THE FESTIVAL OF WEEKS – SHAḆUOTH – At the Foot of the Covenant Ministries

11^th of the 3^rd month 2018/2019

Shalom all,

Today is… DAY 50!!! We have now come to the day we have been counting to, having counted 7 completed Sabbaths from the waving of the sheaf of the first, as commanded to us in:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:15-17 “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. 17 ‘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 יהוה.”

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:9-12 “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 Shaḇuoth to יהוה your Elohim, according to the voluntary offering from your hand, which you give as יהוה your Elohim blesses you. 11 “And you shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim, you and your son and your daughter, and your male servant and your female servant, and the Lĕwite who is within your gates, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are in your midst, at the place where יהוה your Elohim chooses to make His Name dwell. 12 “And you shall remember that you were a slave in Mitsrayim, and you shall guard and do these laws.”

Each year I highlight various key words and their meanings from these two passages concerning this great day that we are celebrating here today, in order for us to get a clearer understanding of the significance of this Feast; and today is no different, as I will once again show you a few Hebrew words and their meanings, along with the ancient pictographic rendering of these words that give us some wonderful insight into the perfect work of our Master and Elohim, along with our responsibility as a Bride that is making Herself ready for the soon return of our Coming Husband, Redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah.

Most have understood this day as being called ‘Pentecost’, which comes from the Greek word πεντηκοστή pentēkostē – Strong’s G4005 which is an ordinal number which means, ‘fiftieth’.

In Hebrew, this day is known as word שָׁבֻעוֹת Shaḇuoth which is the plural of the word שָׁבוּעַ shaḇua – Strong’s H7620 which means, ‘a period of 7 (days, years)’, which comes from the denominative verb – שָׁבַע shaḇa – Strong’s H7650 which means, ‘to swear, exchange oaths, take an oath, vow’. It is from this root that we get the Hebrew word for ‘seven’, which is the word שֶׁבַע sheḇa – Strong’s H7651.

Having said that, we recognise then that this is, in a manner of speaking, the Feast of Oaths or Feast of Sevens, or better understood as ‘THE FEAST OF WEEKS’, where we are able to joyfully celebrate the Covenants of Promise, that we were once excluded from without expectation and Elohim in the world, but have now, in Messiah, been brought near to and grafted in, by His blood!

We have not only been brought near, by His blood, as celebrated by the blood of the Passover Lamb that was slain, but in celebrating this Feast of Oaths/Sevens/Weeks, we rejoice in the fact that His Covenants of Promise have now been written on our hearts, giving us a firm expectation in our Master, as we work out our deliverance, each and every day, with fear and trembling! Once we had no expectation and were without Elohim, but now, in Him, our expectation is secure!!!

The Hebrew word שָׁבֻעוֹת Shaḇuoth is the first word that I would like to show you; and as we look at this word in the ancient pictographic text we are able to glean a powerful understanding of our reason for rejoicing!

In the ancient pictographic script – שָׁבֻעוֹת Shaḇuoth meaning, ‘sevens, oaths’, looks like this:

Shin – שָׁ:

This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and this also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth, as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food. This can give us the meaning of WORD or Words.

Beyt – בֻ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.

Ayin – ע:

The original pictograph for this letter is and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’. as the eye is the ‘window of knowledge’ and can also render the concept of knowledge revealed!

Waw/Vav – וֹ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying down of the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’.

Taw – ת:

The ancient script has this letter as which is pictured as two crossed sticks, and can represent for us ‘seal, covenant, mark or sign’; as this once again points to the complete work of Messiah in the renewal of the Covenant in His Blood that brings the two Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah together in Him, as One, for He is not only the ‘aleph’, but is also the ‘taw’ – the beginning and the end of all creation!

When we look at these pictographic symbols of the word for שָׁבֻעוֹת Shaḇuoth we can see the message being made clear through this Feast, as it can render for us the following meaning, in terms of the requirements of the Covenants of Oaths being secured by the Blood of Messiah, by which we have now been sealed by His Spirit:

THE WORD OF THE HOUSE HAS BEEN MADE KNOWN AND SEEN (WORD MADE FLESH) IN ORDER TO SECURE US AND SEAL US (FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION)!

In order for us to get to this Feast day of Shaḇuoth we are, as you all know, commanded to count to 50!

In other words, we take note that our Master and Elohim requires us to be a people who can count.

We are to be a ‘counting people’ and as we understand that we are continually reminded how we are to know how to count or else we may be in great danger of being in a place of not understanding His great plans for us, we see how He has taught us to count to 3, which we previously were unable to do when enslaved by false traditions – 3 Days and 3 nights!!!

He also taught us to count correctly to 7 in order to keep His Shabbat and so establish the sign between us and Him forever (Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 20:12,20).

Now that we can count to 3 and 7 – it does not stop there – we learn to take a great step forward in our counting ability by being able to count to 50!

All of these are very important numbers that any child of Elohim ought to be able to correctly count to, as they all point us toward His work of Redemption and Deliverance for us!

Counting requires a concentrated effort and it requires a daily choice of choosing life over death, blessing over curse; and the joy that this responsibility brings must result in our alert ability to call many out of darkness – for we know the times – after all we can now count, aměn!!!

