Modern Israel has a robust wheat harvest each year and there has been very little change in harvest time from ancient Israel to the harvest of modern crops.
The following general information about crops in Ancient Israel is taken from the book Agriculture in Iron Age Israel, By: Oded Borowski
Two main crops in ancient Israel were considered the main food staple of ancient Israel; barley and wheat with barley being the most important. Grain constituted over 50% of the average person’s total caloric intake. Both of these crops came in the spring and were connected to two major feasts; the Feast of First Fruits and the Feast of Weeks. After the Feast of Weeks, most of the harvest was fruit: grapes, olives, dates, figs, pomegranates and numerous fruits, seeds and vegetables of lesser importance.

The Feasts of the Lord Leviticus 23 follow the harvests in Israel. The Feast of Shavuot follows the wheat harvest.

Bread baked in the primitive fashion does not look anything like modern baked bread. This photo was taken in Jerusalem around 1898.

The Feast of Shavuot has not been properly kept according to the instructions of the Torah for the last 2,000 years. All of the Feasts were stopped with the final offering of the Messiah Jesus and the Holy Temple was destroyed by the Romans. Any practices in keeping the Feasts of the Lord are an excellent Bible studies but they hold no redemptive qualities for either Jew or Gentile. Three of the Feasts of Leviticus chapter 23 have been fulfilled in every detail, (Passover, First Fruits, and Weeks).

This Bible study briefly covers the details of the Feast of Weeks.

In the study of the feast in this lesson several words are used to name the feast, all have the same meaning. By studying the feast in three languages; English, Hebrew, and Greek sometimes the name may seem confusing. This feast is called the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot, twewbs, Shavuos, Pentecost, 50 Days.

In preparation to this Feast, Moses wrote to immediately start counting from the day after the Sabbath during Passover to the seventh Sabbath and add one day which would make a total of 50 days. This feast took place on Sunday.

The counting of the days between the offering of the omer to the feast of Shavuot is called counting the omer. Many Jewish people practice this each year.

The quill in this photograph was used by a Scribe to write a Torah. He said it takes more than 15 quills to write the 304,805 Hebrew letters in a Torah Scroll.

וספרתם לכם ממחרת השׁבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שׁבע שׁבתות תמימת תהיינה
עד ממחרת השׁבת השׁביעת תספרו חמשׁים יום והקרבתם מנחה חדשׁה ליהוה

50 Days

The yad, pointer, is indicating where the Feast of Shavuot begins in the Torah. This Scroll was written in the 1800s on deer skin in Iraq.

According to Jewish teaching, the Torah Scroll plays an important role in this feast.

hrwth rpo
Book of the Law

A Torah Scroll consists of the following Books of the Bible:
Genesis tysarb, Exodus twms, Leviticus arqyw, Numbers rbdmb, Deuteronomy Myrbd

This is the longest Torah Scroll we have had in The Scriptorium. It is 138 feet long and The feasts of Leviticus 23 are found near the middle of this Scroll.

Near the middle of this Scroll is Leviticus chapter 23.

Leviticus 23 is the detailed outline for the Redemption of mankind. It covers the entire New Testament.

This is the Chronology of the Feasts of the Lord Leviticus 23. Notice the two groups of feasts separated by a vast time. Thus far it has been 2,000 years since the fulfillment of the last feast.

Shavuot is the third feast

This Hebrew English calendar wheel shows the months in which each feast occurs.

Because the Feast of Shavuot centers around the Word of God, the following photograph is included to show the complete set of Hebrew Scrolls that make up the Word of God in what is called the Old Testament.

This illustration of the Hebrew Scriptures which is called the Old Testament was on display in 2006 in Glen Rose, Texas. The entire Old Testament requires 16 scrolls which make up the 39 books. This group is called the TaNaKh. T=Torah, Law – N=Neviim, Prophets – K= Ketuvim, Writings. The scrolls in the photograph date from the early 1600s to around 1980.

In this photograph the 17th. scroll is the scroll of Esther which was found by itself and needs to be sewn into the larger Scroll which is called the Megillot.

The Tanakh as seen in this photograph is the complete set of Scrolls that make up the Hebrew Scriptures

The Bible is full of visual aids and the one most dearly loved by the Children of Israel is the Torah. The Torah plays a prominent roll in the Feast of Shavuot.

