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 thirty six days, which is five weeks and one day of the Omer.
Meditation
Exodus 19:4-6
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Devotional
The people of Israel had seen and were reminded of what God had done to the Egyptians to free them from slavery. It became their founding event, their birthday. The imagery of being carried on eagles’ wings becomes a recurring motif in scripture (eg, Deuteronomy 32:11, Isaiah 41:3; Revelation 12:14). But God warned as an eagle swooped down to deliver them another eagle will sweep them away back into captivity in the future (Deuteronomy 28:49). God and the prophets call on the people to remind the Exodus which becomes a model of all future salvation. In the future, God will raise up a new Moses to bring about a new exodus (eg, judges, prophets, Messiah). Now, the people have arrived at Mt Sinai where God will make a covenant with them. They will be his treasure and possession. Like Adam they will work and keep His house and temple. For they are to be a kingdom of priests and a nation set aside for His purposes. The apostle Peter applies these words to the followers of Jesus, Jews and Gentiles (1 Peter 2:9), anticipating God’s purposes since the call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) to make a new obedient humanity. However, the Sinai Covenant will be broken over and over again. So God will keep the covenant on their behalf and one day write His words upon the hearts of everyone who believes (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:26). We must learn to remember and recall all that God has done for us. Those memories become the source of faith, courage and determination when we face difficulties in our lives. Obedience to God’s instruction assures us that we are doing what we are called to do regardless of our circumstances. You are God’s treasure and His gift to those around you.