The Hebrew word used for ‘count’, in our instruction to count 50 days to Shaḇuoth, is the word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608 which means, ‘to score, mark as a tally, record, inscribe, recount, celebrate, commune’.

It is used 161 times in the Tanak (O.T), also being translated into English as, ‘tell, told, number, tell me, declared, numbering’.

This Hebrew word סָפַר saphar is the denominative root verb of the word סֵפֶר sepher – Strong’s H5612 which means, ‘a missive, document, writing, book, scroll, letters’, and is used to describe the Book of the Torah!

As we consider the clear importance of this commanded ‘counting period to 50’ we recognise how this is a great season that teaches us to continually be a ‘counting people’ who daily ‘count the cost’ of following our Master and Redeemer, יהושע Messiah. And to be faithful in being a ‘counting people’, we need to realise that we cannot do this without the Word of Elohim – as we are to meditate on His Torah day and night and allow this סֵפֶר sepher or Book of the Torah to lead us each and every day:

Yehoshua/Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.”

If we do not count we cannot be cleansed! To count means to reflect on where we are and repent of our sin and be filled with the Good News of the Kingdom.

The word סָפַר saphar (spelt from right to left is with a סָ – samek, פַ – pey, ר – resh).

Now, when we see these symbols, as written in the ancient pictographic script, we get a wonderful picture of what true cleansing entails, when we ‘count’ as we should:

THE ANCIENT FORM OF WRITING THE WORD “COUNT” – SAPHAR!

Samek – סָ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is a thorn and has the meanings of ‘pierce and sharp’ and can also carry the meaning of ‘a shield’, as thorn bushes were used by shepherds to build a wall to enclose their flock in the night against the attack of predators. Another meaning would be ‘to grab hold of’ as a thorn is a seed that clings to hair and clothing.

The Word of Elohim is sharper than a doubled edged sword and when we find that we do not grab hold of His Word and allow His Word to be our shield of faith, we may find ourselves being pierced through with sin and compromise! Our praise we have for our Master is that in Him we are upheld forever, for He is the shield of our Help, as He Himself took the crown of thorns upon His head, bearing our sin and shame that we may be found to be shielded in Him! It can also give a meaning of ‘turning’, for it is the thorn that turns us away from danger to that which is secure.

Pey – פָּ:

This is the letter ‘pey’, which is pictured as , which is an ‘open mouth’ and carries the meaning of ‘speak and blow’, from the functions of the mouth, and can have the meaning of ‘scatter’ by blowing. It can also mean sword or beard as in things with edges, as well as a region in depicting a place with edges or boundaries. It also can represent that which has been spoken forth from the words of one’s mouth, as being established!

Resh – ר:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief. Our true life of praise unto יהוה, our Head, begins when we fear Him, for He is the beginning of our strength, and true separated praise entails a true fear of the One who is Chief over us!

When seeing the construct of this word for count in its ancient form we have a clear picture of how cleansing entails true repentance through being able to correctly count! This ancient grouping of letters can carry various meanings for us, and in terms of being a people who count, we realise that this can only be done when we:

GRAB HOLD OF THE WORD OF THE HEAD!

This picture, in terms of counting, teaches us that our shield and refuge is in our Head and Master, who teaches us through His Word to number our days and we recognise that When we bring our sins (pictured by the thorn) and confess them (open mouth) to יהושע our Messiah (head of a man); then He is the one who cleanses us!

As we count the cost of following our Master and surrender and submit our lives to His Word that leads us, we then recognise how we are to be hearers and doers of His Word and not simply hearers only!

“Doing” the Word implies a proper obedience, that does what the Master commands us to do and here at Shaḇuoth we are commanded to ‘PERFORM’ the FESTIVAL OF WEEKS to יהוה.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘perform’ comes from the root word עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 meaning, ‘to do, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to observe, to bring about, institute’ and can also mean, ‘celebrate’, which I think is very fitting, as it is truly a great ‘joy’ TO DO the laws and right-rulings as prescribed!

So many today think that it is a huge burden to do what is commanded, yet that is so far from the truth – when we diligently observe and guard to do all He commands us to do – it is a great joy and a delight and not heavy at all!

A derivative of this root is the word מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh – Strong’s H4639 and means ‘a deed, work or acts, accomplishments’. The Acts of the Apostles speaks of the deeds or acts of that which the Apostles did and records their ‘acts’ of obedience.

Our obedience in ‘doing’ or ‘performing’ this Feast should be evidenced with great commitment and joy!

We shall be known by our fruits based on our proper reverence and submission to our Master, which shall be evidenced in our “acts of obedience”, as we walk in righteousness, guarding to do all He has commanded us to do, all the time!!! We are to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:22-25 “And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, 24 for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. 25 But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah.”

As we consider this root verb עָשָׂה asah in terms of our need to ‘perform’ this Feast and be doers of the Word, we recognise that we can only be proper doers if we are in fact looking intently into the Word, and when we see this word in the ancient pictographic script we gain further understanding of what it is to be a proper doer of the Word!

In the ancient pictographic script, the verb עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 which means, ‘to do, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to observe, to bring about, institute, celebrate’ looks like this:

Ayin – עָ:

The original pictograph for this letter is: and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’ as the eye is the window of knowledge.