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. Deuteronomy 31:24-26

ויהי ככלות משׁה לכתב את דברי התורה הזאת על ספר עד תמם
ויצו משׁה את הלוים נשׂאי ארון ברית יהוה לאמר
לקח את ספר התורה הזה ושׂמתם אתו מצד ארון ברית יהוה אלהיכם והיה שׁם בך לעד

After each time God spoke to Moses, Moses started writing the Scroll called the Torah

God told Moses to speak the following words to the Children of Israel.

ועתה אם שׁמוע תשׁמעו בקלי ושׁמרתם את בריתי והייתם לי סגלה מכל העמים כי לי כל הארץ
ואתם תהיו לי ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדושׁ אלה הדברים אשׁר תדבר אל־בני ישׂראל
ויבא משׁה ויקרא לזקני העם וישׂם לפניהם את כל הדברים האלה אשׁר צוהו יהוה
ויענו כל־העם יחדו ויאמרו כל אשׁר דבר יהוה נעשׂה וישׁב משׁה את־דברי העם אל יהוה

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Exodus 19:5-8

Many Jewish people believe that the words spoken in Exodus 19:5-8 was the wedding vow between God and the Children of Israel. This is probably correct.

It is imperative that the Children of Israel read the book of Galatians in the New Covenant to properly understand this feast and their relation to God and this marriage.

How long would a marriage last with threats of punishment, death, and separation for the smallest infraction of the laws set down by the groom? We can see it did not last very long with the Children of Israel spending most of their time in exile. It is indeed true that the Children of Israel are the bride of The Lord and that the Law sealed it. But the New Covenant set the bride free to love and serve without fear.

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Hebrews 7:19

Wherefore then serve the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:19-26

The fulfillment of This feast expands the covenant of Law to become the Covenant of Grace

There are very few known Hebrew Scrolls of Daniel the Prophet. The Scroll in the following photographs was produced in Israel around 2007 and came to America the following year. The yad, pointer, is indicating the beginning of the conversation of the Angel Gabriel with Daniel concerning the 70 weeks (70 X 7) or 490 years the Word of God said it would take “to bring in everlasting righteousness”.

There are several ways to interpret these verses depending on if you believe that Jesus is The Messiah, Anointed One” or not. No matter which way you interpret this Scripture you have to admit that the following has not happened yet: “and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness”. Everything in this passage has already happened except that and this will not take place until the “time of Jacob’s trouble”, (Tribulation, Feast of Atonement) is concluded. (Note: See the Feast of Atonement in this series of lessons.)

This is a very rare Hebrew Scroll of Daniel showing Daniel chapter 9 the 70 weeks of Daniel

Daniel chapter 9 verse 24 says what the world has waited for since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden.

HOW will the Earth ever find peace?
Can the law do that? It can’t until the people are eternally changed by grace.

Shavuot - The fulfillment of the Law of Moses is Grace through Jesus The Messiah — Shavuot – The fulfillment of the Law of Moses is Grace through Jesus The Messiah

How can these two mountains, Sinai and Golgotha, be reconciled? If you follow God's word you can see how it happened. — How can these two mountains, Sinai and Golgotha, be reconciled? If you follow God’s word you can see how it happened.

This is a major stumbling block for people who think they can achieve redemption through the amount of righteousness they achieve.

Jesus said:

Compare the Law written on stone and the Law written on the heart.

The fulfillment of the Feast of Shavuot teaches what happened to people who were "born again" as John chapter 3 says. — The fulfillment of the Feast of Shavuot teaches what happened to people who were “born again” as John chapter 3 says.

As this study on the Feast of Shavuot begins, we need to clear up the meaning of the words Pentecost, Weeks, Shavuot, 50.
The following four sentences say exactly the same thing.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, Acts 2:1
And when the day of 50 was fully come, Acts 2:1
And when the day of twewbs was fully come, Acts 2:1
And when the day of Weeks was fully come, Acts 2:1

The Feast of Shavuot, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Pentecost, Feast of 50 are all exactly the same thing only called by different names.

