 And these having been prepared like this, the priests always went into the first part of the Tent, accomplishing the services. (Hebrews 9:1-6)

7 But into the second part, the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for sins of ignorance of the people, 8 the Set-apart Spirit signifying this, that the way into the Most Set-apart Place was not yet made manifest while the first Tent has a standing, 9 which was a parable for the present time in which both gifts and slaughters are offered which are unable to perfect the one serving, as to his conscience, 10 only as to foods and drinks, and different washings, and fleshly regulations imposed until a time of setting matters straight.(Hebrews 9:7-9)

11 But Messiah, having become a High Priest of the coming good matters, through the greater and more perfect Tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, 12 entered into the Most Set-apart Place once for all, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, having obtained everlasting redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the defiled, sets apart for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of the Messiah, who through the everlasting Spirit offered Himself unblemished to Elohim, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim? (Hebrews 9:11-14)

15 And because of this, He is the Mediator of a renewed covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called might receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, it is necessary for the death of the covenanted one to be established. 17 For a covenant over those dead is firm, since it is never valid while the covenanted one is living. (Deuteronomy 24, Numbers 5, Romans 7)*18 Therefore, not even the first covenant was instituted without blood. 19 For when, according to Torah, every command had been spoken by Mosheh to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which Elohim commanded you.” (Hebrews 9:15-20)

21 And in the same way he sprinkled with blood both the Tent and all the vessels of the service. 22 And, according to the Torah, almost all is cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 It was necessary, then, that the copies of the heavenly ones should be cleansed with these, but the heavenly ones themselves with better slaughter offerings than these. 24 For Messiah has not entered into a Set-apart Place made by hand—figures of the true—but into the heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Elohim on our behalf, 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the Set-apart Place year by year with blood not his own. 26 For if so, He would have had to suffer often, since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the offering of Himself. 27 And as it awaits men to die once, and after this the judgment, 28 so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to those waiting for Him, unto deliverance. (Hebrews 9:21- 28)

As I have shown, Shavuot is also the portrait of an intimate, loving relationship between Yehovah and Israel. This is Israel marrying her KING, coming under the Chuppah of Mount Sinai, accepting the Ketubah (Wedding Contract) of the Creator of the Universe. Even though Yehovah would know that we would violate this marriage, that we would commit idolatry and spiritual adultery by going after other mighty ones, HE nevertheless instilled provisions for the complete Restoration of His Bride through Yehshua the Messiah!

It was also on Shavuot in Acts, Chapter 2 when a new facet of our Marriage Covenant was brought to life and became a reality when the Spirit of the Torah—the Ruach HaQodesh (Holy Spirit) was given and recognized as the counterpart to the Letter of the Torah that was given at Mount Sinai. The Ruach is our Seal from the KING that we have been marked for redemption to enter the Kingdom of Yehovah by the work of Yehshua the Messiah!

Did Yehovah our Groom, our King, give His Vassal-Israel a Signet/Wedding Ring, or a sign to the Nations that we, as His Bride, are married to the Great King in which accompanies the Seal of the Ruach HaQodesh?

13 And you, speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, “My Sabbaths you are to guard, by all means, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, to know that I, הוהי, am setting you apart. 14 And you shall guard the Sabbath, for it is set-apart to you. Everyone who profanes it shall certainly be put to death, for anyone who does work on it, that being shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days work is done, and on the seventh is a Sabbath of rest, set-apart to Everyone doing work on the Sabbath day shall certainly be put to .הוהי death. 16 And the children of Yisra’ĕl shall guard the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. 17 Between Me and the children of Yisra’ĕl it is a sign forever. For in six days הוהי made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” 18 And when He had ended speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Mosheh two tablets of the Witness, tablets of stone, written with the finger of Elohim. (Exodus )31:13-18

13 And you, speak to the children of Yisra’ ĕl, saying, “My Sabbaths you are to guard, by all means, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, to know that I, הוהי, am setting you apart.” (Exodus 31:13)

19 “I am הוהי your Elohim. Walk in My laws, and guard My right- rulings, and do them. 20 And set apart My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, to know that I am הוהי your Elohim.” (Ezekiel 20:19-20)

The Fourth Commandment is the one part of The Law most will not keep. It includes the weekly Sabbath and the Annual Holy Days as listed in Leviticus 23 and it also includes the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years as told to us in Leviticus 25.

Before I move on, I must point out that the night before Passover in the year Yehshua was to be killed, He had a meal (His last Supper) with His disciples and told them that the wine represented His blood and that the bread represented His flesh. All the ingredients used to make a covenant; or, a Suzerain-Vassal Treaty.

