Blessing Israeli Believers May 2021

Shavuot (Pentecost) Evening May 16-May 17

Dear Disciples of Messiah Yeshua and friends of Blessing Israeli Believers,

Once again, I am reminded that our true and living Savior Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) operates by His calendar. His appointed times in the Bible not only point us to history (His-story) in the past—but also the present and our eternal future with Him!

This season of Shavuot (Pentecost) was initially a holy day for acknowledging and thanking the LORD for the ingathering of the wheat harvest. A counting began from the previous barley harvest of first fruits. You may remember our recent letter that featured passages regarding Messiah Yeshua—the Firstfruits of the Resurrection. He rose from the grave on Firstfruits, and 50 days later is Shavuot. This ingathering is also called “a first fruits” and some call it the Second First Fruits. This simply means that the children of Israel were to bring the first part of both their barley and wheat harvests and offer them to the Lord in thanks for His faithfulness.

“And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end.” (Exodus 34:22)

‘And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed.” (Leviticus 23:15)

Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God with the
tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the
Lord your God blesses you.” (Deuteronomy 16:10)

Also significant, included in the Shavuot offerings to the LORD were two leavened loafs of bread instead of the previous unleavened bread elements of ceremony of the Passover Feast.
Remember, leaven often pictures sin in the Bible. This fulfills the LORD’s prophetic plans to unite into “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15) two previously separated groups—both marred by sin—now purchased by the blood of the Passover Lamb Messiah Jesus!

Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the Lord. (Leviticus 23:16)

It is often overlooked that in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit made this the most special Shavuot ever, not only were there Jews—but also Gentile proselytes to Judaism present who were saved that day (Acts 2:10)! Three thousand were saved and the international ingathering of precious souls that began that day would soon expand all around the world!

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41)

Then after the long hot summer, the final ingathering would take place at the Fall Feast of Tabernacles. That time of final harvest is quickly approaching and then there will be no time for harvest. While we have a little time—may we truly celebrate our Salvation in Messiah Yeshua and remember to take His gospel to the Jew first and then to the Nations!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

An Update from Ezra & Shulamite, Northern Israel
Praise & Prayer
Sunday morning is our time to gather and pray for the unborn and their mothers. Please join us in prayer for the lives of these children here in Israel and around the world.

How fitting that we were able to finally gather together on Pesach (Passover) to celebrate freedom and life. We were limited on the number of people that night but thankful that number has now been raised so we can all meet together.

The group of Holocaust Survivors is growing smaller as many are coming to the end of the days allotted to them on this earth. Many of those who are no longer with us received Yeshua as their personal Messiah while they still had breath but a few did not which breaks our hearts. Please pray that the rest of them would have their eyes and hearts open to see and receive Yeshua.