Blessing
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.
Barukh atah, A-donai E-loheinu, Melekh Ha-ʿolam, asher qid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu ʿal S’firat Ha-ʿomer.
Count
Today is twenty-two days, which is three weeks and one day of the Omer.
Meditation
Exodus 4:10-17
10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”
Devotional
Moses had a moment of self-doubt being intimidated by the daunting mission to deliver his people from bondage. He blames his mouth as the reason why he shouldn’t be the one. But God is the one who made the mouth and can mutes the man. Moses insisted. And God was exhausted and gave Moses his brother as his spokesman. But Aaron would be a problem in the future when he takes orders from the people to make a golden calf. We must be careful when we doubt ourselves in what God has called us to do. God will provide the help and resources as we need them. It is easy for us to focus on our insecurities and deficiencies and look for someone else to do what our job. But later our crutches, excuses or someone can become a source of unintended and unexpected problems.