Give to God first. Leviticus 23:9-22 Physical labor is a gift from God so that, through a man's effort, the ground will produce its bounty for our use. A seed is planted in prepared soil, and hundreds of seeds are gathered as God applies the multiplying principle from the life of one seed. Therefore, the children of Israel would not forget how their lives were sustained; God designated a special holiday. This holiday occurs the day after the Sabbath, on the first day of the week during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. When the barley was ripe in the fields, a group of leaders, along with a large company of observers, would traditionally go to harvest some of the grain, then wave the sheaves of barley before the Lord and present a grain (gift) offering.
That was meant to remind them of God's provision and to us of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. He is the "first fruit of resurrection." He was raised from among the dead, distinct from being raised at the "resurrection of the dead." This was new to the disciples, who believed in the doctrine of the resurrection, as did most of the Jews. Now we understand that those "in Christ" will be raised first from among the dead at the church's rapture, just as our Lord was.
At the feast of first fruits, the sheaf of barley was first offered to the Lord, who provided the harvest from His abundance. A burnt offering of worship, praise, and grain was presented to the Lord first. Then, all across the nation, the barley harvest could begin, and the sound of joy from the reapers would mingle with the noise of hope from the planters as they previously moved across the fields.
When the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead, there was joy and wonder as those who saw Him, heard Him speak, and were with Him realized that "death cannot keep its prey." When a "corn of wheat" goes into the ground and dies, abundant life results from that death. The power of God releases the life He has stored in such a small space, and from that, much blessing comes to us.
It is no wonder the Feast of First Fruits was a designated day to remind the children of Israel of the blessing of life emerging from death. On the first day of the week, we, too, remember that we have received life through the death of Christ. "Because He lives, we shall live also." What a blessing! There was no leaven in that grain offering because "in Him is no sin." The day the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead was when the Feast of First Fruits was celebrated. The Passover speaks of redemption; the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasts seven days, reminds us of righteousness and purity; and now, the feast of First Fruits points to us to resurrection—all beginning the spring holiday season, directing us, and them, to the blessings that flow from the gracious provision of the Lord. We must heed the command to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Fifty days later, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) was celebrated on the first day of the week. This marked the end of the barley harvest and the start of the wheat harvest. The people of Israel were very happy about the barley harvest. Now, they could openly thank God for the upcoming wheat harvest.
This is a blessing we have as God's people, gathered by the Holy Spirit and united with Christ as those who are "in Him." Death, burial, and resurrection have been completed. We have been "crucified with Christ," yet we live a new life in Him. The Church is the Body of Christ, and although we are still in the flesh and prone to sin at times (there was leaven in the two loaves that were offered), this does not prevent us from being confident that we are "accepted in the Beloved."
We can stand before God because of the value of Christ's blood shed for us, the virtue of His finished work, and His sinless perfection. This Feast of Weeks, or Feast of Pentecost, marked the end of one season of holy days. It also signified the end of one harvest and the start of another that is still ongoing today.
Even though we are a "new creation in Christ Jesus," with gifts given by the Holy Spirit, and our standing in Christ is secure, there is still the problem of evil within us. The leaven in the bread reminds us of that truth. So, the seven lambs "without blemish" were brought along with the bull and two rams. One goat was for a sin-offering because of the leaven. Two lambs were for peace offerings so we could enjoy communion with God. Then, all the burnt offerings rose as a sweet savor of Christ to God.
The coming of the Holy Spirit and His indwelling in the believer does not eliminate sin. He empowers us to recognize when we sin, understand what we need to do about it, and learn how to handle sin. Spiritual power does not erase the presence of a sinful nature that tends to sin, but the blood of Christ has atoned for sin. In God's eyes of legal justice, the problem of sin has been resolved.
The grain left on the edges and corners of the fields does not mean that only a few Gentiles will be brought in during this harvest time of the age of grace. It was a practical way of providing welfare for the poor and those with no place to get food. There may be a hint of a pattern in that those around us are sanctified by those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Why can't we start harvesting today, Father? The grain looks good and ready." The young voice inquires because the seeds are full and seem ripe. But the one who has worked hard to plant the seed knows only God gives the increase, and the first fruits belong to God, who is the only One capable of making such bountiful fields. We are privileged to labor in His field, but we know that God puts life in the ground. We can dig deep to prepare the soil for the seed, but life is found only in God. We can carry water to nurture the seed, but it is God who sends the sunshine and the heat. We can do only a little within our limits, knowing that God gives us the harvest to reap.
To give God the first and the best is the only reasonable response to consider. Anything less would be insulting to Him and His grace toward us. He is the One who grants life; it is our privilege to offer Him what belongs to Him. He holds the keys to all life and can use them as He pleases. New life has come to us from Him, who died in our place and is truly alive forevermore. From His fullness, we received divine life; by His grace alone, our spirits flourish. The joy of a full harvest that brings such blessings to mankind comes from the generous hands of God, who gives according to His wise plan. In this great Body of saints, evil exists; there's no doubt about that, and sin will remain in the Church until we hear His shout in the air. But blessings are given through the saints that are felt all over the earth. We will realize the value of our labor when the harvest is complete.