Sin – שָׂ:

This is the letter ‘sin/shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as: , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth, as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food.

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a man standing with his arms raised up and out as if pointing to something, and in essence carries the meaning of ‘behold’ as in when looking at something very great. It can also have the meaning to ‘breath’ or ‘sigh’ as when looking at a great sight and having your breath taken away so to speak! It also has the meaning of revelation or to reveal something by pointing it out, as well as ‘praise’ through the lifting up of our hands in complete awe and surrender.

When looking at this word עָשָׂה asah in the ancient pictographic form, we are able to further understand how critical it is for us to be doers of the Word and so perform and do that which is instructed for us to do. From this picture, we can see the meaning of:

LOOKING AT THE WORD THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED!

This teaches us that we are unable to DO or PERFORM the Word if we are not looking intently at the Word!

Ok… so we have counted… and having come to Shaḇuoth we are now commanded to perform this Feast!

As we look intently into the clear instructions given to us, in regards to performing the Feast of Shaḇuoth, we take note that a key component of our performing this Feast is one of rejoicing! Yes… rejoicing!!!

The Hebrew root word translated as ‘feast’ is the noun חַג ḥag – Strong’s H2282 which means, ‘a festival, feast, sacrifice, festival gathering, solemnity’, which comes from the root verb חָגַג ḥagag – Strong’s H2287 which means, ‘to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrimage, celebrate a feast, observe a feast, dance’.

This word חַג ḥag – Strong’s H2282 which means, ‘a festival, feast, sacrifice, festival gathering, solemnity’, in the ancient pictographic text looks like this:

Ḥet – חַ:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, and separated from’. As a tent wall, we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Gimel – ג:

This is the letter ‘gimel’, which in the ancient script in pictured as which is ‘a foot’ and carries the meaning to ‘walk, gather, carry’, as clearly referring to the functions of a foot; and it can also give the meaning of a gathering of people, and we know that ‘feet’ in Hebrew speaks of one’s walk and ability to keep the Feasts of יהוה, and represents one’s ‘walk’, and therefore also pictures for us the idea of ‘gathering’.

This word, in its ancient pictographic form, can have the meaning of ‘SEPARATED GATHERING’ and teaches us the necessity of being gathered together as commanded, in order to properly perform the Feasts of יהוה.

The Feasts of יהוה, which includes His Sabbaths, are separated gatherings and cannot be properly performed alone!

We are commanded to rejoice before יהוה and the command to perform this separated gathering is to be done according to the voluntary offering from your hand, which you give as יהוה your Elohim blesses you.

The Hebrew word for ‘rejoice’ is שָׂמַח samaḥ – Strong’s H8055 and means, ‘to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, delight in and be elated’, and can also carry the meaning ‘to brighten up’, giving us the picture how we are to carry His joy as the light of the world and let praise and rejoicing abound! A derivative of the verb שָׂמַח samaḥ is the adjective שָׂמֵחַ sameaḥ – Strong’s H8056 and carries the meaning, ‘glad, joyful, merry, pleased, rejoicing’.

In the ancient pictographic script this word שָׂמַח samaḥ and שָׂמֵחַ sameaḥ looks like this:

Shin – שָׂ:

Mem – מַ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. This also carries for us the picture of washing, as we understand the function of water being that which cleanses us and sustains us, showing us how we are washed and sustained by the Living Waters of the Word! This letter also can represent any liquid, especially blood!

Ḥet – ח:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. As a tent wall, we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

When looking at this word in its pictographic form, in terms of our command to rejoice, we are able to see why we are able to rejoice as we recognise the following:

THE WORD THAT WASHES US HAS SEPARATED US AND SECURED US!

This is a clear reason to rejoice, is it not? For as long as we allow the Word to wash us and keep us clean, we are able to confidently make our boast in Elohim, as we make our boast in Him whom we praise and rejoice in, as we are built up as living stones in the Master; living stones that offer up lives as a daily living offering with rejoicing praise!

This Feast has a clear commanded call for a formal observance of this event, done so with great joy, and even dancing!!!

The text here in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:11 further emphasises this by giving us more insight into how we are to keep this Feast, as it tells us that we ‘shall rejoice before יהוה our Elohim’, which is the Hebrew is written as:

– וְשָׂמַחְתָּ לִפְנֵי יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – ‘v’samachta liphney YHWH Eloheycha’, which literally renders the following meaning:

AND YOU SHALL REJOICE IN/BEFORE THE FACE OF יהוה YOUR ELOHIM

Rejoicing in the face of יהוה – This is a great celebratory command – one which is to be carried out with great enthusiasm and joy – Absolutely no grumbling allowed!!!

Rejoicing in the face, or before the face, of יהוה is done as a great expression of praise and thanksgiving for His loving-kindness and favour; and as we celebrate that which He has given us through the Blood of Messiah, we have much to celebrate!

While this may sound obvious, many still battle with the ‘HOW’ part of faithfully observing this Feast.

So ‘How are we to perform this Feast?’

The text here in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:10-12 tells us ‘how’!