After the Feast of First Fruits which is the resurrection, Jesus told His Disciples to wait for the next feast.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49

והיה אחרי כן אשׁפוך את רוחי על כל בשׂר ונבאו בניכם ובנותיכם זקניכם חלמות יחלמון בחוריכם חזינות יראו
וגם על העבדים ועל השׁפחות בימים ההמה אשׁפוך את רוחי

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. Joel 2:28-29

And when the day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks, Shavuot, twewbs, Shavuos, Pentecost, 50 Days) was fully come,

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
Jesus also told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until this feast took place.
And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:48-49

The Disciples knew how to count the days from the Feast of First Fruits to the Feast of Shavuot.

To completely teach this feast you would have to study all the books from Acts through Jude. Here we will briefly cover just five points.

Five important lessons in the Feast of Weeks, Leviticus 23

The first part of this feast discusses wheat bread baked from the wheat harvest which is taking place.

Just baking bread was a major event, but the joy of having fresh wheat bread overshadowed all the work and it was a time of festivity.

These photos were taken in Israel around 1898 and show the communal ovens. These ovens made very little changes from Moses day to the 20th century.

Just having a loaf of bread was a blessing to everyone's home. — Just having a loaf of bread was a blessing to everyone’s home.

Not every home would have room for their own oven, so most used the communal ovens.

There is only one way for a person who has dedicated their life to Living under the Law of the Torah to accept the new life of living under Grace. That would be if they were true to the teaching of the Law and to not “pretend” to explain a Law away. Rabbinical Judaism has explained away almost every Law of the Torah to evolve with their living conditions. If they were true in their study they would accept the condemnation and desperately seek God’s forgiveness in the Messiah Jesus.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:1-4

It is very difficult for a person that has been living under Law to accept Grace.

Salvation was never intended for one race of people. Adam and Eve and Noah were here long before Abram. Salvation was for all the Earth who would believe.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

After the Feast of Shavuot, the totally Jewish Christian church were commanded to go out to all the world and bear witness of The Messiah. Do not think The Messiah is for the Jews only. Adam and Eve were here long before Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were promised a Savior long before there was a Jewish.

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:13-15

ואיבה אשׁית בינך ובין האשׁה ובין זרעך ובין זרעה הוא ישׁופך ראשׁ ואתה תשׁופנו עקב׃

To be clear that the promises of God to the Jewish nation were not made void with the Feast of Pentecost it is imperative that the New Testament be read with this thought in mind: “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.” Romans 11:1

That Gentiles would find the Grace of God was not clearly understood until it was revealed when God made the New Covenant.

Abraham’s children would loose nothing if a Gentile found God and His Grace through the Scriptures. What would be lost, only self righteousness.

The first Gentile to accept Jesus as his Savior surprised the Jewish believers. Things have sure changed in 2,000 years. Today it surprises a Gentile of a Jewish person accepts Jesus as the Messiah.

Paul said the following about what is really important.

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:3-9

And now, here comes the first Gentile.

It took several miracles to even get Peter to witness to Cornelius, the Gentile believer.

God does not see Gentile Christians as inferior to Jewish Christians. However, many Jewish Christians take a superior attitude and refuse to be called Christians. It is all a matter of semantics. Christian and Messianic have the same meaning, one is spoken in Hebrew the other in Greek.

To be sure none of the promises to the Children of Israel have been taken away with replacement theology. The thinking that their promises now belong to the Gentiles and that God has cast away the Jews is not correct. Read Romans chapter 11 to get a clear understanding of what is happening to Israel at this present time.

None of the promises of God have been taken away from Jewish people who accept Jesus as the promised Messiah.

There was a separation between God’s people and those who knew not God. Gentiles were always invited if they would follow the teachings of God.

And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. Genesis 17:12

ובן שׁמנת ימים ימול לכם כל זכר לדרתיכם יליד בית ומקנת כסף מכל בן נכר אשׁר לא מזרעך הוא׃

And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Exodus 12:48

וכי יגור אתך גר ועשׂה פסח ליהוה המול לו כל זכר ואז יקרב לעשׂתו והיה כאזרח הארץ וכל ערל לא יאכל בו׃

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. Exodus 12:49

תורה אחת יהיה לאזרח ולגר הגר בתוככם