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 three days of the Omer.
Meditation
Exodus 4:21-23
21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”
Devotional
God prepares Moses for rivalry with Pharaoh over the possession of his people. They will exchange miraculous demonstrations of power exchanging blows tit for tat with every round going higher and harder as Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh will learn the hard way to whom Israel belongs. Moses is to deliver the divine ultimatum. Failure to comply will have disastrous consequences for Egypt. God’s threat of reciprocal action anticipates the final judgment during the Passover. Israel is God’s son. Hosea will proclaim “Out of Egypt God has called His son” (Hosea 11:1). Those who oppress others degenerate themselves. Be sure God sees any situations in which you face injustice. God will fight your battles if you let Him. Refuse to harm those who harm you. Don’t return insult for insult. Don’t be confused with the oppressor. Others will see your plight and fight on your behalf.