Firstly, we are told that we are to perform this Feast to יהוה our Elohim, ‘according to the voluntary offering from your hand, which you give as יהוה your Elohim blesses you’!

Other translations render this as, ‘with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand which you shall give as יהוה your Elohim blesses you’.

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘according to’ or ‘with the tribute’ comes from the root word מִסָּת missath – Strong’s H4530 which means, ‘sufficiency, enough, tribute, full amount, proportion affordable’.

The Hebrew word translated as ‘voluntary offering’ is from the root word נְדָבָה neḏaḇah – Strong’s H5071 meaning, ‘voluntariness, freewill offering, volunteer freely, willingly’ and comes from the word נָדַב naḏaḇ – Strong’s H5068 meaning, ‘to incite, impel, make offerings willingly, volunteers’.

Tehillah/Psalm 54:6 “Voluntarily I slaughter to You; I praise Your Name, O יהוה, for it is good.”

Tehillah/Psalm 119:8 “Please accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, O יהוה, and teach me Your right-rulings.”

This speaks of our willing choice to offer up our lives in wholehearted devotion to serving our Master – and to do so voluntarily is a great expression of our joy in loving Him as we should, with praise and thanksgiving. This speaks of our eagerness and willingness to freely offer up our lives as a living offering and incite others to do so too!

Therefore, we are able to see the ‘how to’ of keeping this Feast being clearly explained:

YOU BRING WITH YOUR HAND A SUFFICIENT VOLUNTARY OFFERING!

One’s ‘hand’ speaks of that which you do, or that which you have been equipped and enabled to work with, and this Feast therefore calls for one’s hand to be moved to bring a tribute unto יהוה – a tribute that is in accordance to His blessing upon your life!

How has יהוה blessed you? This is a Feast to come and show it by the voluntary offering of your hand!

To do so ‘voluntarily’ is to do so with great joy and not under compulsion:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 9:7 “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not of grief or of necessity, for Elohim loves a joyous giver.”

In Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:16 we are told that a new grain offering was to be brought on Shaḇuoth and the Hebrew word that is used for ‘grain offering’ is מִנְחָה minḥah – Strong’s H4503 and means, ‘a gift, tribute, meal offering, present’.

The ‘minḥah’ offering does not always require blood and is most frequently referred to as the ‘grain offering’, which represents the gift being offered, that was prepared by the hands of the one bringing the gift, and given to the High Priest, to present before יהוה. From this a remembrance portion was taken from the offering and offered up to יהוה, and the rest was set-apart for the priests only.

At Shaḇuoth we wave two loaves of bread, symbolically as the ‘wave offering’ – and this offering of bread is baked with leaven – and this is the ‘Bikkurim’ to יהוה!!! Many have often mistaken the waving of the sheaf of the first, which was celebrated 50 days ago, as being the Feast called Bikkurim, yet today on Shaḇuoth is the Feast of Bikkurim!

The Hebrew term ‘Bikkurim’ is found in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:17, when we are commanded to wave the two loaves of bread on Shaḇuoth, as the word in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:17 for ‘first fruits’ is not רֵאשִׁית rěshiyth – Strong’s H7225, which is translated as first-fruits in the command to wave the sheaf of the first fruits on the morrow after the Sabbath during Matzot (Unleavened Bread), but is – בִּכּוּרִים bikkurim – Strong’s H1601 meaning, ‘first fruits, early ripened thing, ripe fruit’, and comes from בָּכַר baḵar – Strong’s H1069 which means, ‘to bear new fruit, to constitute as first born’.

So, while the omer rěshiyth – sheaf of the first fruits is waved on the morrow after the weekly Sabbath during Matzot, it is 50 days later, on Shaḇuoth, that we in fact wave the בִּכּוּרִים bikkurim – Strong’s H1601 – the first fruits and not just the sheaf of the first!!! So, when the sheaf of the first is waved 50 days prior to Shaḇuoth, the commitment to come and wave the Bikkurim has already been declared before the face of יהוה.

By faith, the sheaf of the first was waved 50 days ago and now, on Shaḇuoth, the produce of that faith is seen in the obedient action of bringing the first fruits and the voluntary offering to יהוה, according to one’s hand, in an acknowledgment of His complete protection and provision!

However, we take note that no portion of this offering was burnt on the slaughter place for a remembrance offering, for no leaven was to be burnt in an offering unto יהוה, and this leaven that is in the bread being waved, is a picture of the ‘good leaven’ of the Kingdom that has permeated the whole body of Messiah, as the old leaven of sin has been cleansed and washed away!

Luqas/Luke 13:20-21 “And again He said, “To what shall I compare the reign of Elohim? 21 “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until it was all leavened.”

This parable teaches us that these three (3) measures of flour that leaven has been hidden in, until all is leavened, is a great picture of the three (3) times a year all men were to go up to Yerushalayim to celebrate the Feasts of יהוה, which collectively would cover all seven (7) Feasts; and this wave offering of the ‘Leavened bread’ at Shaḇuoth is a clear picture of the establishment of a ‘renewed’ Covenant, sealed in the Blood of Messiah and confirmed by the outpouring of His Spirit, so that the 3 witness together – that is the water, blood and spirit – which can also represent the 3 measures of flour:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5: 6-8 “This is the One that came by water and blood: יהושע Messiah, not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the Truth. 7 Because there are three who bear witness: 8 the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. And the three are in agreement.”

