Week Four of Counting the Omer

Counting the Omer: Week Four of our New Covenant Reading Journey

Welcome to week four of counting the Omer. Hopefully, last week you were able to catch up on the reading and you have completed (or nearly completed) the Gospels and Acts. Now our journey moves forward as we enter a new “region.” The first letters we will read this week were written to Jewish Messiah Followers and all Messiah Followers in the “commonwealth of Israel." This mirrors the Book of Acts in which we read that the Gospel began in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. The gentile mission is born out of the Jewish mission. All these letters presume knowledge of the Torah and Prophets. As you read James, notice how much of the letter focuses on the morals and ethics of the Torah way of life as presented in passages such as Leviticus 19. You could make the case that the Book of James is a commentary on the first 18 verses of Leviticus 19. May I suggest that the central passage is James 2:1-13 and specifically verses 7-13. One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is at the end of 2:13. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

James begins with considering it joy when you encounter trials (1:3). Peter continues this theme of godly living during trials. Peter accentuates the idea of being a positive testimony of Yeshua during difficulties. He reminds us of the hope we have in Messiah Yeshua even if we are undergoing trials. He focuses on our calling as a priesthood of Messiah and the responsibility we must live like Messiah. (This is what the letter to the Hebrews emphasizes as well. We are part of the priesthood of Messiah. Therefore, let us live that way!) Peter, like James, also quotes a portion of Leviticus 19. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:15-16). He quotes Lev. 19:2. Later he says To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing(1 Peter 3:8-9). This passage summarizes much of the letter.

The letters of John follow suit. A key phrase in the letter of John is “love one another.” Finally at the end of Jude we read the admonition to build ourselves up in the faith and to anxiously await the Lord Yeshua.

All these letters, including Hebrews, encourage us and exhort us to demonstrate godliness in the way we interact with others. They are all based on holiness as it is described in Leviticus 19:1-18. Let us love the Lord and love our neighbor as ourselves. As you read these letters, observe all the relational commands. May our reading transform the way we view different people in our path each day.

Shavua Tov!

Rabbi Howard