27 And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink all of it. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28)

19 And He took bread and gave thanks, and He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way He took the cup, after having dined, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is being poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20)

His body was not broken until that next day and His blood was spilled out on the ground in the exact same way an animal’s blood runs on the ground in a covenant treaty. This happened at the exact same time when the Passover Lambs were killed at 3pm on the 14th of Aviv and their blood spilled on the ground each year renewing the Covenant.

The Covenant that He was renewing was, again, the very same one from Mount Sinai, which He spoke to the Israelites. The same one which on the day of His Ascension on that Sunday Morning began the process of counting to the seven weeks of Sabbaths; the fifty days until Pentecost, or the time of swearing our oaths renewed again that we will keep the Torah, only now in a way that’s been written on our hearts. In other words, the Feast of Oaths is a time during which we seven ourselves to Yehovah again, as we are renewing our vows each year at Shavuot, again, also known as Pentecost.

And like a bride who has taken on the name of her husband, we are told not to take the name of Yehovah in vain. That is, we do not become His Bride only to keep dragging His name back down into the bog of idolatry we have been delivered out of. Instead, we are to renew our vows to keep those same laws spoken to us and given to us at Mount Sinai that Yehshua said were the two greatest Commandments. To love Yehovah which are the first four and to love your fellow man which are the last six.

Yehshua Himself told us:

15 If you love Me, keep My commandments… 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. (John 14:15, 21)

I have now provided you with a sound basis and solid foundation by which to more closely and critically examine this word “weeks,” and with a much greater chance of you arriving at an accurate conclusion. In addition, I have shown you that “weeks” means the “Feast of Weeks”—also called “Shavuot.” I have also helped you come to understand how this is a very special time when we make a solemn oath to guard His Commandments in order to remain in His blessings. That being said let us now begin to understand what is being foretold in this prophecy. Keep in mind as we go forward that this Daniel 9 prophecy has a great deal to do with having broken the oath we agreed to at Mount Sinai and very little to do with the coming of the Messiah. I can’t stress this enough, for most of us have had it so deeply engrained within us to think it is the latter and not the former.

“Seventy weeks are decreed for your people.”

Seventy Shavuots are decreed for your people. A Shavuot is forty-nine days. Therefore, seventy forty-nines are decreed for your people.

70 x 49 = 3,430

Now when the Bible says a “year is as a day” as it does in Ezekiel,365 we then have 3,430 years to reckon with and not the 490 years that most try to rationalize. A Jubilee Cycle is also forty-nine years in length of time in the same way the Feast of Weeks is.

Now how do we prove that these 3,430 years, which are the same as seventy Jubilee cycles are in fact the correct way to understand what Daniel is saying; Seventy Shavuot or 70 weeks? We do so by those things we are now going to explain in the following chapters. By reading what these four verses actually do say and not dropping those sections that do not fit our theory. It all must fit without being forced and we will show you this in the coming chapters.

4 Comments

  1. Paul Collier

    Thankyou again this is a great opportunity to go into the camp and be a coveted house for YHVH help me shabbat shalom Paul to do His word His way

    Reply
  2. Joseph F. Dumond

    Thanks Jan

    Reply
  3. Ricci

    My daughter asked me this week: Mom, why are we counting the Omer? And here Yehovah send you to answer that better than I could ever do. Thank you! Shabbat Shalom 🙌🌿

    Reply
  4. cosmos1947

    J.D .says:“….seventy Jubilee cycles are in fact the correct way to understand what Daniel is saying; Seventy Shavuot or 70 weeks?….. By reading what these four verses [Daniel 9;24-27] actually do say and not dropping those sections that do not fit our theory. It all must fit without being forced … “
    As you know I, ‘cosmos1947’, have regarded your EndTimes interpretation as much more enlightening than the traditional view I was taught for over 50 years by those Church of God sabbatical leaders who influenced both our understandings.
    Directly related to “70 weeks”: that recurring ‘time period’ (be it jubilee cycles or actual 7
    days), may well have startling application to the length of Y’shua’s missionary duration. As you are aware it is normally regarded, as you indeed do, as a 3 1/2 year period…. in my recent re-evaluation erroneously so. That supposed ‘3 1/2 years’ stems from traditional, nowadays controversial, sabbatical-church thinking re Daniel 9:27:- “but in the midst of the week [a Wednesday] the Messiah shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering, via His Crucifixion ” (or, is effectively “cut off”). .
    As a related aside to this your current “70s” or “49s” themes, no doubt you could elaborate on the rationale for both [’”70 weeks” or else “3 1/2 years”] irreconcilable historical perspectives. After-all, both you colleague Nehemiah Gordon and a respected Messianic, Michael Rood, have pedantically dissected this very issue recently. Given your proven expertise in calendrical calculations, I await such an exposé.

    Reply

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