In the ancient pictographic script, the word מִנְחָה minḥah – Strong’s H4503 which means, ‘a gift, tribute, meal offering, present’, is pictured as:

Mem – מִ:

Nun – נְ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as , which pictures a ‘sprouting seed’ and gives the idea of continuation or an offspring or an heir, speaking of that which sprouts forth will be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy, and can carry the meaning of ‘new life or renewal, rebirth’.

Ḥet – חָ:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a ‘cutting off’ of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’.

As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. This word can also mean “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

As we look at this word in the understanding of a gift offering or tribute, we can see how this can represent our joy in bringing our lives daily before our Master and Redeemer, as a daily living sacrifice; for here in the ancient script we can see by this Word the Truth of how:

WE, WHO ARE IMMERSED IN MESSIAH, HAVING DIED TO SELF, ARE RAISED TO NEW LIFE IN HIM TO BECOME A PART OF HIS BODY, THAT IS – HIS TABERNACLE, AS PICTURED BY THE TENT WALL, IN ORDER TO OFFER UP THE DAILY PRAISE DUE TO HIS NAME!!!

This can also be understood as:

BY THE BLOOD OF MESSIAH, WE (HIS BODY) HAVE BEEN WASHED, RENEWED AND SEPARATED UNTO HIM AND WE SUBMIT AND GIVE OUR LIVES AS A DAILY LIVING OFFERING!

The minḥah clearly pictures for us today how we are to be a ‘daily living offering’; and with it being a ‘new’ minḥah, we also recognise that from the Hebrew word for ‘new’ being חָדָשׁ ḥaḏash – Strong’s H2319 which means, ‘new, new thing, something new’ and in its primitive root form means, ‘to renew, repair, restore’, how we are to be continually reminded, as Sha’ul teaches us in Romiyim/Romans 12:1-2, to offer our lives as a daily living offering and be transformed by the ‘renewing of our minds’.

The Wave offering:

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘wave offering’ comes from the root word תְּנוּפָה tenuphah – Strong’s H8573 and means, ‘wave offering’. This describes ‘the offering that was lifted up and waved and presented before יהוה’, in a figurative way of giving it or releasing it fully to יהוה; and this carries great significance for us, as we too need to realise that our lives are to be lifted up as a wave offering before יהוה; and that includes everything that we have, as we lift up our hands, in the declaration that all we have is presented to יהוה; and that we now belong to Him, having been bought at a price and betrothed by the Blood of the Lamb!

We have been sealed with His Set-Apart Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “But He who establishes us with you in Messiah and has anointed us is Elohim, 22 who also sealed us, and gave the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”

On Shaḇuoth we wave the two loaves of Bread which represent the secure promise of the two Houses of Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl being brought together as one, in the Hands of our Redeemer, High Priest and King, and it is also symbolic of the two tablets of the witness of the Ten Words that the entire nation of Yisra’ĕl heard in the Wilderness, which were then written on stone as a witness, but now has been written upon our hearts.

With the first two stones having been broken by Mosheh when he came down and saw the perverted worship in the camp, he was required to make two new stones like the first, upon which יהוה would write the 10 Words again.

This was a powerful shadow picture of the renewal that we celebrate on Shaḇuoth!

With Yisra’ĕl, a called out, chosen and betrothed Bride, who broke her marriage vows and covenant with יהוה; יהוה was already declaring His promised provision, by Mosheh having to make two stones like the first, that יהוה had made and upon which יהוה would once again write His 10 words! This prophetically declared that the very Word of Elohim would be made flesh and come down in order to be broken for us, taking on the form of the flesh in order to redeem us from the sinful nature, and ‘make new’ the true witness of His Covenant seal and pledge over us, as His called out and chosen Bride in Messiah, who has now made it possible for His Torah to be written upon the fleshly tablets of our hearts by His Spirit through the Blood of Messiah!

The ‘wave offering’ celebrates the promise of renewal or rather the making of a renewed covenant.

In the ancient pictographic script, the Hebrew word תְּנוּפָה tenuphah – Strong’s H8573 which means, ‘wave offering’, looks like this:

Taw – תְּ:

Nun – נ:

Waw/Vav – וּ:

Pey – פָ:

Hey – ה:

Therefore, we can see that this wave offering of the two loaves is a proclaiming of that which has been renewed, made new, and by these pictures we can see that it declares to us:

THE COVENANT OF LIFE HAS BEEN SECURED BY THE REVEALED WORD WHO IS TO BE PRAISED, or:

BEHOLD THE SEAL OF THE COVENANT THAT IS RENEWED AND SECURED BY THE WORD WHO WAS LIFTED UP AND WHO IS TO BE PRAISED! Or:

BEHOLD THE COVENANT HAS BEEN RENEWED AND WE HAVE BEEN ADDED AND SECURED BY THE REVEALED WORD WHO IS TO BE PRAISED!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 31:31-33 “See, the days are coming,” declares יהוה, “when I shall make a new covenant with the house of Yisra’ĕl and with the house of Yehuḏah, 32 not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Mitsrayim, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares יהוה. 33 “For this is the covenant I shall make with the house of Yisra’ĕl after those days, declares יהוה: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.”

These verses are quoted in Iḇ’rim/Hebrew 8, and what we celebrate on Shaḇuoth is this very promise that has been given by יהוה, our Mighty Elohim – His Torah now on our hearts!!! At Mount Sinai 3000 died as a result of rebellion and on this day at Mount Tsiyon, and the renewal of the Covenant, sealed by the outpouring of the Spirit, 3000 were added to the number of the body that day – a complete restoration of death to life, that His Word proclaims for us who call upon His Name and guard to do His commands! Messiah has renewed the Covenant in His own Blood and secured for us the promise of everlasting life, sealing us by His Spirit and continually intercedes for us as He lifts us up, equipping us to be the wave offering of set-apartness and a faithful Bride!

Shaḇuoth celebrates our Marriage/Betrothal with our Kinsman Redeemer – יהושע Messiah, and the account of Ruth and Boaz is a very powerful and great shadow picture of us being redeemed and betrothed to the King!

It was around the Feast of Shaḇuoth that Ruth lay herself at Boaz’s feet to ask for his protection, and in the same way we come to the feet of the Messiah, the very Bread of Life, and receive His protection.

Bo‘az gave her enough food for her and Na‘omi to see them through until he returned from making arrangements to redeem them together.

This is very symbolic for us, as it is through יהושע Messiah, Our Redeemer, that we are given His Spirit and Word to see us through while He is away making final arrangements for our complete redemption.

We have looked at 7 words in the ancient pictographic script that are used in the instructions regarding the Feast of Shaḇuoth:

1 – SHAḆUOTH (SEVENS/OATHS/WEEKS) 2 – SAPHAR (COUNT) 3 – ASAH (PERFORM) 4 – ḤAG (FEAST) 5 – SAMEAḤ (REJOICING) 6 – MINḤAH (GRAIN OFFERING) 7 – TENUPHAH (WAVE OFFERING)

All of these words are certainly ancient pictures to remember!

I would like us to look at another Hebrew word that I feel is pictured prophetically in this Feast, despite it not being used in the instructions of this Feast.

That word is the Hebrew word Yoḇel – יוֹבֵל – Strong’s H3104 which means, ‘a ram, ram’s horn (a wind instrument) or trumpet’, and is also translated as ‘jubilee’, as it is used to mark or signal the year of release, which would be every 50^th year, which is prophetically pictured through the counting of 49 days with Shaḇuoth being the 50^th day, upon which the Spirit was poured out and the promise of release was sealed upon the hearts of the body of Messiah!

In the ancient pictographic script this word Yoḇel – יוֹבֵל – Strong’s H3104 looks like this:

Yod – י

The ancient script has this letter as which is ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!

Waw/Vav – וֹ:

Beyt – בֵ:

Lamed – ל:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority.

As we consider this word in terms of the announcement of the release that our Master and Elohim came to proclaim we are able to see the following:

THE WORK OF THE ARM AND HAND OF יהוה SECURES THE HOUSE OF THE SHEPHERD!

With the House of the Shepherd being secured by the work of our Master we have the ability to hold fast to the expectation we have in Messiah, as we faithfully wait for the His soon return at the sounding of the Trumpets of Elohim.

The Yoḇel sounded long on Shaḇuoth in the Wilderness of Sinai when Yisra’ĕl heard the voice of יהוה speaking the 10 Words of the Marriage Covenant and on Shaḇuoth in Yerushalayim there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, as the Spirit of Elohim was poured out on the believers!

We are the Dwelling Place of Elohim, which has been secured by the work of His Outstretched Arm and Hand and are no longer slaves to sin but are sons and daughters of the Most-High Elohim!

Galatiyim/Galatians 4:6-7 “And because you are sons, Elohim has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, also an heir of Elohim through Messiah.”

On Shaḇuoth we gather together and celebrate the assurance that we have in Elohim, as being a secured Dwelling Place where He will come and dwell in the midst of; and on Shaḇuoth we collectively celebrate our betrothal to Him, having been sealed with His Spirit in our hearts, giving us the ability to be the continual daily living offering that counts the cost of following our Redeemer, equipped to perform the set-apart service of a faithful priesthood that rejoices in our Master and King!

Shaḇuoth marks the celebration of the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit that we are able to receive by faith, through the Blood of Messiah, being made one in Him. Our responsibility as a called out and chosen Bride, is to walk steadfast in being a daily living offering, and offer up our lives as a voluntary sacrifice, giving Him, who has redeemed us, our all in all!

As we enjoy this Bread Feast of Weeks together, may we be reminded of the sure and promised hope of His soon return and hold fast to that which we have been brought near to….!

May we be faithful as a Bride who makes Herself ready – for all of us here have said the ‘I do’ – therefore let us remember our ‘Marriage vows’ and live accordingly as we walk by His Torah/Marriage covenant now written upon the fleshly tablets of our heart, sealed by His very breath – His very Set-apart Spirit.

In Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:12 we are given further insight in ‘how’ we are to keep this Feast, and in doing this helps us embrace the true heart of voluntary giving with rejoicing!

We are told to ‘remember that we were slaves in Mitsrayim and we shall guard and do these laws’.

The Hebrew word for ‘remember’ is זָכַר ‘zaḵar’ H2142 which means ‘to remember, or be mindful, or bring to remembrance’, from which we get the word זִכָּרוֹן ‘zikkaron’ H2146 meaning ‘memorial, commemoration or remembrance’.

We are to remember that we were slaves in Mitsrayim – in other words we remember that we were once not a people, but now are a people of Elohim! We were bought at a price, by the Blood of Messiah, our Passover Lamb; and this call to remember that we were slaves in Mitsrayim is for the clear purpose of remembering who we are NOW!

We were once a people who were enslaved to the world and held fast under the heavy burdens of false dogmas and vain traditions of man, but now have been delivered from the house of bondage and set free to obey the True Master of all creation!

This verse is very clear – remember that you were once a slave in Mitsrayim, so now you shall obey the Torah!!!

It was on Shaḇuoth that the children of Yisra’ĕl heard the voice of יהוה from Mount Sinai and entered into a Marriage Covenant with the Most-High; and after hearing the Ten Words they said to Mosheh that they would die if they continued to hear the voice of יהוה and said that Mosheh should hear the rest and come and tell them the commands and instructions, which they said they would guard to do! They too had been delivered from slavery and on Shaḇuoth were called to be a ready bride that would guard the Marriage Covenant!

We know that this did not happen and after Messiah came to die for us and set us free from our sin and enslavement to the world, we come now to Shaḇuoth where we remember that were once gentiles in the flesh, without Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Yisra’ĕl and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no expectation and without Elohim in the world, but now in Messiah יהושע we who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

With this remembrance is the clear reminder that we are to guard and do His Word!

Romiyim/Romans 6:17-18 “But thanks to Elohim that you were servants of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.”

We have been set free to serve! Set free from sin and enslavement to sin and lawlessness, in order to serve in righteousness – which is to guard to do all He commands us to!

Shaḇuoth is a time to remember and rejoice in our freedom, and do not use our freedom as a cloak for evil, but rather to serve Elohim:

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:15-16 “as free, yet not using your freedom as a cloak for evil, but as servants of Elohim.”

Galatiyim/Galatians 5:13 “For you, brothers, have been called to freedom, only do not use freedom as an occasion for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Shaḇuoth marks the celebration of the Torah written on our hearts and we who were once enslaved, now have a law to live by!

It was on Shaḇuoth that the taught ones in Yerushalayim received the Spirit that they were told to wait for; and so, we rejoice in the assurance we have as having received a spirit of adoption – and we now have a Father who loves us and has set us free from sin and lawlessness!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now יהוה is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of יהוה is, there is freedom.”

יהושע tells us in Yoḥanan/John 8 that if we stay in His Word then we are truly His taught ones and we shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set make us free, for if the Son makes us free we will be free indeed! Free to obey – for His Spirit is given to us as a pledge and assurance that we are His:

Romiyim/Romans 8:15-16 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim”

We who have turned to the Master and have had the veil of deception removed from our eyes are now able to look intently into His Torah – a Torah of Freedom – and not be hearers only but also doers of His Torah of Freedom!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:25 “But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah.”

Remembering that we were slaves in Mitsrayim and having been delivered from bondage to sin and lawlessness, we are reminded to not go back to that which we have been delivered from:

Galatiyim/Galatians 5:1 “In the freedom with which Messiah has made us free, stand firm, then, and do not again be held with a yoke of slavery.”

Do not go back to Mitsrayim!!!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Mitsrayim for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, nor seek יהוה!”

We do not shrink back but press on in the Truth as we fix our eyes on our Master, by staying in His Word and guarding the Torah with joy! This feast is not only a historical event that took place in the desert or in Yerushalayim – this is His Appointed Time – a Feast that has been fulfilled by the work of יהושע Messiah and it shows us how we are to walk and live before יהוה today.

Remember! This is a big part of properly celebrating this great day of Shaḇuoth!

It is with this call to ‘remember’ in mind that I would like us to take a look at one more word in its ancient pictographic form… and that is of course the Hebrew word זָכַר ‘zaḵar’ H2142 which means ‘to remember, or be mindful, or bring to remembrance’, which is pictured as follows:

Zayin – זְ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as , which is a mattock (a sharp digging tool such as an axe or pick) and carries the meaning of ‘a weapon or tool that cuts, farming instrument’. A mattock would be a tool that was also used to dig up the soil so that seed could be planted. This picture clearly pictures a tool that is used to work and therefore can also render for us the meaning of work or a work that is done, and more specifically, the harvest that is brought forth!

Kaph – כְ:

The ancient form of this letter is meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’. The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape. The hand also speaks of one’s work, or under whose hand you submit and obey!

Resh – ר:

As we consider this root word that is understood as ‘remember’, in its pictographic form, we are able to glean the following:

THE HARVEST WORKED BY OUR HEAD!

This is such an awesome picture for us to consider, in our remembering that we were slaves in Mitsrayim and shall guard the Torah of our Master and Elohim!

There are a number of powerful images that we can glean from this root word in its picture form as we take note that the harvest has been secured by the work of the Hand our Elohim, our Head, יהושע Messiah! This is exactly what we are celebrating today… Our Head and Saviour has worked redemption for us and He is the Master of the harvest!

This day calls for us to remember that we were once slaves to sin and destruction, but now are free and ready to serve, as workers in the harvest.

In our remembrance we recognise that He who has begun a good work in us shall perfect it until the day of יהושע Messiah, Our Head and Master of the Harvest, who is coming for His redeemed and ready Bride!

This call to remember is a call to not turn back to old ways but keep our eyes fixed on our Head and be diligent in working out our deliverance with fear and trembling, not shrinking back but pressing forward in great joy as we fix our eyes upon Him, working unto Him and being His workers in His harvest field!

We, as ambassadors of His reign have a clear commission to go and make taught ones, and in our remembrance that we are no longer slaves but servants, we also must remember that the harvest is ripe!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 9:37-38 “Then He said to His taught ones, “The harvest truly is great, but the workers are few. 38 “Pray then that the Master of the harvest would send out workers to His harvest.”

This day of remembrance must remind us of the work that is still to be done!

Yoḥanan/John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and the harvest comes’? See, I say to you, lift up your eyes and see the fields, for they are white for harvest – already!”

These words are extremely important for us to remember, as we take note that we are now in the 3^rd month and from the 3^rd month to the 7^th is what…4 months!!! From Shaḇuoth to Yom Kippur, when the harvest will be gathered, is 4 months and in our remembrance, we should not sit back and wait for better days, as we have a clear mandate and commission to work the fields!

This picture of remembrance teaches us to not give up!!

Luqas/Luke 9:62 “But יהושע said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the reign of Elohim.”

This pictographic rendering of the word that means ‘remember’ teaches us that we are to put our hand to the plough and keep our eyes on our Head! This is how we remember that we were once slaves, so that we remember who we are now, in Him, our Head!

And this is what this day celebrates, in remembrance of His work of deliverance over your life!

This day, as you remember who you NOW are in Messiah, is a day where you can now appropriate your remembrance, as you present a ‘HARVEST OF YOUR HAND TO THE HEAD!’, bringing a voluntary offering of your hand as יהוה blesses you! How has יהוה blessed you? The harvest of your hand to the Head declares the ‘how’!

Many ancient pictures to remember, helping us celebrate with understanding this great day of Shaḇuoth!

On Shaḇuoth we also wave the two loaves of Bread before יהוה, symbolising the two Houses of Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl, coming together as a perfect Bride – a body being made whole through the Blood of Messiah – rid of sin and filled with the Good News – His Torah – that has permeated the entire batch and is now presentable as a Bride ready for her King; as a body/community of Believers living in unity in His Word and are so mixed in to each other, living as One.

Shaḇuoth is also considered as being referred to as the ‘First trumpet’, as the announcing of the betrothal is sounded, is connected with the marriage union between יהוה and His people! The Last trumpet will sound on Yom Kippur when our Husband, Master, Redeemer and King shall come out of the Most Set-Apart Place to trod the winepress and destroy His enemies, and then gather His Bride to Himself!

It is at Yom Teruah that we hear the sound of the awakening blast and have a ‘remembrance of Teruah’ – that is a remembrance of the Trumpet sound that we are betrothed and the Bride had better be ready, dressed and with lamps filled with oil!

It is on Shaḇuoth that we celebrate the renewal of the Marriage Covenant and how we are now called to stay in the Word and guard to do His laws, for this is how we live set-apart lives unto the Master!

As we consider the powerful events that took place on this day – the first Shaḇuoth after the ascension of Messiah, where the Spirit of Elohim was poured out on those who were gathered for the celebration of Shaḇuoth and were all with one mind in one place, and they saw tongues of fire and there was a mighty sound from heaven, and the pouring out of His Spirit of promise was made evident by what was witnessed by all who were gathered and as a result, as a I mentioned earlier, 3000 were added to the body that day, as Kěpha declared to those who asked what they needed to do – to which he responded: “repent and be immersed in the Name of יהושע Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit” – this promise is to as many as יהוה our Elohim shall call!

This day marks the celebration of this gift that we are able to receive by faith, through the Blood of Messiah, being made one in Him.

Our responsibility as a called out and chosen Bride, is to walk steadfast in being a daily living offering, and offer up our lives as a voluntary sacrifice, giving Him, who has redeemed us, our all in all!

As we enjoy this Bread Feast of Weeks together, may we be reminded of the sure and promised hope of His soon return and hold fast to that which we have been brought near to….!

May we be faithful as a Bride who makes Herself ready – for all of us here have said the ‘I do’ – therefore let us remember our ‘Marriage vows’ and live accordingly as we walk by His Torah/Marriage covenant now written upon the fleshly tablets of our heart, sealed by His very breath – His very Set-apart Spirit.

This is a day to rejoice, Bride of Messiah, and perform this Feast with great rejoicing and the voluntary offering of your hand, remembering that you are no longer a slave to sin, but have been set free from sin in order to serve the Living Elohim!

As we do the wave offering of the Bread, let us rejoice and celebrate this Feast day in complete unity in the Master!

Let us blow the shofar and let us celebrate our marriage with our Messiah, aměn!

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and give you favour; יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you peace!